When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Best Practices.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out 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 built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help expand my checklist and make some money 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 typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch 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’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Best Practices
Currently below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Best Practices.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make extra, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.