When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Customer Success Manager.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can really aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 basically renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
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?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system charges (besides the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Customer Success Manager
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone joined.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv Customer Success Manager.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely 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 listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make much more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.