When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion What Are Beehiiv Boosts.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform 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 provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “adhere to” 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’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the common Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Are Beehiiv Boosts
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and easy What Are Beehiiv Boosts.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn extra, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.