When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Series A.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem 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 tell you– moving to a new system usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Series A
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Series A.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit a weird bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain more, and tension less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.