I have used a great deal of different e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a huge proponent of digital sovereignty and owning your very own platform. For that reason (and the outstanding features), I have been utilizing Beehiiv and Zapier.
So, it is certainly an odd move for me to make a decision to use BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a hosted application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I intend to go over why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I want to resolve the problem of digital sovereignty while utilizing the platform and I ‘d also like to address why I selected to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Shift In Approach, I spoke about how and why I decided to turn my motor home blog site right into mainly a newsletter. I chose that was business design I intended to pursue with that said residential or commercial property.
Yet, to intentionally pursue it as a newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Happily RV, however FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, frankly, using it for e-newsletters is a little a waste. Much more on that particular in a little bit.
As I claimed in that concern of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools constructed right into it particular to my purpose. Things such as:
- Capability to publish (to the blog site) and send out the email at the same time without having it be two different activities.
- Constructed in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly require a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Integrated ability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are generally one-click subscription links. Great for promotion in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I select to monetize with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and basically run a premium newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features focused on growth. The system was actually constructed by the people that accumulated the innovation for Morning Brew. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is built from the ground up for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different function.
And I finished off with this:.
I may without a doubt be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. At the very least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I just went all out. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s own property to ensure that I can expand it much more intentionally as well.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s own media entity and grown individually. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so easy to shift. However, The Morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of things below at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will clearly constantly be closely tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but doesn’t have to belong of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Just A Regular Email List
There’s a distinction between a newsletter system and just an email list.
You can host your email listing anywhere you want and there are a variety of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The primary distinction is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of publishing suggests that it is going to your web site and to your email subscribers concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a web site. You are publishing to that web site. But, you are also sending off to all subscribers at the same time. The website and it’s clients are done in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much simpler.
With a lot of email systems, any kind of e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built entirely separately from your web site. So, for example, you could release a post to WordPress yet after that you would need to independently develop and send out an email to your listing to send it to subscribers. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and two separate actions because blog posts and your emails are not inherently connected.
The closest thing that turns WordPress into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it pretty much “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and enables them to be the very same point. Absolutely, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a solid option if I intended to remain to self-host whatever. However, you would certainly lose the growth devices that feature a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally comes with a various set of demands than a common email checklist.
You don’t normally need much marketing automation. You don’t usually need autoresponder sequences, event monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO need, however, is one seamless posting experience and growth devices to aid you develop your subscriber base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my subscribers that I was mosting likely to switch over the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was selecting it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the truth that I selected to go with BeeHiiv, that doesn’t imply I think Substack draws. As a matter of fact, since Substack has been about much longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Despite the fact that BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that initially obtained my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically tailored to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is literally developed by the exact same individuals that constructed the innovation behind Morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, doesn’t matter. However, the obvious 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 distinction likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brands and big publications using it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo designers. Once again, it just informs me the customer character difference in between both business.
Sending our my newsletter through FluentCRM didn’t exactly draw. The only factor I would consider trembling points up is if I thought I could GROW the checklist much faster. And BeeHiiv talked specifically to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I really do not view BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of customer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being more direct competitors.
However, let’s dive much deeper than simply the positioning here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv looks like it was built by individuals that comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems much more tailored toward makers.
For example, BeeHiiv supplies custom fields on customers. Now, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, 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 rather limited in triggers and the only action is the capability to send an e-mail. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers as well as new activities, such as modifying personalized fields, sending out webhooks, etc. I have actually already seen enhancements to their automations simply because I started utilizing the system. For example:
- Ability to set off automations based on which certain embed form they can be found in on.
- Capacity to automatically do re-engagement (and take care of people based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can not do this due to the fact that the target audience of Substack just wouldn’t believe to approach this like an email marketing expert.
When it concerns writing your newsletters, the composing user interface of BeeHiiv is simply much more geared toward e-newsletters. In fact, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I find it to be extra intuitive, personally.
Substack’s composing interface is nice and tidy, however it would certainly be much more equal to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is more than just type. For example, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Area” and after that placed anything you desire in it. Then, you can place Presence alternatives on that particular section to show it only to paid clients, conceal it from e-mail, hide from subscribers, reveal only to customers, etc. Substack offers absolutely nothing similar to this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium registration design, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of earnings. As a matter of fact, you essentially attach approximately your very own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your revenue. Depending on the amount of clients you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more money than the regular monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem unpopular, but what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outdoors utilizing tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
Generally, I simply felt like BeeHiiv was extra constructed towards genuine e-mail marketing. It was constructed by individuals who “get it”. Even the opt-in forms and the landing page creates appear far better developed for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually stated, Substack settings itself toward “designers” more than e-mail marketing professionals and e-newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some points geared much more towards individuals that just assume in terms of web content development.
For example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain several magazines, they are dealt with rather independently. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to several magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I require, yet … amazing for individuals that might require it.
