When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Jay Shetty.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really aid grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never completely reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Jay Shetty
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on how somebody registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Jay Shetty.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, earn much more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.