When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Above The Hollow Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can really assist grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Above The Hollow Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on exactly how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and straightforward Above The Hollow Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.