When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Hire Experts.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and no system fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Hire Experts
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on just how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full detective setting– playing with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s integrated income potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Hire Experts.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, make extra, and stress less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.