When it came time to select a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Inform Stakeholders.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I thought that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system 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 company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really assist expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” 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 essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Inform Stakeholders
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in such a way that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and basic Beehiiv Inform Stakeholders.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: 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 got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by designers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn extra, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.