When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Marketing Island Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero system costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots 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 typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Marketing Island Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon just how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Marketing Island Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes 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 sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. 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 got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain extra, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with real tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.