When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Newsletter Reviews.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision 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 straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter Reviews
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Newsletter Reviews.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.