When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade 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 a correct partner Beehiiv Discount Code.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never completely reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and zero system fees (in addition to the common Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Discount Code
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on just how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche 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 growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in income potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Discount Code.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.