When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Banner Size.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really aid expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe 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 Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system costs (besides the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Banner Size
Now below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning 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 most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a manner that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Banner Size.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.