When it came time to pick a new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv or Mailchimp For Real Estate.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I believed that as well initially. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can actually assist expand my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). Yet pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand 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 brand-new system typically seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, yet nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv or Mailchimp For Real Estate
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigative mode– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s really created an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding including far better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv or Mailchimp For Real Estate.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels developed by makers, for developers
Will it fix every problem? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make a lot more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.