When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion How Do You Use Beehiiv For Newsletter.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I believed that as well initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle 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 constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform costs (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain name? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Do You Use Beehiiv For Newsletter
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s really created a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of screening tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty 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 development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and simple How Do You Use Beehiiv For Newsletter.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, 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 grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by makers, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.