When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Journalism.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that 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 assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Journalism
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in a way that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Journalism.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.