When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Mission.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that also at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have 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 application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, 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?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Mission
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone joined.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Mission.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.