When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Tags.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide 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 sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was considering this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” switch 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’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And then 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 believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no system charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Tags
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective mode– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Tags.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn more, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.