When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv RSS To Send.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily 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’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv RSS To Send
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv RSS To Send.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just 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 expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.