When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion N8 Ventures Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” 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 directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 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, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads 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 tell you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: N8 Ventures Beehiiv
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and basic N8 Ventures Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make extra, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.