beehiiv reviews

Beehiiv Review 2024: The Ultimate Guide

  • User Friendly Interface
  • Newsletter Creation Tools
  • Audience Management
  • Analytics and Reporting
  • Integrations
4.6/5Overall Score
Specs
  • Monetization Opportunities:
  • Built-In Website Hosting:
  • Detailed Analytics:
  • Referral Program:
Pros
  • User Friendly Interface
  • High Deliverability Rates
  • Comprehensive Analytics
  • Mobile Optimization
Cons
  • Limited Integrations
  • Lack of Live Support
  • Steep Learning Curve

What is Beehiiv?

Beehiiv is a modern newsletter platform designed to help creators, businesses, and organizations grow their audiences, engage with readers, and monetize content effectively. Created by former Morning Brew employees, Beehiiv emphasizes simplicity, scalability, and advanced tools to manage and grow email subscribers. It offers features that rival traditional platforms like Substack and Mailchimp while adding unique capabilities tailored for newsletter creators.

As an active Beehiiv user, I’ve had the opportunity to explore its features, strengths, and limitations. Here’s my honest review of the platform based on personal experience.

Why I Chose Beehiiv

I switched to Beehiiv because I needed a platform that combined simplicity with robust monetization options. My goals were to:

Earn passive income from ads and referrals.

Grow my email list without spending hours on manual tasks.

Access actionable analytics to improve my newsletter performance.

Access actionable analytics to improve my newsletter performance.Beehiiv stood out from competitors like Substack and ConvertKit with its focus on monetization and growth tools, and after nearly a year of using it, I can confidently say it was a great choice.

Key Features I love about Beehiiv

Monetization Opportunities

One of the standout features of Beehiiv is its built-in monetization options, which are rare in email marketing platforms.

Ad Program:
Beehiiv connects you directly with advertisers, allowing you to earn money through newsletter sponsorships. Instead of spending time pitching to potential sponsors, I receive ad offers directly through the platform. Payments are based on clicks and impressions, which makes this a hassle-free way to generate income.

Example:
In October 2024, I earned $91.16 by accepting ad offers, with no additional work beyond placing ads in my newsletter.

Boosts:
This referral program allows you to promote other newsletters and earn $1–$3 for every subscriber who joins via your link. It’s a great passive income opportunity for creators looking to add a new revenue stream.
Example:
By activating Boosts, I earned an additional $305.90 over 10 months, simply by recommending other newsletters my audience might find interesting.

Built-in Website Hosting

Unlike most email platforms, Beehiiv lets you create a fully customizable website for your newsletter.

You can publish past issues as blog posts, improving your content’s visibility through search engines.

A professional-looking website builds credibility and serves as a central hub for your brand.

Example:
I repurposed my old newsletters into blog posts hosted on my Beehiiv site, which attracted new readers organically through SEO.

Detailed Analytics

Beehiiv provides advanced analytics to help you understand your audience and optimize your strategy.

User Acquisition Data:
Track where your subscribers are coming from—whether it’s social media, referrals, or direct traffic.

Engagement Metrics:
See open rates, click-through rates, and other key performance indicators.

Revenue Insights
Monitor how much you’re earning from ads, referrals, and paid subscriptions.Example:
In August 2024, I used analytics to identify inactive subscribers. By automating their removal, I boosted my open rates and improved the performance of my sponsorship ads.

Referral Program

Growing a newsletter audience can be challenging, but Beehiiv makes it easier with its built-in referral program.

Encourage your current subscribers to share your newsletter with friends in exchange for rewards, such as exclusive content, discounts, or freebies.

The referral program is easy to set up and can significantly enhance organic growth.

Example:
After launching my referral program, my subscriber count grew steadily without additional ad spending.

Areas Where Beehiiv Can Improve

While I’ve had a great experience overall, there are a few drawbacks worth mentioning:

Feature Overload for Beginners

Beehiiv offers so many tools that it can feel overwhelming if you’re new to email marketing. The learning curve is steeper compared to simpler platforms like ConvertKit.

Irrelevant Ad Offers

Sometimes the sponsorship opportunities aren’t a great fit for my niche, which can be frustrating. I’ve had to reject a few offers for this reason.

No Time Zone-Based Scheduling

Beehiiv doesn’t allow newsletters to be sent based on subscribers’ local time zones, which would be helpful for global audiences.

Limited Page Customization

While the website and landing page features are useful, they’re not as flexible or intuitive as tools like WordPress. Building a lead magnet page or a custom landing page can be tricky at first.

No Gumroad Integration
For creators selling digital products through Gumroad, the lack of integration is a missed opportunity.

How Beehiiv Has Helped Me Grow

Since switching to Beehiiv, I’ve:

  • Earned over $4,500 from the Partner Program, simply by sharing my experience with the platform.
  • Improved my newsletter’s open and click-through rates by removing inactive subscribers through Beehiiv’s automation tools.
  • Grown my list organically by using the referral program and publishing my content on a Beehiiv-hosted website.

