When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Launchy Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and zero system charges (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Launchy Beehiiv
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and easy Launchy Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, gain much more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.