When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Header Image.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, resolve 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 constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never fully reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set 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 list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Header Image
Currently here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in income capacity, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Header Image.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain extra, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.