When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Custom Fields.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might really help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. 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.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Custom Fields
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Custom Fields.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development 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 transform your visitors into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.