When it came time to select a new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Blog Examples.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– 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, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system fees (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Blog Examples
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a 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 actually written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and simple Beehiiv Blog Examples.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.