When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Vs Memberful.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can actually help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and no platform fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots 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 brand-new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Memberful
Now here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a way that does not really feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Vs Memberful.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really sets 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. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, earn extra, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.