When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform 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 company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and no system charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, 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 users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial
Currently here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on how someone joined.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s really written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.