When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Top Newsletters.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards 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 assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system costs (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Top Newsletters
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on just how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t 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 memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Top Newsletters.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.