When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion The Runway Ventures Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: The Runway Ventures Beehiiv
Now here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated 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 coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and simple The Runway Ventures Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
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. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.