When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Marc Lou Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” switch 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– 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 As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and no system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Marc Lou Beehiiv
Currently here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based upon how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really created a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a way that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, simple and simple Marc Lou Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in 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 circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by creators, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.