When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs Medium.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “adhere to” button 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and no platform costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Medium
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– 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 may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume 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 great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in a manner that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Vs Medium.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. 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 quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.