When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Newsletter Directory.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that too initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can really aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really own 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 straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (apart from the common Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter Directory
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone joined.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much 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 marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Newsletter Directory.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, 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 listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by developers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.