When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Partners.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can actually aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” 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’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the location determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and zero platform charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Partners
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many creators, 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 intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in such a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, plain and easy Beehiiv Partners.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain extra, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.