When it came time to select a new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Guernsey Consulting LLC Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could actually assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” button 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 renting out a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero system charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Guernsey Consulting LLC Beehiiv
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on how someone joined.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s really written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for a lot 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 (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and basic Guernsey Consulting LLC Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.