When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Shaan Puri Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I assumed that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the success and the odd traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can really help expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And afterwards 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 club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (besides the typical Stripe cut). Yet promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Shaan Puri Beehiiv
Now below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on exactly how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and simple Shaan Puri Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development 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 turn your visitors into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size monitoring needs better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain much more, and tension less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.