When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Google Tag Manager.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and zero platform costs (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Google Tag Manager
Now here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Google Tag Manager.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.