When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Templates.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can really assist grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain name? A few small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Templates
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, 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 tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone signed up.
I wound up going full investigative mode– dabbling with segments, making use of different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel nasty or required. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Templates.
And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and really scale your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.