When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Boost Network.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually help grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not actually have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
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 believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and zero system charges (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Boost Network
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s actually created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and easy Beehiiv Boost Network.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.