When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv GitHub.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could really aid grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact own 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 app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really 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 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 True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system costs (other than the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand name 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 new system typically seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv GitHub
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon just how a person registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
However 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 magnificently crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for many developers, 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).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv GitHub.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item 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 slow when you struck an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, 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 real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.