When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Zapier Integration.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the success and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
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 site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
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 revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots 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 typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Zapier Integration
Now right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person joined.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a way that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Zapier Integration.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain extra, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.