When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Podcast.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? 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? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Podcast
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Podcast.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized 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 swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, gain extra, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact scale your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.