When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Thumbnail.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could really assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no platform costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Thumbnail
Now here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much 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 distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. 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 marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Thumbnail.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a weird bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.