When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Scam.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Scam
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based on exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and basic Beehiiv Scam.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes 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 right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.