When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv For Blogging.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could really help expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then 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 would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and zero system costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Blogging
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv For Blogging.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by makers, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.