When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Typedream.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand 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 drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Typedream
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Typedream.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make extra, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually range your newsletter with real tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.