When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv VAT.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was checking out this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem 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 system generally feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv VAT
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sections, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv VAT.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires 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 excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in 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 probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain much more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.