When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Which Is Better, Beehiiv or ConvertKit.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might actually help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “comply with” 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 website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Which Is Better, Beehiiv or ConvertKit
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and easy Which Is Better, Beehiiv or ConvertKit.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by designers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.