If you’re also remotely into email newsletters, you’ve possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something different regarding this platform, something that makes creators like you quit, take a breath, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” The Runway Ventures Beehiiv…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Trying to choose the best e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after almost 10 years helpful people navigate email marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I lastly started and gave Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I really did not simply mess around. I relocated every little thing over. Right here’s why you may wish to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re reputable. They have actually got a clean user interface and a devoted community of writers. However when it involves monetization and target market possession, they falter. Hard.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It sounds awesome on paper, right? Like, extra exposure, more involvement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can not contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever make a decision to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So essentially, you’re developing a checklist … that you don’t have.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop a real relationship. That’s how it ought to be.
The Hidden Expense of Convenience
Currently let’s speak money. Each time a person pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you lose 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re pocketing simply over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That added money accumulates fast, particularly if you’re planning to grow or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to develop a business (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating right into your revenues prior to you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or establishing automations will be a pain … don’t be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: busted kinds, ghosted subscribers, styling problems. Yet with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain warming. Rather than simply tossing your email domain right into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name using their very own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, truly smart.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No fashionable CSV issues. No subscribers disappearing right into the void. Even attaching my website was fine– alright, the designing took a little effort, but hey, no system’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t flawless. However it’s excellent. Really great.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Wish to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly alert you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had actually beautifully written newsletters obtain sliced off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I discovered a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, once you master it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping problem.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It resembles they actually want you to expand your audience. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your present subscribers generate brand-new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Wish to run a free gift? Deal a benefit for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other e-newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Less Headaches
This was just one of the greatest factors I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that links you with genuine enrollers.
Adjustable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for buying traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was currently gaining more than I ever before did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: many newsletter tools do not care about your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past issues
- Personalized kinds, branding and The Runway Ventures Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for the majority of designers, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not just get open and click prices. You get genuine understandings:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral sources are functioning.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every action of your funnel, from form to open to buy. And that type of visibility? Invaluable when you’re attempting to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Could Enhance?
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to grow. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the weird edge situations.
However right here’s the important things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates present based upon user feedback, and that’s a really great sign.
The Bottom Line: The Runway Ventures Beehiiv
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To grow your checklist quickly,
- To keep full possession of your subscribers,
- To actually make money without system charges,
- And to not fight with cumbersome e-mail builders …
After that of course, you ought to absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want innovative CRM automations, maybe look somewhere else. Yet if you’re developing a community, an individual brand name, or an enthusiasm job?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I move my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV headaches right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% fee. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you’ve never established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience ownership, far better monetization tools, no system charges, and more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.