When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Logo SVG.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the unusual traits. 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 sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could actually assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and no system costs (besides the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Logo SVG
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– 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 may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
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 implies your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Logo SVG.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
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 possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make extra, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.