When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Search Beehiiv Newsletters.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could in fact assist expand my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the money 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 nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no system fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound 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 inform you– moving to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Search Beehiiv Newsletters
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome series based on just how someone joined.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links developers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and easy Search Beehiiv Newsletters.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, make extra, and stress much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.