When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Greg Isenberg.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might in fact aid expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent 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 biggest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards 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 think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no platform charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Greg Isenberg
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really created a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather 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 ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Greg Isenberg.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth 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 sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it solve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.