When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Success Stories.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could really aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button 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’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location decides to allow 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 income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Success Stories
Now below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full detective mode– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your perfectly crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most 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% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Success Stories.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually 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 turn your visitors into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
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 choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.