When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Series B.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that also in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really help grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and no system costs (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Series B
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s really written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Series B.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.