When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Can You Sell on Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, 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 Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 basically renting out an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers 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– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can You Sell on Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based upon how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and basic Can You Sell on Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for makers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain extra, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.