When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Bad Astronomy.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Bad Astronomy
Now here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based on just how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t 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 even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Bad Astronomy.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth 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 turn your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.