When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Is Beehiiv Profitable.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might in fact help grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system usually seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv Profitable
Now below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But 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 attaches creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and easy Is Beehiiv Profitable.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, make much more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.