When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Languages.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I thought that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really aid grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. 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.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Languages
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv Languages.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, gain a lot more, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.