When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Boost Your Podcast with Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact assist expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Boost Your Podcast with Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sections, using different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and basic Boost Your Podcast with Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.