When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Upgrade Page.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best 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 truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could actually aid expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not really have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then 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 think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and no system charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers 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 normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Upgrade Page
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% 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 marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s built-in income potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Upgrade Page.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by designers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.