When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Inactive Subscribers.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that as well initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could really assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the place decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no system costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets 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 leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Inactive Subscribers
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sections, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a way that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, simple and basic Beehiiv Inactive Subscribers.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn much more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your newsletter with real devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.