When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Custom Pricing.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem 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– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Custom Pricing
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective mode– playing with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in income capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Custom Pricing.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really 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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.