When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Revenue.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I believed that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best 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 truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Revenue
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, plain and basic Beehiiv Revenue.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.