When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner The Rabbit Hole Beehiiv.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to claim– both the wins and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact have your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no platform costs (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings 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 brand-new platform usually seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: The Rabbit Hole Beehiiv
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody signed up.
I wound up going full detective setting– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your perfectly crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing tools to enhance HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and basic The Rabbit Hole Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, make a lot more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.