When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv GPTEA.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually help expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development tools, and zero system charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv GPTEA
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate 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 difficult to customize welcome sequences based on how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated income potential, plain and basic Beehiiv GPTEA.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by designers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and tension much less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.