When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Markdown.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can really aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– 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 completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Attaching my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Markdown
Now right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigator mode– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular 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 advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income possibility, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Markdown.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, make much more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.