When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Valuation.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that too initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “adhere to” 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 directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform normally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Valuation
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on just how a person signed up.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money since for the majority 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% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Valuation.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.