When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Elden Mirzoian Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero system fees (aside from the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Elden Mirzoian Beehiiv
Now here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person signed up.
I wound up going full investigative mode– playing with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a way that does not really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in income possibility, ordinary and easy Elden Mirzoian Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, gain extra, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.