When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Meaning.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The biggest one? You don’t really 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 site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no platform costs (other than the common Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Meaning
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brand names in a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Meaning.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.