When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Invest in Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system 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 provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually assist 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 started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Invest in Beehiiv
Now below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, plain and basic Invest in Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really range your newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.