When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv HubSpot Integration.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve 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 built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv HubSpot Integration
Now below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on just how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 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 advertisements.
A lot of that growth 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 subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv HubSpot Integration.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by developers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn more, and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.