When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion FounderPass Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can really assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and no system charges (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system normally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: FounderPass Beehiiv
Now here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based upon just how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete detective setting– tinkering with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings possibility, ordinary and simple FounderPass Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system 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 system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.