When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion How Do I Switch From Substack To Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The largest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Do I Switch From Substack To Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and straightforward How Do I Switch From Substack To Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn extra, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.