I have actually used a great deal of various e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I’ve been a huge advocate of digital sovereignty and having your own platform. Therefore (and the amazing features), I have actually been utilizing Inagiffy Beehiiv.
So, it is indeed an odd move for me to determine to use BeeHiiv. Besides, it is a hosted application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I intend to look at why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I intend to deal with the issue of digital sovereignty while using the platform and I ‘d additionally like to resolve why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Shift In Approach, I discussed how and why I determined to turn my recreational vehicle blog site into primarily a newsletter. I chose that was business model I wanted to go after with that home.
But, to purposefully pursue it as a newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the email list for Gladly RV, yet FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, truthfully, utilizing it for newsletters is a little a waste. Extra on that in a bit.
As I stated in that problem of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a platform with tools developed right into it particular to my function. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog site) and send out the email all at once without having it be two different activities.
- Built in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would have needed a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Built-in ability to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are basically one-click subscription web links. Great for promo in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, though, so there are ways to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I select to monetize with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and primarily run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Basically, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter publishers with features focused on growth. The system was essentially developed by the people who accumulated the innovation for Morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is constructed from scratch for the purpose of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a different function.
And I ended off with this:.
I may without a doubt be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. At least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. In fact, I simply went all out. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own building to ensure that I can grow it a lot more intentionally too.
The goal is that each newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown independently. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so simple to shift. Yet, The Early morning WP (previously The Side) was buried in a sea of things here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will clearly constantly be carefully linked with the Blog site Marketing Academy, however does not need to be a part of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv since it was built for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email List
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter system and simply an e-mail checklist.
You can organize your email list anyplace you desire and there are a number of them available, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The primary distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of publishing means that it is mosting likely to your site and to your e-mail subscribers concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are releasing to that web site. Yet, you are likewise sending to all clients at the same time. The website and it’s clients are all in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much easier.
With most email platforms, any e-newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is built totally independently from your website. So, as an example, you could publish a short article to WordPress however after that you would require to separately construct and send out an e-mail to your listing to send it to customers. These are after that 2 separate sets of archives and two different activities since post and your e-mails are not inherently linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it basically “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress blog posts and permits them to be the same thing. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid choice if I wanted to continue to self-host everything. Nonetheless, you would certainly shed the development tools that feature a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting an e-newsletter naturally comes with a different collection of needs than a regular email checklist.
You don’t generally need much marketing automation. You do not normally require autoresponder sequences, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO need, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development devices to assist you build your subscriber base that are specific to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced 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 truth that I selected to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I assume Substack sucks. Actually, due to the fact that Substack has actually been around longer, it is more mature and has more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a couple points that initially obtained my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly tailored to newsletter publishers. In fact, it is literally built by the same people who constructed the technology behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. However, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter development called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “developer”. Growth is what I want below.
- That branding and distinction likewise indicates that BeeHiiv has some fairly big brands and large publications using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed more at solo creators. Once again, it just tells me the client avatar distinction between the two companies.
Sending our my e-newsletter by means of FluentCRM really did not specifically suck. The only factor I would certainly ponder trembling things up is if I assumed I might expand the list quicker. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that goal.
Because of the targeting, I in fact do not see BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being more straight rivals.
But, allow’s dive much deeper than just the placing here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Overall, BeeHiiv looks like it was constructed by individuals that comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more geared toward developers.
For example, BeeHiiv provides custom areas on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still quite restricted in triggers and the only action is the capability to send an email. However, improvements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will have new triggers along with new actions, such as changing personalized fields, sending out webhooks, and so on. I have actually currently seen improvements to their automations just considering that I started making use of the platform. For example:
- Capacity to set off automations based on which specific embed kind they was available in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and handle individuals based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Capacity to do fundamental conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can’t do this because the target audience of Substack simply wouldn’t believe to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it pertains to writing your e-newsletters, the writing interface of BeeHiiv is simply a lot more tailored toward newsletters. Actually, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in just how it functions. I discover it to be extra user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s writing interface is nice and clean, but it would be a lot more comparable to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is greater than just form. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Section” and afterwards put anything you want in it. Then, you can put Visibility options on that section to show it only to paid subscribers, hide it from e-mail, conceal from customers, reveal just to subscribers, etc. Substack uses absolutely nothing such as this.
And when/if the moment comes that I start a costs subscription version, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any profits. As a matter of fact, you essentially attach as much as your own Stripe account and it charges directly to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your earnings. Depending upon how many customers you get, that 10% can be quite a bit more cash than the month-to-month price of BeeHiiv.
Finally, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear nerdy, but what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv deal with the outdoors making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … nothing. No integrations whatsoever.
