When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Merch.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can actually help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and no system fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Merch
Now right here’s where things got 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 only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Merch.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.