When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Newsletter Templates.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could in fact assist expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “adhere to” 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 essentially leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A few small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Newsletter Templates
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody joined.
I ended up going full detective setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Newsletter Templates.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth 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 newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by makers, for makers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain extra, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.