When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Meta Pixel.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials 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 jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Meta Pixel
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on just how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, 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 developed by someone who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But 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 implies your magnificently crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Meta Pixel.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires 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 excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, make much more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.