I have used a great deal of different e-mail list systems over the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a huge advocate of digital sovereignty and owning your very own platform. For that reason (and the incredible features), I have been utilizing Beehiiv Marketplace.
So, it is without a doubt an odd move for me to decide to make use of BeeHiiv. After all, it is a held application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I want to go over why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I want to resolve the issue of digital sovereignty while utilizing the platform and I ‘d additionally like to address why I picked to utilize it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Shift In Method, I talked about just how and why I chose to transform my recreational vehicle blog site right into mostly an e-newsletter. I decided that was the business design I wished to go after with that said building.
However, to purposefully pursue it as a newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the email listing for Gladly recreational vehicle, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is developed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, honestly, using it for e-newsletters is a little bit of a waste. Much more on that particular in a little bit.
As I said in that problem of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools constructed into it certain to my objective. Points such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog) and send out the e-mail at the same time without having it be two separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would have needed a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capacity to do cross-promotions with other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are essentially one-click subscription links. Great for promotion in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, though, so there are methods to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I pick 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 newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features aimed at growth. The platform was essentially constructed by the people who developed the innovation for Morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor here. BeeHiiv is constructed from scratch for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I might indeed be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv as well. At least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. As a matter of fact, I simply went all out. And as a matter of fact, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, set off as it’s own home to make sure that I can expand it more deliberately too.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s own media entity and grown separately. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so simple to shift. But, The Early morning WP (previously The Edge) was buried in a sea of things right 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 clearly always be closely tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv because it was built for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Checklist
There’s a difference between a newsletter system and simply an e-mail checklist.
You can organize your email list everywhere you want and there are a number of them available, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The main difference is that, with an e-newsletter system, the act of publishing means that it is going to your web site and to your e-mail customers concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are releasing to that web site. But, you are additionally sending to all clients at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are done in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much simpler.
With the majority of e-mail systems, any e-newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is developed entirely separately from your website. So, as an example, you could publish a short article to WordPress however after that you would certainly need to separately build and send out an email to your listing to send it to subscribers. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and two different activities because blog posts and your emails are not naturally linked.
The closest point that transforms WordPress right into a true e-newsletter platform is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it practically “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress articles and permits them to be the very same thing. Absolutely, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a solid alternative if I wished to continue to self-host every little thing. However, you would certainly shed the development tools that include a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter inherently includes a different set of requirements than a common e-mail listing.
You don’t usually need much marketing automation. You do not typically need autoresponder sequences, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO need, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development devices to help you construct your subscriber base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my clients that I was mosting likely to change the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the truth that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that doesn’t indicate I believe Substack draws. Actually, because Substack has actually been about longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple points that at first obtained my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly tailored to newsletter publishers. As a matter of fact, it is actually constructed by the very same folks who developed the modern technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. However, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv towards newsletter growth called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “maker”. Development is what I want right here.
- That branding and distinction additionally implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brands and big magazines using it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo creators. Again, it just tells me the customer character distinction in between the two firms.
Sending our my e-newsletter by means of FluentCRM didn’t specifically suck. The only reason I would ponder shaking things up is if I thought I could GROW the list quicker. And BeeHiiv talked specifically to that objective.
Because of the targeting, I in fact don’t see BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a different sort of consumer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct rivals.
But, let’s dive much deeper than just the placing here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv feels like it was built by people that recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears more tailored towards creators.
For example, BeeHiiv provides customized fields on customers. Now, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv provides Automations. As a matter of fact, it is a visual automation builder that works a great deal 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 capacity to send an email. However, improvements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers along with new activities, such as modifying personalized fields, sending webhooks, etc. I have actually currently seen enhancements to their automations just given that I began using the platform. As an example:
- Capability to set off automations based upon which certain embed type they came in on.
- Capacity to immediately do re-engagement (and take care of people based on opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can not do this since the target audience of Substack just would not think to approach this like an email marketing expert.
When it concerns creating your e-newsletters, the composing user interface of BeeHiiv is simply more geared towards e-newsletters. Actually, it in fact has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it functions. I find it to be much more instinctive, directly.
Substack’s composing interface is nice and clean, but it would be more equivalent to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is greater than simply form. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and afterwards put anything you want in it. After that, you can put Presence choices on that particular section to show it only to paid clients, conceal it from email, hide from subscribers, show only to subscribers, etc. Substack uses nothing such as this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a premium subscription version, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of earnings. As a matter of fact, you literally link as much as your own Stripe account and it charges directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your earnings. Relying on how many customers you get, that 10% can be quite a bit even more money than the month-to-month price of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear unpopular, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv deal with the outside utilizing devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
On the whole, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was more developed toward actual email marketing. It was built by individuals who “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page designs seem much better built for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv include, I like the instructions it is going greater than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have claimed, Substack positions itself toward “makers” greater than e-mail marketing experts and e-newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some points geared a lot more toward individuals who simply think in regards to material creation.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous publications, they are dealt with rather independently. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to numerous publications at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, but … awesome for individuals who may require it.
