When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Is Beehiiv Legit.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could really assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess 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 app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and zero platform charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings 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 inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv Legit
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Is Beehiiv Legit.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make extra, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.