When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Hide From Feed.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was checking out this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero system fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Hide From Feed
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how a person joined.
I ended up going full detective mode– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Hide From Feed.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.