When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Impressions.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really help grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no system costs (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Impressions
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Impressions.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make much more, and tension much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.