When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Pricing.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
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 site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Pricing
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- 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 bit of a manual procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Pricing.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.