When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Vs Contentful.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that as well initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots 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– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Contentful
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Vs Contentful.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn a lot more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.