When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Knowledge Base.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could actually help expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero system fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations 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.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Knowledge Base
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of 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 user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings possibility, plain and easy Beehiiv Knowledge Base.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants 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 perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an odd insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.