When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Vs Kajabi.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can actually help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero system fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots 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 brand-new system normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Kajabi
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon how a person joined.
I wound up going full investigator mode– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs Kajabi.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, make a lot more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.