When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Popehat Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might actually help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 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, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and no system fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Popehat Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in income capacity, plain and basic Popehat Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain much more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.