When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Kit.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And afterwards 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 ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t 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 inform you– moving to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Kit
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full detective mode– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Vs Kit.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes 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 resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. 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.
Support can be slow when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.