When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Community Round.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could really aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Community Round
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Community Round.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.