When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Growth Rate.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Growth Rate
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development 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 functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Growth Rate.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn much more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.