When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner What Is Beehiiv Boost.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email 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?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and no system charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is Beehiiv Boost
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based upon how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in income potential, simple and simple What Is Beehiiv Boost.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.