When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion How To Monetize A Beehiiv Newsletter.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might really aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” button 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 straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t 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 believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero system costs (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How To Monetize A Beehiiv Newsletter
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone joined.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated income potential, plain and easy How To Monetize A Beehiiv Newsletter.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, make much more, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.