When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Future Social Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “comply with” button 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 not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Future Social Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But 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: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think 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 whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and straightforward Future Social Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.