When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more 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 whole lot to claim– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero platform costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem 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 inform you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference
Now below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in a way that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and straightforward Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.