When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Launch Plan.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Launch Plan
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon how somebody registered.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Launch Plan.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.