When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Extended Trial.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero system charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers 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 system typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Extended Trial
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going full detective setting– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in a way that does not feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and simple Beehiiv Extended Trial.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by creators, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.