When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Netter News Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Netter News Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and straightforward Netter News Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.