When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Gated Content.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that too initially. However 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 quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that 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 think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no system charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Gated Content
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on just how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv Gated Content.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with actual devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.