When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Can You Use Beehiiv For Free.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might really help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials 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.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Can You Use Beehiiv For Free
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on just how somebody joined.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, using different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in income possibility, plain and basic Can You Use Beehiiv For Free.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually 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. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.