When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Report Abuse.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could in fact help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “follow” switch 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not 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 revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the common Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Report Abuse
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Report Abuse.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by creators, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.