When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Pros and Cons.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You will 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 needed a device that can actually assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots 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– migrating to a new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Pros and Cons
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Pros and Cons.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for makers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain extra, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.