When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv or Klaviyo.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision 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 sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could actually assist expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv or Klaviyo
Currently here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-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 lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, plain and simple Beehiiv or Klaviyo.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn extra, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really scale your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.