When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Local Newsletter Summit.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can really help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly 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’t export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
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 nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no platform fees (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Local Newsletter Summit
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with segments, using different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in such a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Local Newsletter Summit.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.