If you’re also from another location right into email e-newsletters, you’ve most likely heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something different concerning this system, something that makes creators like you quit, take a breath, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Ms. Beehiiv…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to pick the right e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. However after nearly 10 years helpful people navigate email marketing and two years running my very own newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and provided Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just dabble. I moved whatever over. Below’s why you might want to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a clean interface and a loyal community of authors. But when it comes to monetization and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears trendy on paper, right? Like, extra exposure, more interaction?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “fans” aren’t genuine subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a checklist … that you don’t possess.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can build an actual connection. That’s exactly how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Now let’s talk cash. Every time somebody spends for your newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re stealing just over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform costs. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That extra cash adds up quickly, especially if you’re intending to grow or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to construct a company (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating into your revenues prior to you also start.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re stressed that migrating your list or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You recognize the drill: damaged forms, ghosted subscribers, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking practical videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than just tossing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name using their own framework. It’s clever. Like, really wise.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV problems. No subscribers vanishing into deep space. Even connecting my web site was fine– okay, the styling took a little bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no platform’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t remarkable. Yet it’s excellent. Actually excellent.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re refraining from doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably like it. Want to decrease in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly warn you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had actually perfectly written newsletters obtain chopped off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I located a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a little bit manual, sure, once you master it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping concern.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It’s like they actually desire you to grow your target market. Surprising, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your existing subscribers generate new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a giveaway? Offer an incentive for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Less Migraines
This was one of the greatest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I wished to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform charges. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in advertisement network that attaches you with real enrollers.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for purchasing traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was currently earning greater than I ever before did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: many newsletter devices don’t care regarding your landing page. However Beehiiv? They offer you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern homepage
- Archive pages for your previous problems
- Custom kinds, branding and Ms. Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but for many makers, it’s sufficient. And it just works. No messy DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t just get open and click rates. You get real insights:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every action of your funnel, from form to open up to purchase. Which kind of visibility? Valuable when you’re attempting to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Enhance?
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One form = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss some ecommerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the odd edge instances.
However here’s things, Beehiiv actually listens. I’ve already seen updates roll out based on individual responses, and that’s a truly great indicator.
All-time Low Line: Ms. Beehiiv
If you’re a creator, author, or indie author who wants:
- To expand your list fast,
- To keep complete ownership of your customers,
- To really earn money without platform fines,
- And to not fight with cumbersome email contractors …
After that yes, you need to definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, maybe look elsewhere. However if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand, or an interest task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs About
1. Can I migrate my existing email list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% fee. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever established an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Target market ownership, much better monetization devices, no platform costs, and a lot more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also help you warm it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, references, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.