When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Async.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I thought that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” 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’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe 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 stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Async
Currently here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator mode– dabbling with sections, using different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension cautions. 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 just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Async.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development 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 visitors into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn much more, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.