When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Nicholas Agardy.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system 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 service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact assist expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Nicholas Agardy
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon just how someone joined.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your beautifully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Nicholas Agardy.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn extra, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.