When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv For Business.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could really help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and no system costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Business
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on just how someone registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv For Business.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development 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 resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.