When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Best Beehiiv Newsletters.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might in fact aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch 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 straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and no platform costs (besides the common Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots 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 system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Best Beehiiv Newsletters
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon how someone signed up.
I ended up going full investigative setting– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brands in a way that does not feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, plain and simple Best Beehiiv Newsletters.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically 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 customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.