When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Mago Das Newsletters Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system costs (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Mago Das Newsletters Beehiiv
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome series based on how someone signed up.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Mago Das Newsletters Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.