When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Real State.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could actually assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never totally 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 really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash 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 nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no platform costs (other than the common Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers 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 system typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Real State
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Real State.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.