When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv For Health.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually help expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and no platform charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Health
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based on how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your perfectly crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv For Health.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, earn extra, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.