When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Ad Network.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best 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 developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “follow” switch 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 not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Ad Network
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in such a way that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Ad Network.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.