I have used a lot of different email list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a big advocate of digital sovereignty and owning your very own platform. Therefore (and the incredible features), I have been utilizing Beehiiv Polls Multiple Answer.
So, it is without a doubt a strange move for me to determine 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 review, I wish to look at why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I intend to address the problem of digital sovereignty while utilizing the platform and I would certainly likewise like to attend to why I picked to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Change In Method, I spoke about how and why I decided to transform my recreational vehicle blog into mostly a newsletter. I determined that was business version I intended to go after with that said residential property.
But, to purposefully seek it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a system that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the email listing for Gladly motor home, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, frankly, using it for newsletters is a little bit of a waste. Extra on that particular in a bit.
As I claimed because concern of the e-newsletter …
Simply put, BeeHiiv is a system with devices built into it particular to my function. Things such as:
- Ability to release (to the blog) and send the e-mail all at once without having it be two separate activities.
- Built in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are essentially one-click subscription web links. Great for promo in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I choose to monetize with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capacity to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and essentially run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features focused on development. The system was literally built by the people who accumulated the modern technology for Morning Mixture. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the point here. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different function.
And I finished off with this:.
I might certainly be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv also. A minimum of, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. Actually, I just went for it. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, set off as it’s own residential or commercial property to ensure that I can grow it extra deliberately also.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown separately. Happily RV was young, so easy to change. Yet, The Early morning WP (formerly The Edge) was hidden in a sea of stuff here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s own. It will certainly constantly be closely tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but does not need to be a part of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Listing
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail list.
You can hold your email list anyplace you desire and there are a variety of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The key difference is that, with an e-newsletter platform, the act of publishing suggests that it is going to your site and to your e-mail subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a site. You are releasing to that web site. However, you are likewise sending off to all subscribers at the same time. The web site and it’s subscribers are done in one. This makes administration of the system much simpler.
With most email systems, any e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is developed completely separately from your site. So, for instance, you might release an article to WordPress but after that you would require to independently construct and send an email to your checklist to send it to subscribers. These are then two separate sets of archives and 2 separate actions because post and your emails are not inherently linked.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a real newsletter platform is Newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it practically “adhesives” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and enables them to be the very same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong option if I wanted to remain to self-host everything. However, you ‘d shed the development devices that come with a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally includes a different set of demands than a common e-mail checklist.
You don’t usually require much marketing automation. You don’t usually 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 growth devices to assist you construct your customer base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my customers that I was going to change the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the reality that I picked to opt for BeeHiiv, that doesn’t indicate I assume Substack sucks. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that Substack has been around longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that at first got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly customized to e-newsletter publishers. As a matter of fact, it is actually built by the very same individuals that developed the technology behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real world, doesn’t matter. Yet, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter growth called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “developer”. Growth is what I’m interested in here.
- That branding and distinction likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brands and large publications using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed more at solo creators. Once again, it simply tells me the consumer avatar distinction between the two firms.
Sending our my e-newsletter using FluentCRM didn’t exactly suck. The only factor I would contemplate trembling things up is if I believed I could GROW the checklist faster. And BeeHiiv spoke precisely to that goal.
Because of the targeting, I in fact do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various sort of consumer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being much more straight competitors.
But, let’s dive deeper than simply the placing right here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv feels like it was constructed by people that understanding email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears extra geared toward designers.
For instance, BeeHiiv supplies personalized fields on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv supplies Automations. As a matter of fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that functions a whole lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite restricted in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an e-mail. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will have new triggers in addition to new activities, such as customizing custom areas, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve already seen enhancements to their automations simply considering that I started utilizing the platform. For instance:
- Capacity to activate automations based upon which particular embed kind they came in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and take care of people based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Capacity to do basic conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can’t do this due to the fact that the target market of Substack simply wouldn’t believe to approach this like an email marketer.
When it concerns writing your newsletters, the writing user interface of BeeHiiv is just more tailored toward e-newsletters. As a matter of fact, it in fact has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in just how it works. I find it to be a lot more instinctive, personally.
Substack’s writing user interface is nice and clean, but it would certainly be extra equivalent to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is greater than simply kind. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and then put anything you want in it. After that, you can place Exposure options on that section to reveal it only to paid clients, conceal it from email, hide from subscribers, reveal just to clients, etc. Substack uses nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium subscription model, BeeHiiv does not take any earnings. Actually, you actually connect as much as your own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your revenue. Depending upon how many customers you get, that 10% can be quite a bit more money than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Finally, BeeHiiv has an API. This could seem unpopular, but what it indicates is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv deal with the outside using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in all.
On the whole, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was extra constructed towards actual email marketing. It was constructed by people who “get it”. Even the opt-in kinds and the landing page develops appear much better constructed for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the instructions it is going greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have claimed, Substack positions itself toward “makers” more than email marketing experts and e-newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some points geared more toward people who simply believe in regards to material production.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support numerous magazines, they are dealt with quite independently. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to several publications at the same time. This isn’t something I require, but … great for individuals that may need it.
