When it came time to pick a new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Working at Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the strange quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right 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 sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could in fact help grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was checking out this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only activate if the place determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform costs (besides the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Working at Beehiiv
Now below’s where points got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading odd Reddit strings– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel disgusting or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, ordinary and basic Working at Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to release a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. 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 quirks.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit a weird insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size tracking needs much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me expand much faster, earn much more, and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with real tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.