When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Notion.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– 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, Yet Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem 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– moving to a new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Notion
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Notion.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.