When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner GrowLetter Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t 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 just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards 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 ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: GrowLetter Beehiiv
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigative setting– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and basic GrowLetter Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn more, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.