When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Email Marketing.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might really help expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, 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 stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the common Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Email Marketing
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. 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 intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Email Marketing.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. 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 got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, gain extra, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.