When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Omnisend.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really aid grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then 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 believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots 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– migrating to a new system normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Omnisend
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a way that does not really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Vs Omnisend.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized 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 unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.