When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Lucrative Unicorns Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that too initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Lucrative Unicorns Beehiiv
Currently below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really created a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and easy Lucrative Unicorns Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development 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 viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, gain much more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.