When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Can You Create a Blog on Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might really assist grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans 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 essentially leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots 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 brand-new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can You Create a Blog on Beehiiv
Now here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on how someone registered.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and easy Can You Create a Blog on Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
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.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow much faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and actually scale your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.