When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion For The Long Run Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that also at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can in fact assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (aside from the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: For The Long Run Beehiiv
Currently here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and straightforward For The Long Run Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain much more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.