When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Demo Video.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform charges (other than the common Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Demo Video
Now here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on just how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually created a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Demo Video.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, gain extra, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.