When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Email Automation.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I thought that also at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform costs (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Email Automation
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigative mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv Email Automation.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain much more, and tension less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.