When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Owner.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that too at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots 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? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Owner
Now below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon just how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sections, using different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers 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.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Owner.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a weird bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain much more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.