Substack also has more social capability built-in. As an example, it has a conversation function to host talks with clients. It also has a “Notes” feature which works kind of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. Generally, Substack is set up to be extra like a social media which sustains long-form material.
In general, Substack is additionally more … minimalist. You either care for that or don’t. Personally, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simpleness of interface and, frankly, features … Substack works pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it comes to actual marketing, I do not think there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is much better fit. I tried to find even more factors that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, but truthfully … I have a tough time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically via to be the closest competitors, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are going after the exact same target audience and have similar capabilities.
ConvertKit is likewise positioned at developers (like Substack), but it is a lot more highly dealing with people who do it for service. ConvertKit has great aesthetic automation building, it’s very own business system, and extra. ConvertKit is an actually great system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature breakdown right here. ConvertKit is popular already. However, below’s how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Points ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
As of now, ConvertKit has more versatility when it involves it’s automations. I will additionally say that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit more intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains marking. This is simply a basic function of email listings that allows segmentation in a far more versatile way than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain marking at some point soon, frankly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Polls Multiple Answer.
ConvertKit does now offer the capability to market points using their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly always choose a more straight option anyway. For me, I like to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and therefore has way much more integration choices. Tons of web-based tools and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is quite powerful. As an example, their plugin now also sustains member-gated web content as well as auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. Fundamentally, this much more very closely places ConvertKit right into direct competitors by having you have the ability to release to your website and your e-mail list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is severely lacking in these type of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also busy tackling the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For instance, 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 likewise pay per lead within the inner advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your listing. These are truly remarkable features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most popular viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall surface for what this indicates for the system going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Polls Multiple Answer
BeeHiiv is a lot previously in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. However, it additionally means that they are rapidly creating.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have witnessed virtually weekly launch of new features right into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … however big features that are fairly crucial. Their rate of development at this moment has been impressive.
I also quite appreciate how responsive they are. Actually, among their item statements regarding some layout improvements to the web design features actually contained a tiny issue with the web content width. I merely responded to that e-mail to tell them. I quickly got a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That same day, the problem was taken care of.
Few days later on, I gave them one more recommendation …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to trigger automations based upon the embed type used was added to the system.
That type of responsiveness and direct involvement of the group is something I actually appreciate.
Another major factor of distinction right here is the price. Both platforms provide complimentary plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan supplies more capability and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also much more favorable. ConvertKit appears less expensive in the beginning glimpse because their pricing page reveals reduced numbers, nevertheless the customer limits are much lower and your price swiftly raises as your checklist grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid each year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same size list is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their ideal plan and the one I personally use), you can expand your listing as much as 100,000. A checklist of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, also, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay annually, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv remains in an entirely various organization when it concerns pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately enhance rates? They may as time takes place. However, I’m thinking people like myself that are currently in will be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points continue.
Points I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the things you absolutely need to remember is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to progress rather promptly and make new product statements somewhat typically, however there are some basic features I actually desire they had that I need to simply await.
One is that they need to have a setup on membership types where I can pick an automation to run right at the form level. That would be AWESOME for many reasons. As of now, subscription forms look OK, however there’s very little settings for them to aid in segmentation.
It would certainly behave to have identifying at the subscriber level. This would certainly be effective.
I believe webhooks must become part of automations to make integrated automations much easier and reduce reliance on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are also some small administrative interface changes that would certainly come in handy. As an example:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove subscribers.
- Ability to bulk edit posts (as an example, to label a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard fields as basic on subscribers (like the name).
- Some more personalization options for the web site (such as more flexible color options, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I hope they finish with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, yet it isn’t ideal and certainly not nearly as established as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM item.
It possibly never ever will be, either. As I stated, the objective is different so it would not much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation system. I guess you never recognize, though.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv fairly a lot. Enough where I determined to switch my own e-newsletters over to the platform in spite of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and having my own system.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter publishing design particularly, I saw enough worth in their platform to necessitate the modification.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail list. I utilize BeeHiiv wherefore it is good at, yet I intentionally have things establish so that I additionally maintain my list “in home” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the same. It is just a good insurance policy, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your listing will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will certainly be).
So, the inquiry is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are using Substack today, I ‘d absolutely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will simply be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting different capabilities and various demands. And also, BeeHiiv also has import tools for Substack, so the button should be rather straightforward.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a large e-mail list and are therefore being wooled with their high monthly costs. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are iterating swiftly. There’s also a pretty good chance you’re not even making use of some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. For that reason, BeeHiiv could quickly be a much better and extra budget friendly fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be extremely willful concerning growing a newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to take into consideration and keep and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is just one of the very best video games around right now. This is the system to view.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth having a look at for yourself. And if you end up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the free account to be quite feature abundant.