When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Vs MailerLite.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact aid expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and no system costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound 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 tell you– moving to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my custom domain? A few small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs MailerLite
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator mode– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a way that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs MailerLite.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.