When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Stocktwits.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might actually assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Stocktwits
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Stocktwits.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.