When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Identity Is Not Verified.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might actually aid grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start showing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no platform costs (besides the common Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Identity Is Not Verified
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a rabbit hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Identity Is Not Verified.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it solve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain extra, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.