When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv 101.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
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 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 True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv 101
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by someone who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: 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 technique a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv 101.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: 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’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a weird insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and tension less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.