When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner The Neuron Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could actually assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform costs (besides the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: The Neuron Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward The Neuron Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.