When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can actually aid expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” button 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and zero system fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make much more, and tension less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.