When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Newsletter App.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right 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 provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly 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 renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A few small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter App
Now below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sections, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact created a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Newsletter App.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it solve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn much more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact scale your newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.