When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Content Banks Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Content Banks Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and straightforward Content Banks Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.