When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Framer Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the victories and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look 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 Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– 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 Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no system costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Framer Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? 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: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and easy Framer Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit a weird insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand much faster, make a lot more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.