When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Network.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually help grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– 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 fully reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d 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 out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Network
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income potential, simple and basic Beehiiv Network.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly 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 list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, make more, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.