When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion What Is The Annual Revenue of Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I assumed that also in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not really have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no platform charges (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is The Annual Revenue of Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in such a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and basic What Is The Annual Revenue of Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that value 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.