When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv FAQs.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can really aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no platform charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv FAQs
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brand names in a manner that does not feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv FAQs.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn extra, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.