When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Email Deliverability.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Email Deliverability
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Email Deliverability.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.