When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Vs Gumroad.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (besides the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots 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 generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Gumroad
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody joined.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a way that does not feel icky or forced. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Vs Gumroad.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.