When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Designated Account Manager.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that too initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might really aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You don’t really have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Designated Account Manager
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Designated Account Manager.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system 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 system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain extra, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.