When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Vegan Tech Nomad.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could actually aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
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 website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and no system fees (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vegan Tech Nomad
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a manner that does not really feel icky or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Vegan Tech Nomad.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.