When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Boost Marketplace.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no system charges (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Boost Marketplace
Currently right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Boost Marketplace.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn extra, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.