When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Big Desk Energy Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain 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 needed a device that might actually assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common 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 audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and zero system costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Big Desk Energy Beehiiv
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority 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% better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and easy Big Desk Energy Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make much more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.