When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Slack Community.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. Yet 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 trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can actually help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Slack Community
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Slack Community.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, make a lot more, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.