When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Acceptable Use Policy.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
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 somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound 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 brand-new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Acceptable Use Policy
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 platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? 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 obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in such a way that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Acceptable Use Policy.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking requires better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by designers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, earn more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.