When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Hivemind.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can really help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 primarily renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Hivemind
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated income potential, simple and basic Beehiiv Hivemind.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.