When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Status.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t actually possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not 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– migrating to a brand-new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Status
Now here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Status.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow much faster, earn more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.