When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Design.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could really assist grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Design
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for a lot of 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% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Design.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.