Substack also has even more social capability built-in. For example, it has a conversation feature to host chats with subscribers. It additionally has a “Notes” feature which works type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from other “Stacks” you read. Fascinating. On the whole, Substack is set up to be more like a social media which sustains long-form material.
Overall, Substack is also extra … minimal. You either take care of that or don’t. Directly, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the objective is simplicity of interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions quite well.
However, I’ll be clear here …
When it comes to actual marketing, I do not think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I tried to find even more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, however honestly … I have a difficult time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are commonly via to be the closest rivals, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is likewise positioned at creators (like Substack), however it is far more highly catering to individuals who do it for organization. ConvertKit has nice aesthetic automation building, it’s own business system, and much more. ConvertKit is a really nice system.
I’m not going to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is popular currently. But, here’s how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has more versatility when it concerns it’s automations. I will certainly also say that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports marking. This is simply a fundamental function of email checklists that allows division in a far more adaptable way than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support labeling at some point quickly, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Marketplace.
ConvertKit does now offer the ability to offer things by means of their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nevertheless, I would constantly choose a more straight option anyhow. For me, I like to use my very own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been around a lot longer and because of that has way a lot more integration options. Lots of online devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For example, their plugin now even sustains member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. Fundamentally, this much more very closely puts ConvertKit into straight competitors by having you be able to release to your site and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly lacking in these kinds of third-party integrations right now. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even active taking on the development tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your e-newsletter with perks, but you can likewise pay per lead within the inner ad network of BeeHiiv to grow your checklist. These are truly remarkable features of BeeHiiv. Yet …
Did you know ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of the most well known viral promotion platforms for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall surface for what this implies for the platform going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Marketplace
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that suggests much less features and less integrations, which is natural for this stage of the cycle. Nevertheless, it additionally indicates that they are quickly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually seen practically once a week launch of new features into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … but large features that are quite important. Their speed of advancement now has actually gone over.
I also significantly value just how receptive they are. As a matter of fact, one of their product news regarding some style improvements to the web design features actually consisted of a tiny issue with the content size. I simply replied to that e-mail to tell them. I swiftly got a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the concern was repaired.
Few days later, I gave them one more pointer …
Sure enough, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to cause automations based upon the embed form made use of was included in the system.
That type of responsiveness and direct involvement of the group is something I actually value.
Another major factor of differentiation below is the price. Both platforms supply totally free plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan uses more 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 much more favorable. ConvertKit seems less expensive in the beginning glimpse because their pricing page shows lower numbers, however the customer restrictions are much reduced and your cost swiftly enhances as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your initial level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid every year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That very same size list 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 personally utilize), you can grow your list up to 100,000. A list of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, too, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, also. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv is in an entirely different league when it comes to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point boost costs? They might as time goes on. Yet, I’m thinking people like myself that are currently in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how things continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among the important things you absolutely need to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to advance instead rapidly and make new product news rather usually, however there are some basic features I truly want they had that I require to simply await.
One is that they require to have a setting on registration types where I can select an automation to run right at the kind level. That would be remarkable for a lot of reasons. Already, membership types look OK, yet there’s very little setups for them to aid in division.
It would behave to have labeling at the customer degree. This would be powerful.
I think webhooks must become part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and decrease dependence on outside devices like Zapier.
There are also some small management interface adjustments that would certainly come in handy. For instance:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove clients.
- Ability to bulk edit messages (as an example, to label a number of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental areas as basic on clients (like the name).
- Some even more personalization alternatives for the internet site (such as even more adaptable shade options, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I hope they finish with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t excellent and definitely not virtually as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM product.
It possibly never ever will certainly be, either. As I said, the objective is various so it would not much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation system. I presume you never ever know, however.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv rather a lot. Enough where I made a decision to change my very own newsletters over to the platform despite my individual choice for digital sovereignty and possessing my own platform.
Simply put, for the newsletter publishing model especially, I saw adequate value in their platform to call for the change.
Keep in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my exclusive email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, yet I deliberately have points establish to ensure that I likewise keep my checklist “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is just a great insurance coverage, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the question is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d certainly consider switching to BeeHiiv. It will simply be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various capabilities and various demands. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the switch must be quite straightforward.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly sit tight unless you have a big email checklist and are for that reason being fleeced with their high month-to-month bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are iterating quickly. There’s additionally a pretty good opportunity you’re not even utilizing a few of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Because of that, BeeHiiv can conveniently be a much better and much more inexpensive fit.
Finally, if you plan to be really deliberate about growing an e-newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE platform to take into consideration and maintain and eye on for you.
If you make use of BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is developed to be, it is just one of the most effective video games in the area right now. This is the platform to view.
BeeHiiv uses a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves looking into for yourself. And if you end up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll discover the totally free account to be fairly feature abundant.