When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Thumb Financial Services Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can in fact assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button 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 directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
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 assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Thumb Financial Services Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on just how a person signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward Thumb Financial Services Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: 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 personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain a lot more, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.