When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv For Sports.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly 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 primarily renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and no platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Sports
Currently here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s really written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and simple Beehiiv For Sports.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.