When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Subscriber Management.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could actually help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. 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 Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads 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 tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A few small missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Subscriber Management
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going full detective setting– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Subscriber Management.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by designers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.