When it came time to select a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Getting Started.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to determine 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 honest– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “follow” button 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 leasing an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, 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 users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Getting Started
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly 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 compelled. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Getting Started.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.