When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Integrate with Zapier.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could actually help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue 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 one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Integrate with Zapier
Now right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon how somebody joined.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Integrate with Zapier.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize specifically 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’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn much more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.