When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Multiple Publications.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up 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 built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Multiple Publications
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
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 large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Multiple Publications.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires 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 hit a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.