When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv API Access.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv API Access
Now here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon just how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv API Access.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn more, and tension much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact range your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.