When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Direct Sponsorships.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Direct Sponsorships
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full investigator mode– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Direct Sponsorships.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and really range your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.