When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Return On Security Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might really assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” switch 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 straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think 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 Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Return On Security Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But 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, style, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your beautifully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual process, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Return On Security Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.