When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Garbage Day Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then 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 think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no platform costs (besides the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain? A few small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Garbage Day Beehiiv
Now here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon how a person registered.
I wound up going full detective setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in such a way that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated income potential, simple and straightforward Garbage Day Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, earn a lot more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.