When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Convert To Beehiiv Kit.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really aid expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think 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 apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Convert To Beehiiv Kit
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in earnings potential, ordinary and straightforward Convert To Beehiiv Kit.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make a lot more, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.