If you’re even remotely into email newsletters, you have actually possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something different regarding this system, something that makes developers like you stop, take a breath, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Phil Plait Beehiiv…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Attempting to select the ideal e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after nearly 10 years helpful people browse e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I finally took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just dabble. I moved whatever over. Here’s why you might intend to do the exact same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy interface and a faithful community of authors. But when it involves money making and target market ownership, they falter. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds awesome theoretically, right? Like, a lot more exposure, more involvement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t real subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They don’t get your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So essentially, you’re developing a checklist … that you don’t own.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can build a real connection. That’s exactly how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Now let’s chat cash. Every single time a person pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re filching simply over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system costs. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That extra cash adds up fast, particularly if you’re intending to grow or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to build an organization (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your revenues before you also begin.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re stressed that moving your listing or establishing automations will be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: busted types, ghosted clients, styling problems. But with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and actual assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Rather than just tossing your email domain into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name utilizing their own facilities. It’s wise. Like, actually clever.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No funky CSV concerns. No customers going away into the void. Even linking my website was fine– all right, the styling took a little bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no system’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s excellent. Really good.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably enjoy it. Want to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t always advise you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I’ve had perfectly composed newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I discovered a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size before sending. It’s a bit manual, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll prevent the dreadful clipping issue.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they in fact desire you to grow your audience. Stunning, best?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your present subscribers bring in new ones– and it in fact functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a free gift? Offer a benefit for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other e-newsletters’ target markets. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Fewer Frustrations
This was one of the greatest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform charges. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated advertisement network that connects you with actual enrollers.
Personalized paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for purchasing web traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was currently earning greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: many e-newsletter tools don’t care concerning your landing page. However Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, contemporary homepage
- Archive pages for your past problems
- Custom-made forms, branding and Phil Plait Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for a lot of makers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No untidy DNS configs or busted embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not simply obtain open and click prices. You get actual insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and optimize every action of your funnel, from type to open to buy. Which sort of visibility? Valuable when you’re attempting to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Can Enhance?
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got room to expand. Right here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One form = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be faster on the odd side instances.
However below’s things, Beehiiv in fact listens. I’ve currently seen updates turn out based on customer comments, which’s an actually great indicator.
All-time Low Line: Phil Plait Beehiiv
If you’re a creator, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To maintain full possession of your customers,
- To really generate income without platform fines,
- And to not fight with confusing e-mail home builders …
Then indeed, you must definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, perhaps look in other places. But if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand name, or an enthusiasm job?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Regarding
1. Can I migrate my existing email checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the common Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you have actually never ever established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Target market ownership, far better money making devices, no platform fees, and a lot more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I utilize my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, references, ad networks and paid registrations are all native features.