When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Discover Experts.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards 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 believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and no platform fees (aside from the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Discover Experts
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Discover Experts.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I recognize specifically what cut 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 got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.