When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Fundraising.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might really help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no system charges (other than the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem 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 new system usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Fundraising
Now here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv Fundraising.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.