FAQs about direct sponsorships

Direct sponsorships are an extension of the beehiiv Ad Network, giving you another way to monetize your newsletter by selling ad placements directly to brands you choose. You can build a custom storefront, receive inbound requests from your direct sponsorship partners, and create branded proposals — giving you full control over your sponsorship strategy. With built-in Stripe payments and a streamlined workflow, there’s no need for external invoicing.

This article answers frequently asked questions about using direct sponsorships in beehiiv. Looking for info on the Ad Network? Check out our Ad Network FAQs.

beehiiv is always evolving and introducing new updates to continuously enhance the power of the platform. These direct sponsorship features are coming soon:

• Option to hide the price of a product in your storefront.
• Customization tools for your storefront using the new website builder.
• Manual ad slot blocking and improved availability management.
• Ability to reorder your storefront products.

Follow our Product Updates to stay up to date on the latest feature releases.

What is the difference between the beehiiv Ad Network and direct sponsorships?
Direct sponsorships give you full control: you create your own ad products, set pricing, and work directly with brands you choose. With the Ad Network, beehiiv brings you pre-negotiated campaigns on a CPM and CPC basis from partner advertisers, based on your eligibility. For best results, you can use both to diversify your monetization strategy.
Where can I access direct sponsorships in the beehiiv app?
From your dashboard, go to Monetize > Ads > Overview (under Direct Sponsorships).
How do I set up my custom storefront??
Start by creating your first product. Then go to Monetize > Ads > Storefront builder and toggle on Enable Storefront.




You’ll be asked to enter an email address where potential sponsors can reach you — add your email, click Confirm, and you’re all set. 🎉.



How do I share my storefront link?

Once your storefront is enabled, you’ll find your custom link on the Direct Sponsorships > Overview page. Click Copy to share the link directly with potential advertisers.

You can also add the link to your website’s navbar so sponsors visiting your newsletter can easily access your storefront.





Is there an example direct sponsorship storefront page that I can view?
Yes! Check out how Creator Spotlight set up their direct sponsorship storefront. 

What notifications will I receive for direct sponsorships?

You’ll receive in-app and email notifications in the following scenarios:

• An advertiser accepts a proposal.
• An advertiser declines a proposal.
• An advertiser submits an offer via your storefront.
• An agreement is scheduled to run that day.

To update your preferences, see our guide on how to manage notifications from beehiiv. 

What if an advertiser doesn’t complete their payment?
If payment hasn’t been completed, the proposal will remain in a draft state on the advertiser’s side. You won’t see the proposal in your dashboard until payment is successfully submitted.
Can I take bookings on beehiiv but invoice advertisers separately using my own system?
No. All direct sponsorship proposals and bookings must be completed through beehiiv’s platform.
How do I hide product pricing on my storefront?
This feature is coming soon.
Can I send a web-only or email-only direct sponsorship?

Yes. You can create direct sponsorships that are either web-only or email-only.

We recommend aligning with the advertiser beforehand to ensure expectations are clear.

Can I contact advertisers I previously worked with in the Ad Network to offer direct sponsorships?
No. beehiiv does not share Ad Network advertiser contact information.

Do I need a Stripe Express account for direct sponsorships?

Yes. Direct sponsorship payments are processed through the beehiiv Wallet, which requires a Stripe Express account.

To use any monetization or growth tools on beehiiv, you’ll also need to complete Stripe Identity Verification. Learn more in our guide on types of Stripe accounts in beehiiv.

I accepted a booking request but now I need to cancel it. What are my options?

Go to the Booked tab in your direct sponsorship dashboard to cancel the request. You can issue either a full refund or a partial refund:

With a full refund, the advertiser will not be charged, but you will incur a processing fee.





With a partial refund, you choose the amount to refund. Processing fees apply to the refunded amount.





My ad says completed, where can I view the details?

Go to the Completed tab of your direct sponsorships dashboard. Then, click the green Completed badge next to the ad you want to review.





You’ll be taken to a detailed report for your ad. By default, you’ll be on the Overview tab.





 

Click into the Reports tab to view performance data and reporting details.

Who does the advertiser pay directly, me or beehiiv?
Advertisers pay beehiiv directly, and we pay you. beehiiv serves as the Merchant of Record for all direct sponsorship transactions, which means we also handle applicable VAT (value-added tax) obligations.
How do taxes work on direct sponsorship transactions?
Since beehiiv is the Merchant of Record, we handle VAT calculations and tax collection from advertisers according to our tax obligations. You receive your payout net of any applicable fees.
How can I minimize fees when using direct sponsorships?

If the advertiser submits a proposal via your storefront, they can only pay by card, which is subject to Stripe processing fees.

To reduce fees you can initiate the proposal instead. This gives advertisers the option to pay via bank transfer, which generally carries lower fees than card payments.