When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Kevin Chambers Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that also at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent 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 devices, and zero system fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Kevin Chambers Beehiiv
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and straightforward Kevin Chambers Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain extra, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.