When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Neurotechnology News Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest 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 surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no system fees (apart from the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Neurotechnology News Beehiiv
Currently here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based upon how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your perfectly crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and simple Neurotechnology News Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels built by developers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain much more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.