When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv RSS Feed.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could actually help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue decides to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv RSS Feed
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv RSS Feed.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn much more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.