When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Tip Jar.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might actually aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– 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 stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name 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 new system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Connecting my customized domain? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Tip Jar
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Tip Jar.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain a lot more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.