When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv API Key.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can in fact help expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv API Key
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv API Key.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.