When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner DLVR Logistics Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I believed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform fees (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: DLVR Logistics Beehiiv
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon just how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and simple DLVR Logistics Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, make much more, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really scale your e-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 might fall in love like I did.