When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Headquarters.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I thought that as well initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really aid grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t actually 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 generally renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and no system fees (other than the common Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Headquarters
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Headquarters.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make more, and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.