When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner How Do Beehiiv Boosts Work.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out 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 developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could actually help 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 typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly 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 essentially renting out a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero platform charges (other than the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Do Beehiiv Boosts Work
Now right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based on just how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and simple How Do Beehiiv Boosts Work.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development 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 sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.