When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Bronze Tier.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that too at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can actually help grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Bronze Tier
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Bronze Tier.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by designers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, make a lot more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.