When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Jacob Hurd Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really help grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place determines to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and no platform charges (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Jacob Hurd Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and easy Jacob Hurd Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.