When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Inagiffy Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can really assist expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Inagiffy Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet 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, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and straightforward Inagiffy Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems 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 platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.