When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Branding.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and no platform charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers 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– migrating to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Branding
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your beautifully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many designers, 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 (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Branding.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
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 full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn extra, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with real 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.