When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Vs Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the location chooses to let the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. 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 inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Beehiiv
Now here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Vs Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a strange insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.