When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Ashley’s Inner Circle.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the unusual 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 Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly 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 primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero system costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Ashley’s Inner Circle
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Ashley’s Inner Circle.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by designers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.