When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Expert.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never completely get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system fees (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand 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 brand-new system generally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Expert
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot simpler.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Expert.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain much more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.