When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Showcase.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might in fact help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and no system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name 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 usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Showcase
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on exactly how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Showcase.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by developers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact range your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.