When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Ms. Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to state– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Ms. Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect 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 complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on just how a person joined.
I wound up going full detective setting– tinkering with sectors, using separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel sickening or required. It’s built-in income potential, ordinary and straightforward Ms. Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets 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 resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make a lot more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.