When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Examples.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might really assist expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really have your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily 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’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system charges (other than the usual Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Examples
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Examples.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make much more, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.