When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Is Beehiiv An Autoresponder.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact assist expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and absolutely no system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv An Autoresponder
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Is Beehiiv An Autoresponder.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.