When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv AppSumo.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can really help grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually 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 website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv AppSumo
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, plain and simple Beehiiv AppSumo.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: 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 personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires 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 slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size tracking needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.