When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Katherine Rundell Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero system charges (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots 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 brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Katherine Rundell Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, plain and basic Katherine Rundell Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.