When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Academy.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain 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 needed a tool that could actually aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and no platform charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Academy
Now here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on just how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many 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 (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and simple Beehiiv Academy.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.