When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Silver Tier.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Silver Tier
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon just how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Silver Tier.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make extra, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with actual devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.