When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Systeme.io.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You will get 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 needed a tool that can actually assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Systeme.io
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Vs Systeme.io.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know precisely what reduced 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 have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by developers, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, make more, and tension less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.