I have utilized a lot of various email list systems for many years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a massive advocate of digital sovereignty and having your very own system. For that reason (and the remarkable features), I have been using Shaan Puri Beehiiv.
So, it is undoubtedly a strange move for me to decide to make use of BeeHiiv. Besides, it is an organized application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I wish to look at why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to resolve the issue of digital sovereignty while using the system and I ‘d likewise like to address why I selected to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Large Shift In Method, I spoke about just how and why I decided to transform my recreational vehicle blog right into largely an e-newsletter. I made a decision that was business model I wanted to seek with that home.
However, to deliberately seek it as an e-newsletter, I desired a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the email listing for Happily motor home, yet FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, honestly, utilizing it for newsletters is a bit of a waste. Much more on that in a little bit.
As I claimed because issue of the e-newsletter …
Simply put, BeeHiiv is a system with devices constructed right into it certain to my objective. Points such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog) and send the email all at once without having it be 2 separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capability to do cross-promotions with other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are primarily one-click registration links. Great for promo in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are methods to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Built-in advertisement network, if I pick to monetize with ads in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and basically run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features focused on growth. The platform was literally developed by the individuals who built up the innovation for Early morning Mixture. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor here. BeeHiiv is built from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various objective.
And I finished off with this:.
I may certainly be relocating The Side over to BeeHiiv also. At least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I simply went all out. And actually, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s very own residential or commercial property so that I can grow it extra deliberately also.
The goal is that each newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown individually. Happily motor home was young, so simple to change. However, The Early morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of stuff right here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s own. It will obviously constantly be very closely connected with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Listing
There’s a distinction between a newsletter system and simply an e-mail listing.
You can organize your email checklist anyplace you desire and there are a number of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting suggests that it is mosting likely to your web site and to your e-mail customers at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a web site. You are publishing to that site. However, you are additionally sending to all clients at the same time. The internet site and it’s clients are all in one. This makes administration of the platform much simpler.
With most e-mail systems, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is constructed entirely individually from your site. So, for example, you may publish a write-up to WordPress however after that you would require to separately develop and send out an email to your list to send it to subscribers. These are then 2 different collections of archives and 2 different activities since post and your e-mails are not naturally connected.
The closest point that transforms WordPress into a real newsletter platform is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name due to the fact that it virtually “adhesives” your e-newsletter to your WordPress messages and permits them to be the very same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong alternative if I wished to remain to self-host every little thing. However, you ‘d shed the development tools that come with a platform like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter inherently comes with a various collection of demands than a normal e-mail listing.
You do not typically need much marketing automation. You do not generally need autoresponder sequences, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, though, is one seamless publishing experience and development devices to aid you build your client base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I revealed to my customers that I was mosting likely to change the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the reality that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I believe Substack sucks. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that Substack has been about longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that initially obtained my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to newsletter publishers. In fact, it is actually built by the exact same folks that developed the technology behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. However, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv towards newsletter development called me out over the more common positioning of being a “designer”. Growth is what I have an interest in here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brand names and big publications using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo makers. Again, it simply informs me the consumer character distinction between the two firms.
Sending our my e-newsletter via FluentCRM really did not exactly draw. The only factor I would certainly ponder drinking points up is if I thought I can GROW the list quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke exactly to that objective.
Because of the targeting, I really do not view BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of consumer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct competitors.
Yet, allow’s dive deeper than simply the positioning below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv seems like it was built by people that understanding email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more tailored toward developers.
For instance, BeeHiiv uses customized areas on clients. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv provides Automations. In fact, it is a visual automation builder that works a lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still fairly limited in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an e-mail. Nonetheless, improvements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers in addition to new actions, such as customizing custom-made fields, sending out webhooks, etc. I’ve currently seen enhancements to their automations simply given that I started using the platform. For instance:
- Ability to activate automations based upon which particular embed type they was available in on.
- Capacity to automatically do re-engagement (and take care of individuals based upon opens and non-opens).
- Capability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can’t do this because the target market of Substack just wouldn’t believe to approach this like an email marketing expert.
When it involves composing your e-newsletters, the composing interface of BeeHiiv is just much more geared toward newsletters. Actually, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it functions. I discover it to be more instinctive, directly.
Substack’s creating user interface behaves and tidy, however it would certainly be much more equivalent to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is more than just kind. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and after that placed anything you desire in it. After that, you can place Visibility alternatives on that section to show it just to paid clients, hide it from email, hide from customers, reveal just to clients, and so on. Substack supplies nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium subscription version, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any earnings. As a matter of fact, you literally link as much as your very own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your revenue. Relying on how many subscribers you get, that 10% can be a fair bit even more money than the month-to-month expense of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear nerdy, yet what it implies is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outside making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … absolutely nothing. No integrations at all.
In general, I just felt like BeeHiiv was much more built toward genuine email marketing. It was built by people that “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page develops appear far better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv include, I like the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually said, Substack placements itself toward “developers” greater than e-mail marketing experts and newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some points tailored more toward individuals who just think in regards to material production.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous magazines, they are treated rather separately. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to several publications at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, however … cool for individuals who could require it.
