When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Media Collective.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform fees (other than the common Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Media Collective
Currently here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. 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 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Media Collective.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
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 solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.