Real Example:
In August 2024, I streamlined my email list by cutting it nearly in half, removing inactive subscribers. This improved my performance metrics and helped me land better ad deals.


What is Beehiiv Used for?

Create and Publish Newsletters

At its core, Beehiiv serves as a comprehensive tool for designing and distributing newsletters. Users can leverage Beehiiv’s intuitive editor, which allows for the easy drag-and-drop arrangement of content elements, making it accessible even for those without extensive technical skills.All newsletters are designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring that content looks great on any device, enhancing the reading experience for subscribers.

Audience Growth

Growing an audience is a critical aspect of any newsletter strategy, and Beehiiv includes several built-in tools to help creators increase their subscriber base. Beehiiv incentivizes subscribers to refer friends and colleagues through referral programs. These programs reward existing subscribers when they bring in new subscribers, effectively leveraging word-of-mouth marketing.

Monetize Content

Beehiiv offers multiple avenues for content monetization, allowing creators to generate revenue while still delivering valuable content to their audience.Beehiiv allows newsletters to incorporate sponsored content and advertising, creating an additional revenue stream. Brands looking to reach specific audiences can partner with newsletter creators to promote their products or services.

Data Insights

Data-driven decision-making is essential for successful newsletter campaigns, and Beehiiv excels in providing actionable insights through its advanced analytics features.Beehiiv tracks how subscribers interact with the content, including open rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics. This data helps creators understand what resonates with their audience.

Community Building

Building a strong community around a newsletter is essential for long-term success, and Beehiiv supports this goal through Direct Communication by utilizing email as a primary communication channel, Beehiiv fosters a direct connection between creators and their audience. This closeness helps create a loyal subscriber base who values and engages with the content.

How to Get Started with Beehiiv?

Create a Subscribe Form to Capture Email Addresses

Why it’s Important: A subscribe form is the gateway to growing your audience by collecting email addresses.

How to Do It:

  1. Log in to Beehiiv and navigate to the Forms section.
  2. Customize the form fields (e.g., name, email).
  3. Choose a location to embed the form—on your website, blog, or a standalone landing page.
  4. Copy and paste the generated embed code onto your site.

Pro Tip: Offer something valuable (e.g., a free guide, exclusive content) in exchange for email addresses.

Beehiiv Reviews

Via Beehiiv

Create a Beehiiv-Hosted Website to Publish Your Newsletters

Why it’s Important: A dedicated website provides a central hub for your newsletters, boosting discoverability.

How to Do It:

  1. Go to the Website section in Beehiiv.
  2. Choose a pre-built template for your site.
  3. Add essential elements like an “About” page, past newsletters, and a subscription button.
  4. Publish the website using a Beehiiv subdomain or connect your custom domain.

Example: Publish past newsletters on your site to attract readers through organic search traffic.

beehiiv reviews

Via Beehiiv

Customize a Website

Why it’s Important: Customization ensures your site aligns with your brand’s identity.

How to Do It:

  1. In the Website section, use the design editor to adjust fonts, colors, and layout.
  2. Add your logo and choose a banner image that reflects your niche.
  3. Link your social media accounts for cross-promotion.

Pro Tip: Use consistent branding across your website, newsletters, and social media to build trust.

Create a Newsletter Template

Why it’s Important: Templates save time and ensure consistency in your newsletters.

How to Do It:

  1. Open the Templates section.
  2. Choose from Beehiiv’s professionally designed templates or start from scratch.
  3. Add placeholders for your content, such as a header, body text, and call-to-action buttons.
  4. Save the template for reuse.

Example: Create a template with a header image, introduction section, and a “Read More” button linking to detailed articles.

beehiiv reviews

Via Beehiiv

Customize a Newsletter Design

Why it’s Important: Personalized designs increase brand recognition and engagement.

How to Do It:

  1. In the Editor, adjust fonts, colors, and layout to match your branding.
  2. Add images, GIFs, or icons for a more dynamic appearance.
  3. Test the design by sending a preview to yourself.

Pro Tip: Keep your design simple and mobile-friendly to appeal to a broader audience.

Create a Lead Magnet Page on Beehiiv

Why it’s Important: Lead magnets incentivize readers to subscribe.

How to Do It:

  1. Create a standalone landing page in Beehiiv.
  2. Offer a valuable freebie (e.g., an ebook, checklist, or exclusive report).
  3. Use a compelling headline and call-to-action (CTA) on the page.
  4. Promote the page on social media, blogs, or ads.

Example: A marketing coach offers a free “10-Point Marketing Checklist” in exchange for email addresses.

Set Up Automation

Why it’s Important: Automation saves time by sending relevant content at the right time.

How to Do It:

  1. In the Automation section, set up workflows for actions like welcome emails or post-subscription sequences.
  2. Define triggers (e.g., when someone subscribes) and actions (e.g., send an email or tag the subscriber).
  3. Test the automation to ensure it works seamlessly.

