When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was searching for a correct partner Bullseye Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might really aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
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 site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place determines to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and no system fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Bullseye Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, using separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your magnificently crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for most 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).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, plain and basic Bullseye Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got 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 unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make extra, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.