When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv PopUp.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact aid grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv PopUp
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv PopUp.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly 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 sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.