When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Jonathan Katz Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to state– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might in fact help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money 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 nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and zero system costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Jonathan Katz Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody joined.
I wound up going full investigative setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, plain and simple Jonathan Katz Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by designers, for creators
Will it resolve every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand quicker, earn extra, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.