When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Young Money Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can in fact assist grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Young Money Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply 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 already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and easy Young Money Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn much more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.