When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Organic Synthesis Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to say– both the success and the odd traits. 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 Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could actually aid grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out an audience you can never ever fully reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform fees (other than the normal Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new system generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Organic Synthesis Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your wonderfully crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and simple Organic Synthesis Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make much more, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact range your newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.