When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Lindy Newsletter Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually aid expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name 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 system normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Lindy Newsletter Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and basic Lindy Newsletter Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and really scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.