When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Zoominfo.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “follow” 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 not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings 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 inform you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Zoominfo
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon how someone registered.
I ended up going full detective setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Zoominfo.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make a lot more, and tension much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.