When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Free Trial.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Free Trial
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based on just how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Free Trial.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.