When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Google Ads.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform fees (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Google Ads
Currently below’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Google Ads.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.