When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Affiliate Commission.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform 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 provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, 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 stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no system charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Affiliate Commission
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigator mode– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Affiliate Commission.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.