When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably 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. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on just how a person signed up.
I ended up going full detective setting– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in income capacity, ordinary and basic Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by makers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.