When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Referral Program.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact assist expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers 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 primarily leasing an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and no platform charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Referral Program
Now here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based upon how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Referral Program.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make extra, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.