When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv or Substack.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get 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 embeded 2013. I required a device that can really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name 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 system usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv or Substack
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv or Substack.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes 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 readers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.