If you’re even remotely right into e-mail newsletters, you have actually most likely heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various about this system, something that makes makers like you stop, take a breath, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” The Stories Beehiiv…
I have actually been exactly where you are. Attempting to pick the appropriate email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. However after nearly 10 years of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and two years running my very own e-newsletter, I finally took the plunge and gave Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just dabble. I moved whatever over. Here’s why you could want to do the same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re reputable. They have actually got a clean interface and a faithful community of writers. But when it pertains to money making and audience possession, they falter. Difficult.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds amazing on paper, right? Like, extra presence, more involvement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “fans” aren’t genuine subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can’t call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So primarily, you’re constructing a list … that you don’t own.
Now compare that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop a real connection. That’s how it needs to be.
The Hidden Expense of Convenience
Now let’s speak money. Every time somebody pays for your newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 client? You’re swiping just over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That added money adds up fast, specifically if you’re preparing to grow or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to build an organization (even a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your revenues before you also begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re stressed that migrating your checklist or setting up automations will be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: busted types, ghosted clients, styling headaches. But with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you need it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One point that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of simply tossing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain utilizing their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, truly wise.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No funky CSV concerns. No subscribers going away into deep space. Even connecting my website was great– all right, the designing took a little effort, however hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s excellent. Actually excellent.
You can drag, drop, design, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re refraining anything as well design-heavy, you’ll most likely like it. Wish to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had wonderfully composed newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I located a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size before sending. It’s a little bit hands-on, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll stay clear of the feared clipping concern.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It’s like they in fact desire you to grow your audience. Stunning, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present customers bring in brand-new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Want to run a giveaway? Deal a bonus for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Cash, Less Headaches
This was just one of the largest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated advertisement network that attaches you with real sponsors.
Customizable paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring website traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was already gaining greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: most e-newsletter tools do not care about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive pages for your past concerns
- Personalized kinds, branding and The Stories Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for most makers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No untidy 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 obtain open and click rates. You get real insights:.
Where customers came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every action of your funnel, from kind to available to purchase. Which type of visibility? Valuable when you’re trying to grow intentionally.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to grow. Below’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit rigid. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the strange side instances.
However below’s the thing, Beehiiv in fact listens. I’ve already seen updates turn out based upon user comments, and that’s an actually good indication.
The Bottom Line: The Stories Beehiiv
If you’re a designer, writer, or indie publisher who wants:
- To grow your checklist fast,
- To maintain full possession of your clients,
- To actually make money without platform penalties,
- And to not battle with confusing e-mail home builders …
After that of course, you need to absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire advanced CRM automations, maybe look elsewhere. However if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand name, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing email checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV problems right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Simply the standard Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you’ve never ever set up an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market possession, far better money making tools, no system charges, and a lot more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my very own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also help you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.