When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Lucky Culture Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to 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 embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really assist expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system charges (besides the typical Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Lucky Culture Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reading rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But 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 designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings possibility, simple and simple Lucky Culture Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, make more, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.