When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Abuse.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Abuse
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Abuse.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development 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 resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me grow quicker, earn more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.