When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion How To Find Beehiiv API Key.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How To Find Beehiiv API Key
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, using separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s really written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for most developers, 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 (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple How To Find Beehiiv API Key.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.