When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Freelance Opportunities Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Freelance Opportunities Beehiiv
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon just how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, plain and simple Freelance Opportunities Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, earn extra, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really range your newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.