When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Logo PNG.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not really have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly 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 not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Logo PNG
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in 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 strategy a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Logo PNG.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size tracking needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain much more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.