When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Learn Azure and AWS Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might actually assist expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and no system costs (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Learn Azure and AWS Beehiiv
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full investigative mode– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and straightforward Learn Azure and AWS Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax
You want something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and really scale your newsletter with actual devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.