When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Is Beehiiv or Substack Better.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could actually assist grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform costs (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand 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 new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv or Substack Better
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in a way that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and basic Is Beehiiv or Substack Better.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth 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 transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by designers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make extra, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.