When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Superpower Daily Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle 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 developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help grow my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location decides to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero system fees (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Superpower Daily Beehiiv
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on how somebody signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– dabbling with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit threads– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated earnings potential, ordinary and simple Superpower Daily Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly establishes 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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and in fact scale your newsletter with real devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.