When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Dan Koe Beehiiv.

And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.

Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.

Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind

Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.

So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.

The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer

Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.

Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not actually own 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 app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever totally reach.

It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.

And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an email platform.

So yeah, Substack? A no for me.

Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?

So what made Beehiiv stand apart?

Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system costs (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.

Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.

I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.

Readying Up on Beehiiv

Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.

Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain name? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.

Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.

Likewise, their support content– video clips, assistance 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: Dan Koe Beehiiv

Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.

Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to take on 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 sequences based on exactly how someone registered.

I wound up going full detective setting– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.

Is it achievable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a little bit.

Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect

I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.

Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or 2.

But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.

That implies your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.

My go-to technique?

• Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
• Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
• Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure

Bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.

The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle

Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?

Audience Growth

In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.

A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.

Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You

Let’s chat money since for the majority of designers, it matters.

Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. 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 already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, simple and easy Dan Koe Beehiiv.

And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).

Integrated Growth Tools

What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.

You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.

I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.

Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve

No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.

Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or need deep help.

Some automations still feel as well standard.

Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).

No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).

Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.

So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.

Final Thought

If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.

You’ll like it if:

You want complete possession of your target market

You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax

You desire something that really feels built by designers, for designers

Will it address every problem? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.

So, should you attempt Beehiiv?

If you prepare to stop clearing up and really range your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.

Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.

When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Dan Koe Beehiiv.

Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.

Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.

Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind

Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that can really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.

So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and content.

The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer

Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.

But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your followers.

That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.

It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the place decides to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.

And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email system.

So yeah, Substack? A no for me.

Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?

So what made Beehiiv stick out?

Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform costs (aside from the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.

Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.

I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.

Readying Up on Beehiiv

Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.

Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.

One point I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.

Also, their assistance material– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.

Automation on Beehiiv: Dan Koe Beehiiv

Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.

Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on how somebody subscribed.

I wound up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.

Is it doable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a bit.

Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect

I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.

Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.

But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.

That indicates your perfectly crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.

My best method?

• Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
• Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
• Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure

Little a manual process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.

Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle

Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?

Target market Growth

In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.

The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.

Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You

Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.

Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).

Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue potential, ordinary and straightforward Dan Koe Beehiiv.

And when I’m ready to release a costs registration? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).

Integrated Growth Devices

What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.

You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.

I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.

Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve

No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.

Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual bug or require deep assistance.

Some automations still really feel too standard.

Email size surveillance needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).

No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).

Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.

So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.

Final Thought

If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.

You’ll like it if:

You desire complete ownership of your target market

You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax

You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers

Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow much faster, gain more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.

So, should you attempt Beehiiv?

If you prepare to stop resolving and actually scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.

Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.