When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Prompt Warrior Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no system costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Prompt Warrior Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and easy Prompt Warrior Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size tracking needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.