When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Time Magazine.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that also initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem 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– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Time Magazine
Currently below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Time Magazine.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by designers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn more, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.