When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Growth System.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no platform costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Growth System
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full detective mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and basic Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Growth System.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.