When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Delivery Deferred.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting 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 required a device that could actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero platform charges (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Delivery Deferred
Currently here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
Yet 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 large.
That means your beautifully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Delivery Deferred.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by developers, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.