When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Course.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I believed that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly 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 an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform charges (apart from the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain name? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Course
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and straightforward Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Course.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling 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 generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.