When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Japan Nightlife Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve 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 embeded 2013. I required a device that can really assist grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Japan Nightlife Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in a manner that does not feel nasty or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and straightforward Japan Nightlife Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and tension less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.