When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Jack Raines Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact help expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
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 earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, 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?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no system costs (aside from the common Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name 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 new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Jack Raines Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon exactly how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, plain and basic Jack Raines Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually 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 awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by developers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.