When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Special Offer.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero system charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews 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 tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Special Offer
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect 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 complicated to customize welcome series based upon how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Special Offer.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that feels built by makers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn extra, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.