When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Calculator.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help grow 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 contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and no platform fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Calculator
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going full detective setting– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Calculator.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. 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 got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really range 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 might fall in love like I did.