When it came time to select a new e-mail system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Naptown Scoop Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that too initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero system fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Naptown Scoop Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a manner that does not really feel nasty or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, plain and simple Naptown Scoop Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced 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’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that really feels built by designers, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain much more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.