When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Matt McGarry.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually aid grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Matt McGarry
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based upon just how somebody registered.
I wound up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Matt McGarry.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by makers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.