When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Users.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really aid grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Users
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Users.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.