When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Support.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually aid grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only activate if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and no platform costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand 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 new platform normally feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Support
Now here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Support.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually scale your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.