When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner ChatGPT Central Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact assist grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase 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 money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: ChatGPT Central Beehiiv
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and easy ChatGPT Central Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make much more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.