When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Image Size.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And then 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 believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and absolutely no system charges (other than the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand 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 brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Image Size
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on exactly how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
However 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 big.
That means your perfectly crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. 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 currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Image Size.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make extra, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.