When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Price.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get 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 needed a tool that might actually aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The largest one? You do not really have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too 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 development tools, and no platform charges (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand 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 usually seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Price
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Price.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn much more, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.