When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Stripe.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really aid expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location decides to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots 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 brand-new system generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Stripe
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone joined.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right 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?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite 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 (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Stripe.
And when I prepare to release a premium registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth 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 resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.