When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Newsletter Templates Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I assumed that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really aid expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never completely reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
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 ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and no system costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain? A few minor hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Newsletter Templates Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however 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 difficult to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how someone signed up.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s really created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and simple Newsletter Templates Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What actually 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 transform your readers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, gain much more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and in fact scale your newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.