When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Embed Audio.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no system fees (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. 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 normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Embed Audio
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most 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% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Embed Audio.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn much more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.