Example: Send a welcome email immediately after someone subscribes, followed by an exclusive article two days later.

beehiiv reviews

Via Beehiiv

Turn On Beehiiv Monetization

Why it’s Important: Monetization helps you earn from your content directly.

How to Do It:

  1. Go to the Monetization tab in Beehiiv.
  2. Enable paid subscriptions and set pricing tiers (e.g., $5/month for exclusive content).
  3. Integrate ads or set up affiliate partnerships as additional revenue streams.
  4. Promote your premium offerings through emails and your website.
beehiiv reviews

Via Beehiiv

Example: A finance expert offers a $10/month premium newsletter featuring in-depth stock analysis

Conclusion

Switching to Beehiiv was undoubtedly the right choice for me. While the learning curve was steeper than with Kit, the platform’s robust features and monetization opportunities make it worth the effort.

Whether you’re a small creator or managing a larger audience, Beehiiv offers tools to grow your list, engage your readers, and earn passive income—all with minimal effort.

FAQs

What is Beehiiv?

Beehiiv is an all-in-one email marketing platform designed for creators, businesses, and publishers to grow, engage, and monetize their audience. It allows users to create newsletters, build a custom website, track analytics, and access unique monetization features like sponsorships and referral programs. Beehiiv is especially popular among those looking for easy ways to generate income from their email list.

How does Beehiiv’s monetization work?

Beehiiv provides multiple ways to monetize your content:
Ad Program: Advertisers pay you to feature their ads in your newsletters. Compensation is typically based on clicks or impressions.
Boosts: Earn $1–$3 for each new subscriber who joins another newsletter via your referral link.
Paid Subscriptions: (For eligible accounts) Create a premium newsletter and charge readers for exclusive content.
These features are built directly into Beehiiv, so you don’t need external tools or extensive experience to start earning.

Can small email lists make money on Beehiiv?

Yes! Unlike other platforms that prioritize large audiences, Beehiiv’s monetization tools, like Boosts and ad sponsorships, are accessible for smaller lists (starting at around 1,000 subscribers). This makes it a great choice for creators just starting out or those with a niche audience.

What makes Beehiiv different from platforms like Substack or ConvertKit?

Monetization Focus: Beehiiv offers built-in features like ad sponsorships and Boosts, making it easy to earn money without extra effort.
Custom Website Hosting: Beehiiv allows you to create a website for your newsletter, something Substack lacks.
Advanced Analytics: Beehiiv provides more detailed performance metrics than ConvertKit, helping you track and optimize growth.
Scalability: Beehiiv is ideal for both small and large lists, while Substack and ConvertKit often cater to specific audience sizes.

Is Beehiiv beginner-friendly?

Beehiiv is relatively easy to use but does have a learning curve due to its wide range of features. Beginners might initially feel overwhelmed, but the platform offers helpful resources, tutorials, and a clean user interface to simplify the setup process. For those new to email marketing, Beehiiv’s automation tools and templates are especially useful.

What is the referral program, and how does it work?

Beehiiv’s referral program is a built-in feature that helps you grow your email list by rewarding readers for sharing your newsletter. Here’s how it works:
You set up a reward system for subscribers who refer friends to your newsletter (e.g., exclusive content, discounts, or shoutouts).
Beehiiv tracks referrals automatically and helps you manage the rewards.
This program drives organic growth and builds loyalty among your subscribers.

How customizable is Beehiiv?

Beehiiv offers robust customization options, including:
Newsletter Design: Choose from pre-made templates or create your own layout. Adjust fonts, colors, and styles to match your branding.
Website: Customize your newsletter’s accompanying website to act as a blog or landing page. While the flexibility isn’t as advanced as platforms like WordPress, it’s effective for most users.
Automation: Personalize workflows to welcome new subscribers, manage inactive users, or segment your audience.

Does Beehiiv integrate with other tools?

Beehiiv integrates with popular tools such as Zapier, which allows you to connect it to thousands of apps, including CRM systems, analytics platforms, and e-commerce tools. However, it lacks direct integrations with platforms like Gumroad or Shopify, which could be a limitation for some creators.

What analytics does Beehiiv offer?

Beehiiv provides a detailed analytics dashboard, covering:
Subscriber Acquisition: See where new subscribers are coming from (e.g., social media, website, referrals).
Engagement Metrics: Track open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber activity.
Revenue Insights: Monitor earnings from ads, Boosts, and paid subscriptions.
This data helps creators make informed decisions to grow their audience and optimize their content strategy.

Is Beehiiv free to use?

Beehiiv offers a free plan with basic features, suitable for beginners or those testing the platform. Paid plans start at $29/month and unlock additional features like advanced analytics, custom domains, and monetization options. The pricing is competitive compared to similar platforms, especially given its unique focus on revenue generation.