When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Flight Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact aid expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero platform charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Flight Beehiiv
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brand names in a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, simple and basic Flight Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs subscription? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain much more, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.