When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner The ’92 Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might in fact assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no platform costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: The ’92 Beehiiv
Now below’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, using different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv concerning adding 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 substantial distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, plain and straightforward The ’92 Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: 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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, earn more, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.