When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Deliverability.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will get 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 grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “follow” switch 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 not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Deliverability
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– playing with segments, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over 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 wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brand names in such a way that does not feel nasty or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Deliverability.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.