When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Review.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can really help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and zero platform costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Review
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Review.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.