When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Does Beehiiv Integrate with ConvertKit.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can in fact aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly 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’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the common Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Integrate with ConvertKit
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and basic Does Beehiiv Integrate with ConvertKit.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.