On the whole, I just felt like BeeHiiv was a lot more built toward actual email marketing. It was built by individuals that “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page develops seem far better constructed for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv include, I like the instructions it is going greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have claimed, Substack placements itself toward “creators” more than e-mail online marketers and newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some points tailored extra toward individuals that simply assume in terms of web content development.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain several publications, they are dealt with fairly independently. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to several magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … amazing for people that could need it.
Substack also has even more social functionality built-in. For example, it has a conversation feature to host talks with customers. It additionally has a “Notes” function which works kind of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. Generally, Substack is set up to be much more like a social network which sustains long-form web content.
Generally, Substack is also extra … minimal. You either care for that or don’t. Personally, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the objective is simplicity of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack works quite well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it comes to actual marketing, I do not believe there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is better fit. I looked for more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, however frankly … I have a difficult time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are frequently with to be the closest competitors, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the very same target audience and have comparable capacities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at designers (like Substack), yet it is a lot more highly satisfying individuals who do it for company. ConvertKit has good aesthetic automation building, it’s very own commerce system, and extra. ConvertKit is a really nice system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is popular already. However, below’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Points ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
As of now, ConvertKit has a lot more flexibility when it involves it’s automations. I will certainly likewise claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit extra instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains tagging. This is simply a fundamental feature of email lists that allows division in a far more flexible way than BeeHiiv presently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support labeling at some time soon, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Inagiffy Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does now give the capability to offer things through their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is very important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would constantly select a much more direct option anyhow. For me, I choose to use my own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and because of that has way extra integration options. Tons of online devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is quite effective. For instance, their plugin currently even supports member-gated material in addition to auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. Essentially, this a lot more carefully puts ConvertKit into direct competition by having you have the ability to release to your website and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is severely doing not have in these type of third-party integrations presently. It’ll get there. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also active taking on the growth tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with benefits, however you can also pay per lead within the internal advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your checklist. These are truly incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most well known viral promo systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall surface for what this implies for the system moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Inagiffy Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this stage of the cycle. However, it likewise suggests that they are rapidly creating.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually observed virtually regular release of new features into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … but large features that are rather essential. Their speed of advancement now has actually been impressive.
I additionally very much appreciate how receptive they are. In fact, one of their product announcements concerning some style enhancements to the website design features in fact had a small trouble with the web content size. I merely responded to that e-mail to tell them. I rapidly got a reply directly from the CEO:.
That exact same day, the problem was fixed.
Couple of days later on, I provided an additional recommendation …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to trigger automations based upon the embed type used was included in the system.
That sort of responsiveness and direct participation of the group is something I really value.
An additional significant point of distinction below is the rate. Both systems use totally free plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan supplies extra capacity and even more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise much more desirable. ConvertKit seems more affordable at first glance due to the fact that their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nevertheless the client limits are much reduced and your rate promptly boosts as your list expands.
With BeeHiiv, your very first level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid annually), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That exact same size listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I directly use), you can grow your list up to 100,000. A checklist of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, too, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv remains in an entirely different organization when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point raise rates? They might as time takes place. Yet, I’m presuming individuals like myself that are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points proceed.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among things you definitely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do seem to advance rather rapidly and make brand-new product statements somewhat typically, however there are some fundamental features I truly desire they had that I need to simply wait on.
One is that they require to have a setting on subscription types where I could select an automation to run right at the type level. That would certainly be outstanding for numerous reasons. Currently, subscription types look OK, but there’s very little setups for them to help in segmentation.
It would certainly behave to have labeling at the customer level. This would be powerful.
I assume webhooks must become part of automations to make built-in automations easier and decrease dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are additionally some minor administrative user interface changes that would be handy. As an example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to mass edit blog posts (as an example, to label a number of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of fundamental areas as typical on clients (like the name).
- Some even more modification options for the internet site (such as even more adaptable shade selections, headline control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Points I wish they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t best and certainly not virtually as established as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM product.
It probably never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the function is different so it would not a lot a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation system. I think you never understand, though.
Final Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv fairly a lot. Enough where I decided to change my own e-newsletters over to the platform regardless of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and having my very own platform.
Simply put, for the newsletter posting model particularly, I saw adequate worth in their platform to require the modification.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my special email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, yet I deliberately have things set up so that I likewise maintain my list “in house” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is simply a great insurance plan, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack today, I ‘d definitely consider switching over to BeeHiiv. It will merely be more business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various demands. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the button ought to be quite straightforward.
If you get on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly sit tight unless you have a huge e-mail list and are as a result being fleeced with their high regular monthly bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are repeating swiftly. There’s additionally a respectable opportunity you’re not even using a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you do not also require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could conveniently be a much better and much more budget-friendly fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be really deliberate about expanding an e-newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and keep and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open regarding what it is created to be, it is one of the best games in town today. This is the system to view.
BeeHiiv uses a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth looking into for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll find the free account to be rather feature rich.