When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Header Size.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You will 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 embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could actually aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, 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 stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Header Size
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person registered.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of 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).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Header Size.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really range your newsletter with actual 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.