When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Patreon.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Patreon
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how someone joined.
I wound up going complete detective mode– dabbling with segments, making use of different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Vs Patreon.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn much more, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.