When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Benefits.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact help grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Benefits
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in such a way that does not feel icky or forced. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Benefits.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced 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 personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make extra, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.