When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner How Old Is Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can in fact help expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards 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 would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no system costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Old Is Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and easy How Old Is Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn much more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.