When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner How Much Does It Cost To Use Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can actually assist grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the place decides to allow 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 one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– 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 Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero platform charges (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots 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 new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Much Does It Cost To Use Beehiiv
Now below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person joined.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel nasty or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and simple How Much Does It Cost To Use Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes 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. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you struck a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.