When it came time to choose a new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Samera Global Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks start revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero platform costs (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots 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– moving to a new system normally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Samera Global Beehiiv
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on just how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in such a way that does not really feel sickening or compelled. It’s integrated income capacity, plain and basic Samera Global Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, earn extra, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.