When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Frame and Flame Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (other than the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name 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 system generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my customized domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Frame and Flame Beehiiv
Now below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on just how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message might get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including far better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for most makers, 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 (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, plain and basic Frame and Flame Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes 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. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.