When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for an appropriate partner The Stories Beehiiv.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact aid grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not actually possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place decides to allow the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It As well Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and no platform charges (apart from the typical Stripe cut). Yet promises are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound 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 inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: The Stories Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based upon just how somebody joined.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since 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% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, ordinary and basic The Stories Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What really 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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck a weird bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn much more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit resolving and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.