When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Newsletter Pricing.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can really assist expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location determines to let the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, 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 stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter Pricing
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because 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% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Newsletter Pricing.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. 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 quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by makers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.