When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Is Beehiiv Safe.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I thought that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to say– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that might actually help expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not really have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv Safe
Now here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and straightforward Is Beehiiv Safe.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain extra, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.