When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv VICE.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I thought that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can in fact aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location chooses to let the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no platform charges (other than the common Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv VICE
Now here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on just how a person joined.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a way that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv VICE.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. 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 obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.