When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion How To Make Money with Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might really assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots 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– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How To Make Money with Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on exactly how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and simple How To Make Money with Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.