When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Terms and Conditions.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually aid grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The largest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Terms and Conditions
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get 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 new subscribers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% 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 links makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Terms and Conditions.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by designers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.