When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Can You Make Money Off of Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can You Make Money Off of Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone joined.
I ended up going full detective mode– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Can You Make Money Off of Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, gain extra, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.