When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner What Is The Story Behind Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel excellent.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development tools, and no system fees (other than the normal 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 crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is The Story Behind Beehiiv
Now right here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s in fact created a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and easy What Is The Story Behind Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck a weird insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with real tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.