When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Chatbot Assistant.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
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 assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Chatbot Assistant
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how someone subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sections, using different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Chatbot Assistant.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn extra, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.