When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Pay What You Want.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might actually aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots 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– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Pay What You Want
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and simple Beehiiv Pay What You Want.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make much more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.