When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Referral.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might in fact aid grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel great.
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 earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no platform charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Referral
Currently right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not 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 even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Referral.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.