When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv RSS Ingestion.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero system charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t 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 inform you– migrating to a new system normally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv RSS Ingestion
Now here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigative mode– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv RSS Ingestion.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes 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. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain much more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that value 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.