When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Acquisition.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact assist grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Acquisition
Now below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Acquisition.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.