When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner ConvertKit Vs Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but 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 Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: ConvertKit Vs Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based upon just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But 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, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and straightforward ConvertKit Vs Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
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? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make much more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really range your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.