When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv For Podcasters.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up 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 developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might in fact assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and zero platform costs (other than the common Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Podcasters
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with sections, using different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really created a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated 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 originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv For Podcasters.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make extra, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.