When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for a proper partner Rankster Beehiiv.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I assumed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact help grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the location determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and zero platform fees (aside from the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers 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– migrating to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Rankster Beehiiv
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based on just how someone signed up.
I ended up going full detective mode– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact 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 Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel nasty or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and simple Rankster Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes 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. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, make extra, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.