When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Custom Pages.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and zero platform fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Custom Pages
Currently right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how a person registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Custom Pages.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I understand specifically 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 have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, make more, and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.