When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Scottie Scheffler WITB.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually help grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights just turn on if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero system costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains 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 leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system usually feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Scottie Scheffler WITB
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based on how somebody joined.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel nasty or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, plain and straightforward Scottie Scheffler WITB.
And when I’m ready to release a premium membership? I know exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow when you hit a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, gain extra, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.