When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Boost Earnings.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A few small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Boost Earnings
Now here’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 kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Boost Earnings.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain extra, and tension less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.