When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Make Money.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Make Money
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on just how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, using different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Make Money.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.