When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Axios Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and no platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Axios Beehiiv
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and easy Axios Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make a lot more, and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.