When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Wit & Wire Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that 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 ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand name 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 new system usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Wit & Wire Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person joined.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and simple Wit & Wire Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, make a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.