When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Jesse Pujji.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional 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 great deal to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could really help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Jesse Pujji
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, 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 complicated to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Jesse Pujji.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
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 option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.