When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Assistant Editor.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could actually aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The biggest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (besides the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces 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, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Assistant Editor
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Assistant Editor.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.