When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Newsletter Builder.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could really assist expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 basically renting an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no system costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter Builder
Now below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Newsletter Builder.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced 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 personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.