When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv TWIST.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and no system costs (aside from the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains 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.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv TWIST
Currently here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative mode– dabbling with sections, using different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s really created an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– 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 newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv TWIST.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I understand exactly what reduced 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’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make extra, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually range your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.