When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Phishing.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and no platform fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Phishing
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how someone signed up.
I wound up going full detective setting– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Phishing.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every issue? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.