When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Audio.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 primarily renting out a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system charges (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Audio
Now below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with segments, using different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in income potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Audio.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized 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 awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.