When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Bright Leads Media Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe 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 True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots 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 new system typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Bright Leads Media Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and easy Bright Leads Media Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply 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.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated 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 most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-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 target market
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.