When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Substack Vs Medium Vs Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could actually aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
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 site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good 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 tools, and no platform fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Substack Vs Medium Vs Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on how a person joined.
I wound up going full investigative setting– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and easy Substack Vs Medium Vs Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for creators
Will it resolve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.