When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Hustlers Outpost Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up 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 developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Hustlers Outpost Beehiiv
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based on exactly how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and simple Hustlers Outpost Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by makers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and really range your newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.