When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Nonprofit.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can actually assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– 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, But Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no system charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. 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 inform you– moving to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Nonprofit
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Nonprofit.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.