When it came time to pick a 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 virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Forms.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really help grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “follow” switch 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 not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and no system fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem 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 inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Forms
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
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 big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves 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 added over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and simple Beehiiv Forms.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, make much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.