When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Newsletter Operator Course.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and no platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations 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 leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Newsletter Operator Course
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and straightforward Newsletter Operator Course.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really range your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.