When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Facebook Pixel.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Facebook Pixel
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person joined.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in earnings capacity, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Facebook Pixel.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn much more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.