When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv A/B Testing.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “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 lot to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve 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 required a device that might actually help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your followers.
That “adhere to” 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 straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem 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 inform you– moving to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Linking my customized domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv A/B Testing
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv A/B Testing.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.