When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Creator Network.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that too at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can actually aid grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand name 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 brand-new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Creator Network
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in a manner that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Creator Network.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: 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 customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.