When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Acquires Swapstack.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact aid expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too 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 list growth tools, and zero system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots 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 system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Acquires Swapstack
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Acquires Swapstack.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.