When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Plans.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And after that 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 assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and zero system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain? A few small missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Plans
Now here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not 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 advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Plans.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted 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, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make extra, and stress less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.