When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Import Subscribers.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system 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 device that might really aid expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The largest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
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 not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the normal 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 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– migrating to a new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Import Subscribers
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on just how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Import Subscribers.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets 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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.