When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Vs AWeber.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily 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 not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (besides the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound 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 tell you– migrating to a new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs AWeber
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a 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 slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Vs AWeber.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets 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. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn more, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.