When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Matt Mcgarry Course.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really assist grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and zero platform charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Matt Mcgarry Course
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how someone joined.
I ended up going full detective mode– dabbling with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty 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 integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and simple Matt Mcgarry Course.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.