When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Amitsarda Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system charges (aside from the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots 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– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Amitsarda Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator mode– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply 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 instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brands in a manner that does not feel icky or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and basic Amitsarda Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.