When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Connect My Local Community.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews 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 jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Connect My Local Community
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based on just how somebody registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Connect My Local Community.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a weird insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size tracking requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make extra, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.