When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Publications.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might in fact help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “follow” 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 website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that 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 think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no system fees (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? 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? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Publications
Now right here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Publications.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain extra, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.