When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Reddit.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Reddit
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s really written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of developers, 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 (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, plain and simple Beehiiv Reddit.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for developers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.