When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Business Model.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could really aid grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily 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’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Business Model
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Business Model.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs registration? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: 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 got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, earn extra, and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.