When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv For SaaS Founders.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will 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 embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The largest one? You don’t actually possess 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 app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero platform fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For SaaS Founders
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension 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 because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv For SaaS Founders.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make extra, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.