When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Gary Club Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Linking my custom domain? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Gary Club Beehiiv
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on just how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations 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 Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in a way that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and easy Gary Club Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires 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 sluggish when you struck a weird bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by makers, for creators
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain a lot more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.