When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Double Opt In.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could in fact aid grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Double Opt In
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going full detective setting– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s really written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Double Opt In.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: 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 have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.