When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv 30 Day Free Trial.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system fees (aside from 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 robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv 30 Day Free Trial
Now here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv 30 Day Free Trial.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it address every problem? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain extra, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.