When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Can You Sell Products on Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could actually help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can You Sell Products on Beehiiv
Now below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a way that does not feel icky or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Can You Sell Products on Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
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.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.