When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion What Is Beehiiv Newsletter.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that might actually help grow my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, but I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the location decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, 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 stand apart?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and zero platform costs (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain name? A few minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is Beehiiv Newsletter
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on just how a person registered.
I ended up going full investigator mode– tinkering with segments, making use of different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really created an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a rabbit opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in income potential, simple and basic What Is Beehiiv Newsletter.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and in fact range your e-newsletter with real tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.