When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv OpenSea.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really aid expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch 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’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great 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 growth tools, and absolutely no system costs (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv OpenSea
Currently here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in income potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv OpenSea.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.