When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Code Block.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might really assist grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Code Block
Now here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
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 companion network attaches designers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Code Block.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make much more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.