When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Facebook Ads.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could actually aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You do not actually 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 application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Facebook Ads
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in such a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Facebook Ads.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size tracking requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.