When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Alternatives.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Alternatives
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon just how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a way that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Alternatives.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make extra, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.