When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Jacob Wolf Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and zero system fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Jacob Wolf Beehiiv
Currently below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Jacob Wolf Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.