I have used a lot of different e-mail list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a big supporter of digital sovereignty and owning your very own platform. Therefore (and the incredible features), I have been making use of Newsletter Operator.
So, it is without a doubt a weird move for me to decide to utilize BeeHiiv. After all, it is an organized application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I wish to review why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I want to address the issue of digital sovereignty while making use of the platform and I would certainly additionally like to address why I picked to use it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For E-newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Shift In Approach, I discussed just how and why I made a decision to turn my recreational vehicle blog into primarily an e-newsletter. I decided that was business version I wished to go after keeping that building.
Yet, to purposefully pursue it as a newsletter, I desired a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Happily RV, but FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, utilizing it for newsletters is a little a waste. Extra on that particular in a little bit.
As I said because problem of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools built right into it details to my function. Things such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog) and send the e-mail all at once without having it be two separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated ability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are primarily one-click subscription links. Great for promo in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are ways to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I choose to generate income from with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and basically run a costs newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features aimed at growth. The platform was essentially developed by the people that accumulated the technology for Morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the point below. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the function of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I may without a doubt be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. At the very least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. In fact, I just went all out. And as a matter of fact, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s own residential property to ensure that I can grow it extra purposefully also.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s own media entity and expanded individually. Gladly motor home was young, so simple to transition. Yet, The Morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried in a sea of things here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will undoubtedly always be closely tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, however doesn’t have to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv because it was constructed for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Checklist
There’s a difference between an e-newsletter system and just an e-mail listing.
You can organize your email list everywhere you desire and there are a number of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The main distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting indicates that it is mosting likely to your website and to your email clients at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are publishing to that website. But, you are likewise sending to all subscribers at the same time. The website and it’s clients are all in one. This makes management of the system much simpler.
With a lot of e-mail platforms, any kind of e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built entirely independently from your site. So, for instance, you could release a short article to WordPress but after that you would need to separately build and send out an e-mail to your checklist to send it to clients. These are then two separate sets of archives and two separate actions since article and your e-mails are not inherently connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress right into a real newsletter platform is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it practically “adhesives” your newsletter to your WordPress articles and enables them to be the same thing. Certainly, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a solid alternative if I wished to continue to self-host whatever. However, you would certainly lose the development devices that feature a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally comes with a various collection of needs than a typical email listing.
You do not normally require much marketing automation. You do not usually require autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO requirement, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development devices to help you develop your client base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my customers that I was mosting likely to switch over the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the fact that I picked to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I believe Substack sucks. Actually, since Substack has actually been about much longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair points that originally got my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly tailored to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is literally developed by the same individuals who built the technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real life, doesn’t matter. But, the apparent positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter growth called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “developer”. Growth is what I want here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some fairly huge brands and big publications using it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo designers. Again, it simply informs me the client character difference between both firms.
Sending our my newsletter by means of FluentCRM really did not precisely suck. The only factor I would certainly contemplate drinking points up is if I assumed I could expand the list much faster. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I really don’t see BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being much more straight rivals.
Yet, allow’s dive much deeper than simply the placing right here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
In general, BeeHiiv appears like it was built by individuals that comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more tailored toward developers.
For instance, BeeHiiv offers personalized areas on clients. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. In fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that functions a whole lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still fairly minimal in triggers and the only action is the capability to send an e-mail. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will have new triggers along with new activities, such as changing custom areas, sending webhooks, etc. I’ve currently seen enhancements to their automations just considering that I began using the platform. For instance:
- Capability to set off automations based on which certain embed type they came in on.
- Capability to instantly do re-engagement (and deal with people based upon opens and non-opens).
- Capacity to do basic conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can’t do this since the target audience of Substack just would not believe to approach this like an email online marketer.
When it concerns writing your e-newsletters, the writing interface of BeeHiiv is just a lot more tailored toward newsletters. In fact, it actually has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I discover it to be much more intuitive, personally.
Substack’s creating interface is nice and tidy, however it would certainly be extra equal to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is greater than simply form. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and after that put anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Exposure choices on that section to reveal it just to paid customers, conceal it from email, hide from subscribers, show only to subscribers, and so on. Substack offers nothing such as this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a premium membership model, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any kind of earnings. As a matter of fact, you actually link as much as your very own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your profits. Depending on the number of customers you get, that 10% can be a fair bit even more cash than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear nerdy, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outside using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … nothing. No integrations at all.
In general, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was extra developed towards actual email marketing. It was constructed by individuals who “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page designs appear better developed for conversions. Development is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv add, I like the instructions it is going greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually claimed, Substack settings itself towards “creators” greater than e-mail online marketers and newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some things tailored more toward people that simply believe in regards to web content creation.
