When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Analytics.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really aid expand 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 comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– 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, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound 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– migrating to a brand-new system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Analytics
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for most developers, 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 ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Analytics.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-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 ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.