When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Mailchimp.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might actually assist expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and zero platform fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain? A few minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Mailchimp
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install 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
Little a manual process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather specific 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 development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and simple What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Mailchimp.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make extra, and tension less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.