When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Concierge Onboarding.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards 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 assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Concierge Onboarding
Now below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? 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: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv Concierge Onboarding.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make extra, and tension less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.