When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Newsletter Operator Landing Page.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the weird traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just activate if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the common Stripe cut). But guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Newsletter Operator Landing Page
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sections, using different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Newsletter Operator Landing Page.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your viewers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires a piece 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 hit an unusual insect or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for makers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow faster, gain extra, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.