When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Segmentation Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that 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 think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Segmentation Beehiiv
Now below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually created a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brands in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and simple Segmentation Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.