When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Footer.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might really help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “follow” button 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 straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
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 revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the usual Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots 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– moving to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my custom domain? A few minor missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Footer
Currently below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Footer.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.