When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Icon.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up 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 fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, 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 out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Icon
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Icon.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, earn much more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.