When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion UConn WBB Weekly Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I thought that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
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 preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks 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 fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
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 platform fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand 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 new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few small missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: UConn WBB Weekly Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on exactly how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for a lot 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% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and simple UConn WBB Weekly Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by designers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make extra, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect 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.