When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Withdrawal.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will get 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 device that could in fact help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 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 Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Withdrawal
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers 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.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Withdrawal.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, gain much more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.