When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Prequel Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that as well initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You will 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 embeded 2013. I required a tool that can actually help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t 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 phase where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform costs (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Prequel Beehiiv
Now below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I ended up going full detective mode– playing with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and easy Prequel Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
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 creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn more, and tension much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.