When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Beehiiv For Real Estate.
Which’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the odd traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist growth devices, and no platform charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform typically seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv For Real Estate
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each form can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based upon just how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– playing with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or 2.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv For Real Estate.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it solve every issue? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn more, and tension less about the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.