When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv For Web 3.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was considering this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
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 revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no system charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Web 3
Now below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv For Web 3.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by designers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, make a lot more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.