When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Advanced Analytics.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might actually help grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You do not really have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue chooses to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Advanced Analytics
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on just how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Advanced Analytics.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn extra, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.