When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Social Integrations.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might really help grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no system costs (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots 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– moving to a new system generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Attaching my customized domain? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Social Integrations
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s 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 links creators with brands in a manner that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Social Integrations.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.