When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Crunchbase.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision 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 honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “adhere to” 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’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the common Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations 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.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Crunchbase
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based on how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Crunchbase.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes 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 transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.