When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv SEO.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv SEO
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone signed up.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv SEO.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.