When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion How Many Users Does Beehiiv Have.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Many Users Does Beehiiv Have
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete detective mode– dabbling with segments, using different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and basic How Many Users Does Beehiiv Have.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.