When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv SPF.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You don’t really have your followers.
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 website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the place determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv SPF
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
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 really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income potential, simple and simple Beehiiv SPF.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, gain more, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.