When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Vine University Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could actually aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name 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 new system typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Vine University Beehiiv
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in a way that does not feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and straightforward Vine University Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every problem? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.