When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv and Zapier.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv and Zapier
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon just how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in income possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv and Zapier.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets 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. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.