When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Documentation.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and zero platform costs (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots 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– moving to a new system normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Documentation
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon just how a person signed up.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv Documentation.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth 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 advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.