When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Advertise on Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Advertise on Beehiiv
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
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 connects creators with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and easy Advertise on Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a weird pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.