When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv NEA.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. 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 e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “adhere to” 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’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (apart from 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 sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Attaching my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv NEA
Now below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and easy Beehiiv NEA.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire 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 generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain extra, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.