When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Systeme.io.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily 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 primarily renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Systeme.io
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and straightforward What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Systeme.io.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make extra, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.