When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Can I Use Beehiiv as a Blog.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might in fact aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can I Use Beehiiv as a Blog
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and basic Can I Use Beehiiv as a Blog.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: 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 have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.