When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv YouTube Referral Program.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might really help grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv YouTube Referral Program
Currently right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, using different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv YouTube Referral Program.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by developers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, gain more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.