When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Newsletter Operator Podcast.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume 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 Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and zero system charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Newsletter Operator Podcast
Now here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator mode– playing with sections, using different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and simple Newsletter Operator Podcast.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with actual tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.