When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Paid Newsletter.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The biggest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and no platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Paid Newsletter
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s in fact created a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Paid Newsletter.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and tension much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.