Substack likewise has even more social capability built-in. For instance, it has a chat function to host chats with clients. It likewise has a “Notes” feature which functions type of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from various other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. In general, Substack is established to be much more like a social network which supports long-form web content.
Overall, Substack is additionally extra … minimal. You either care for that or do not. Personally, I do not. Nevertheless, if the goal is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack works pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear here …
When it comes to real marketing, I don’t assume there’s much question that BeeHiiv is better matched. I looked for more factors that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, yet honestly … I have a tough time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically via to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have comparable abilities.
ConvertKit is additionally placed at creators (like Substack), however it is a lot more strongly satisfying people who do it for organization. ConvertKit has nice visual automation building, it’s very own commerce system, and more. ConvertKit is an actually good system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a complete feature-by-feature breakdown below. ConvertKit is popular currently. However, right here’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has much more flexibility when it pertains to it’s automations. I will certainly also say that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit more user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains tagging. This is simply a basic feature of e-mail lists that makes it possible for segmentation in a much more flexible way than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support tagging eventually quickly, frankly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing out on Shaan Puri Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does currently provide the capacity to offer points using their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would certainly always select an extra straight choice anyway. For me, I like to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and because of that has way extra integration choices. Tons of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. For instance, their plugin currently even sustains member-gated content along with auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. In essence, this extra closely puts ConvertKit into direct competition by having you be able to publish to your site and your email list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is severely lacking in these type of third-party integrations currently. It’ll arrive. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also active taking on the development devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with rewards, however you can additionally pay per lead within the internal advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your listing. These are actually incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of the most popular viral promotion systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall of what this indicates for the platform moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Better At … Shaan Puri Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means less features and less integrations, which is natural for this stage of the cycle. However, it likewise implies that they are swiftly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have witnessed almost weekly launch of brand-new features into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … but large features that are rather important. Their rate of growth now has gone over.
I also significantly appreciate exactly how responsive they are. As a matter of fact, among their item announcements about some layout enhancements to the website design features in fact consisted of a tiny problem with the material size. I merely replied to that email to tell them. I swiftly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the concern was dealt with.
Few days later on, I provided another idea …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to trigger automations based upon the embed form made use of was contributed to the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight participation of the group is something I really value.
Another major factor of distinction here is the cost. Both systems offer cost-free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers extra capability and even more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also FAR more positive. ConvertKit appears less costly initially glance due to the fact that their pricing page shows lower numbers, however the subscriber limitations are much reduced and your cost swiftly raises as your list expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid every year), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 clients. That very same dimension list is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I personally use), you can expand your listing as much as 100,000. A list of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, also, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay every year, also. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv remains in a completely various league when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately enhance costs? They may as time takes place. However, I’m presuming individuals like myself that are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points proceed.
Points I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Add
Among the things you definitely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to evolve instead rapidly and make brand-new item announcements somewhat usually, however there are some fundamental features I really want they had that I require to simply wait on.
One is that they require to have a setting on membership types where I could select an automation to run right at the type level. That would certainly be amazing for a lot of reasons. Already, registration types look OK, yet there’s really little setups for them to assist in segmentation.
It would behave to have identifying at the subscriber level. This would be powerful.
I think webhooks ought to belong to automations to make built-in automations simpler and minimize reliance on outside devices like Zapier.
There are also some minor management user interface adjustments that would certainly come in handy. For example:
- Ability to mass edit/remove customers.
- Ability to bulk edit articles (as an example, to mark a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard fields as basic on clients (like the name).
- Some even more customization alternatives for the site (such as more versatile shade selections, headline control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Points I wish they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, however it isn’t best and certainly not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM product.
It possibly never ever will certainly be, either. As I said, the objective is various so it wouldn’t a lot a great deal of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation system. I guess you never ever understand, though.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I like BeeHiiv fairly a great deal. Sufficient where I made a decision to switch my very own newsletters over to the platform despite my personal preference for digital sovereignty and having my own system.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter posting design especially, I saw enough value in their platform to necessitate the adjustment.
Remember, I do not use BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail checklist. I utilize BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, yet I purposefully have points establish to ensure that I additionally keep my checklist “in house” inside of FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is just an excellent insurance coverage, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your list will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the inquiry is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d absolutely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will merely be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting different abilities and various needs. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the button must be pretty uncomplicated.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d probably sit tight unless you have a huge e-mail listing and are consequently being fleeced with their high monthly costs. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating swiftly. There’s additionally a respectable opportunity you’re not even utilizing several of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you do not also need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could conveniently be a much better and extra inexpensive fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be extremely deliberate regarding expanding a newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE system to consider and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is created to be, it is among the best games around right now. This is the platform to see.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth having a look at on your own. And if you wind up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll discover the free account to be fairly feature abundant.