When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Vs SparkLoop.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might actually aid expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A few minor missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs SparkLoop
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs SparkLoop.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, earn much more, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with actual tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.