When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Expert Directory.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I believed that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain name? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Expert Directory
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon just how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
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. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv Expert Directory.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make much more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.