When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Carrd Integration.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand 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 new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Carrd Integration
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Carrd Integration.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make much more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.