When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Inbox Collective Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might really assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and no system costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Inbox Collective Beehiiv
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not 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 individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue capacity, plain and easy Inbox Collective Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.