When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner The Tech Buzz Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might actually help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The largest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system charges (apart from the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers 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 typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: The Tech Buzz Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of 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 may get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a way that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and easy The Tech Buzz Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain a lot more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.