When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Giveaways.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could actually assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and zero system costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Giveaways
Now here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Giveaways.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: 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 have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make much more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.