When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Are Beehiiv Boosts Worth It.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will get 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 stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system typically seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Are Beehiiv Boosts Worth It
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and simple Are Beehiiv Boosts Worth It.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.