When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Geneseo Espanol Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I thought that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can really aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Geneseo Espanol Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet 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 individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in a manner that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and simple Geneseo Espanol Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll get: 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 got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.