When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Advanced Email Capture.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero system costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A few small missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Advanced Email Capture
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most creators, 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 (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Advanced Email Capture.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.