When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Bevoho.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really aid grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t really have your followers.
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 website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Bevoho
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Bevoho.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.