For example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain multiple magazines, they are dealt with quite separately. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to multiple publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, however … amazing for people that might need it.
Substack likewise has more social functionality built-in. As an example, it has a conversation function to host chats with customers. It likewise has a “Notes” feature which works type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. In general, Substack is set up to be much more like a social network which supports long-form web content.
Generally, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimalist. You either take care of that or don’t. Directly, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simpleness of interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions rather well.
However, I’ll be clear below …
When it concerns actual marketing, I do not think there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I tried to find more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, however truthfully … I have a difficult time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are commonly through to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the very same target market and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is likewise positioned at creators (like Substack), however it is a lot more strongly satisfying people who do it for business. ConvertKit has good aesthetic automation building, it’s very own business system, and extra. ConvertKit is an actually good platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature failure here. ConvertKit is well known already. But, right here’s how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has more flexibility when it concerns it’s automations. I will additionally say that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains marking. This is simply a standard function of e-mail lists that allows division in a far more flexible means than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support marking at some time quickly, frankly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Newsletter Operator.
ConvertKit does currently offer the ability to offer points by means of their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would always select an extra direct option anyway. For me, I favor to use my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been about much longer and because of that has way a lot more integration choices. Lots of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For instance, their plugin currently even sustains member-gated content as well as auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. In essence, this more closely puts ConvertKit right into straight competition by having you be able to release to your site and your email list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly doing not have in these kinds of third-party integrations currently. It’ll get there. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also busy taking on the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with benefits, but you can also pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are really remarkable features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is among one of the most well known viral promotion systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface for what this suggests for the system moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Newsletter Operator
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and less integrations, which is natural for this stage of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise implies that they are rapidly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually witnessed nearly once a week launch of brand-new features into the system. And these aren’t puny little features … however large features that are fairly essential. Their speed of development now has gone over.
I additionally significantly appreciate just how responsive they are. In fact, among their item announcements regarding some design enhancements to the web design features really contained a tiny trouble with the web content width. I simply replied to that e-mail to tell them. I rapidly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the issue was dealt with.
Few days later on, I provided one more recommendation …
Indeed, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to activate automations based on the embed kind utilized was included in the system.
That type of responsiveness and straight involvement of the group is something I truly appreciate.
One more significant factor of differentiation below is the cost. Both platforms use complimentary plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan provides extra ability and even more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise even more positive. ConvertKit seems more affordable initially glance due to the fact that their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nonetheless the client limitations are FAR reduced and your rate rapidly increases as your listing grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid yearly), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That exact same dimension checklist is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I directly use), you can grow your list up to 100,000. A list of that dimension would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, also. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv is in an entirely various league when it pertains to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point enhance costs? They could as time takes place. However, I’m presuming individuals like myself who are currently in will be locked-in. We’ll see how things continue.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among the things you absolutely require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to advance instead quickly and make new item news somewhat usually, but there are some basic features I really wish they had that I require to just wait for.
One is that they need to have a setup on subscription kinds where I might choose an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would be amazing for so many factors. As of now, registration kinds look OK, however there’s extremely little setups for them to help in segmentation.
It would be nice to have labeling at the subscriber level. This would be effective.
I believe webhooks should become part of automations to make integrated automations easier and minimize dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are additionally some minor administrative user interface adjustments that would certainly be handy. As an example:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Ability to bulk edit posts (as an example, to tag a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of fundamental fields as common on subscribers (like the name).
- Some more customization choices for the site (such as even more flexible color options, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Things I wish they do with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, yet it isn’t excellent and definitely not virtually as established as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM item.
It most likely never will be, either. As I claimed, the function is various so it would not much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation system. I think you never ever recognize, however.
Last Ideas On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv quite a whole lot. Enough where I chose to change my very own e-newsletters over to the platform despite my individual preference for digital sovereignty and having my very own system.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter publishing version especially, I saw adequate value in their system to require the change.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my special email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv for what it is proficient at, however I intentionally have things set up to ensure that I likewise keep my checklist “in house” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is just an excellent insurance coverage, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your checklist will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will certainly be).
So, the inquiry is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d definitely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will merely be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting various capabilities and different demands. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the switch ought to be quite simple.
If you get on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly stay unless you have a large e-mail list and are consequently being fleeced with their high month-to-month expense. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are repeating swiftly. There’s also a respectable opportunity you’re not also using several of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might easily be a much better and more inexpensive fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be really deliberate concerning growing an e-newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is just one of the most effective games around right now. This is the platform to enjoy.
BeeHiiv uses a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth checking out on your own. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll find the free account to be fairly feature abundant.