When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Boardbit Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I thought that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually help 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 started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “follow” 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 site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and no platform fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new system generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Boardbit Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped 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 go-to technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for a lot 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% much better than Substack (literally).
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 links creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in revenue potential, plain and basic Boardbit Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a strange bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make much more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.