When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner How Good Is Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually assist grow my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 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 Also Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and no system fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom domain? A few small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Good Is Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and easy How Good Is Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item 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 slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, earn extra, and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and really range your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.