When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Jidoka Pixels Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Jidoka Pixels Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or required. It’s built-in income potential, simple and simple Jidoka Pixels Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app signals (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 selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, gain much more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.