When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Stock.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no system costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Stock
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person joined.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Stock.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a weird bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.