When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv iOS App.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the success and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the money 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 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 stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots 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 typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv iOS App
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used 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’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and straightforward Beehiiv iOS App.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by designers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn extra, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.