When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Simplified AI Beehiiv.
Which’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that too at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to claim– both the victories and the strange quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can in fact help expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never fully reach.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and zero platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Simplified AI Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including much better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in income potential, plain and straightforward Simplified AI Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a costs membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets 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 right into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in three months, it’s helped me grow faster, make extra, and stress and anxiety less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact range your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.