When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Gold Tier.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero system charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Gold Tier
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on just how somebody joined.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, simple and basic Beehiiv Gold Tier.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: 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 have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make much more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.