When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Digital Asset Investor Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and no system charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. 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.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Digital Asset Investor Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and easy Digital Asset Investor Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels built by makers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.