When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Open Source.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and zero platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Open Source
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody joined.
I ended up going full detective mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, 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, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Open Source.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply 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 slow-moving when you struck a strange bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and tension much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.