When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Roadmap.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out 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 needed a device that might in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great 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 tools, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Roadmap
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really 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 get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for many 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% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Roadmap.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.