When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Virtual Events.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can really assist expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the place determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system costs (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Virtual Events
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Virtual Events.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain extra, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.