When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Polls.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could actually help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “follow” button 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 not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no system costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances 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 plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Polls
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because 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% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income possibility, plain and easy Beehiiv Polls.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, earn more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.