When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Tiers.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really aid expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (apart from the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Tiers
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped 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 dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Tiers.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.