When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Plan Types.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal 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 service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually aid expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero system charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting 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 name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Plan Types
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Plan Types.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I recognize 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 customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things 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 weird insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make much more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.