When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for a proper partner When Was Beehiiv Founded.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can in fact assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “adhere to” 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 directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (aside from the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots 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– migrating to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: When Was Beehiiv Founded
Currently here’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going full investigator mode– playing with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message could get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual process, yet it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brands in a way that doesn’t feel icky or required. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and easy When Was Beehiiv Founded.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without dangling awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me expand faster, make much more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and actually scale your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.