When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Who Uses Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can actually assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” button 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Who Uses Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and simple Who Uses Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand specifically what reduced 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 obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.