When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner How To Migrate From Substack To Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: How To Migrate From Substack To Beehiiv
Now below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s built-in income possibility, plain and basic How To Migrate From Substack To Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.