When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Swapstack.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the victories and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can in fact help grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue chooses to let 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 an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots 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 brand-new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Swapstack
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in income capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Swapstack.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an odd insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.