When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv 3D Analytics.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers 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 generally renting out an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no system costs (aside from the common Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv 3D Analytics
Now here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv 3D Analytics.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size tracking needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain extra, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.