When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Webinars.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal 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 honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The biggest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place determines to let the group see you. Does not feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no system costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Webinars
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person joined.
I ended up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Webinars.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.