When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv For Journalism.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really assist grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Journalism
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone joined.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and easy Beehiiv For Journalism.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn a lot more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and really range your newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.