Substack likewise has even more social functionality built-in. For instance, it has a conversation feature to host talks with subscribers. It additionally has a “Notes” feature which works type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. Generally, Substack is established to be more like a social network which sustains long-form web content.
On the whole, Substack is also extra … minimalist. You either look after that or do not. Directly, I don’t. Nonetheless, if the goal is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack works rather well.
However, I’ll be clear below …
When it involves real marketing, I don’t believe there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I looked for more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, however truthfully … I have a difficult time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are often through to be the closest competitors, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the same target audience and have similar capacities.
ConvertKit is additionally placed at designers (like Substack), however it is far more strongly dealing with individuals who do it for service. ConvertKit has wonderful aesthetic automation structure, it’s own commerce platform, and more. ConvertKit is a truly nice platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature break down here. ConvertKit is popular already. Yet, right here’s just how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has extra versatility when it concerns it’s automations. I will likewise say that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit extra intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains identifying. This is simply a fundamental function of email lists that makes it possible for division in a far more versatile means than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain marking eventually soon, frankly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv and Zapier.
ConvertKit does now give the capability to sell things using their own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would certainly constantly select an extra straight choice anyhow. For me, I prefer to use my very own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been about much longer and for that reason has way a lot more integration alternatives. Tons of online devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. As an example, their plugin now even supports member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. Essentially, this extra very closely puts ConvertKit right into direct competitors by having you be able to release to your site and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is seriously lacking in these kinds of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll get there. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even active dealing with the growth devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with benefits, but you can also pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are truly awesome features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most well known viral promo platforms for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface of what this indicates for the platform moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv and Zapier
BeeHiiv is a lot previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. Nevertheless, it additionally implies that they are rapidly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually witnessed virtually regular release of brand-new features right into the platform. And these aren’t weak little features … however huge features that are fairly vital. Their speed of advancement at this moment has actually gone over.
I also very much appreciate just how responsive they are. Actually, one of their product statements regarding some style improvements to the web design features in fact contained a small issue with the web content size. I just replied to that email to tell them. I swiftly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That same day, the problem was repaired.
Few days later, I provided one more idea …
Sure enough, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to trigger automations based on the embed kind made use of was contributed to the system.
That sort of responsiveness and direct participation of the group is something I actually appreciate.
Another major factor of differentiation here is the price. Both platforms use free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers extra capability and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally FAR more favorable. ConvertKit appears cheaper initially glimpse because their pricing page reveals reduced numbers, nonetheless the customer limitations are much lower and your price promptly raises as your listing grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid annually), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same dimension checklist is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their ideal plan and the one I personally make use of), you can grow your listing approximately 100,000. A checklist of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, too, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay annually.
BeeHiiv is in a completely various league when it concerns pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately enhance costs? They may as time takes place. But, I’m presuming people like myself who are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points continue.
Things I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the important things you definitely require to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to advance rather swiftly and make brand-new product statements somewhat frequently, but there are some standard features I really want they had that I need to simply wait for.
One is that they require to have a setting on subscription kinds where I can choose an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would be outstanding for a lot of factors. Currently, membership kinds look OK, yet there’s really little settings for them to help in segmentation.
It would be nice to have marking at the client level. This would certainly be powerful.
I believe webhooks need to become part of automations to make built-in automations less complicated and reduce dependence on outside devices like Zapier.
There are likewise some small management user interface adjustments that would come in handy. For example:
- Ability to bulk edit/remove subscribers.
- Capability to mass edit blog posts (for example, to mark a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental areas as standard on customers (like the name).
- Some even more personalization options for the internet site (such as more versatile shade options, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Points I wish they do with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, yet it isn’t excellent and absolutely not virtually as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It most likely never ever will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the purpose is different so it wouldn’t much a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation platform. I guess you never ever understand, though.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I like BeeHiiv fairly a great deal. Enough where I determined to change my own e-newsletters over to the platform in spite of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and having my very own platform.
Simply put, for the e-newsletter posting version specifically, I saw sufficient worth in their system to call for the adjustment.
Bear in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my unique email listing. I use BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, yet I deliberately have points set up so that I additionally maintain my list “in residence” inside of FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the very same. It is just a great insurance plan, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are utilizing Substack right now, I ‘d most definitely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will just be much more business-friendly. It is targeting different abilities and different requirements. And also, BeeHiiv even has import devices for Substack, so the switch needs to be pretty simple.
If you are on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a huge email checklist and are consequently being wooled with their high month-to-month bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are repeating swiftly. There’s likewise a pretty good chance you’re not also utilizing a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might conveniently be a far better and extra budget-friendly fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be really intentional regarding expanding an e-newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and keep and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open about what it is designed to be, it is just one of the best games in town right now. This is the system to watch.
BeeHiiv provides a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves having a look at for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll discover the complimentary account to be rather feature rich.