When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Best Newsletters on Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that as well in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch 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’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero platform fees (besides the normal Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not 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 brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain name? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Best Newsletters on Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based upon how someone registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really created a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in a way that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and simple Best Newsletters on Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, make more, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.