When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv PitchBook.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I assumed that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv PitchBook
Now below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv PitchBook.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: 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 have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain much more, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.