When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Community.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact aid expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Community
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I wound up going full detective setting– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and easy Beehiiv Community.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: 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 have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.