When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Editor.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might really help grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail 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 out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Editor
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also 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 functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Editor.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.