I have utilized a great deal of different email list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a huge supporter of digital sovereignty and having your own system. Therefore (and the incredible features), I have actually been making use of Beehiiv PopUp.
So, it is undoubtedly an odd move for me to choose to utilize 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 review why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I want to address the concern of digital sovereignty while making use of the platform and I would certainly also like to deal with why I picked to use it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For Newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Huge Change In Strategy, I discussed exactly how and why I chose to transform my motor home blog into mainly a newsletter. I determined that was business version I wished to pursue with that said home.
But, to deliberately seek it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a system that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the email listing for Happily recreational vehicle, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, frankly, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. A lot more on that in a bit.
As I said because problem of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a platform with devices developed right into it certain to my function. Things such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog site) and send the e-mail simultaneously without having it be 2 separate activities.
- Integrated in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in ability to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are generally one-click membership web links. Great for promo in various other 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.
- Built-in advertisement network, if I select to generate income from with ads in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and essentially run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Basically, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features focused on growth. The system was essentially developed by the people that developed the technology for Morning Brew. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a various objective.
And I ended off with this:.
I might undoubtedly be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv as well. At least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. In fact, I just went for it. And as a matter of fact, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own property to ensure that I can expand it much more purposefully as well.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown individually. Happily motor home was young, so very easy to transition. But, The Morning WP (formerly The Side) was hidden in a sea of things here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will clearly constantly be carefully connected with the Blog site Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t have to belong of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was constructed for this function. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email Checklist
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter system and simply an email checklist.
You can hold your e-mail list just about anywhere you want and there are a number of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The main distinction is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of posting implies that it is mosting likely to your website and to your email subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a site. You are publishing to that internet site. However, you are likewise sending off to all customers at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes administration of the system much simpler.
With the majority of email systems, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an e-mail campaign. It is developed totally separately from your website. So, for instance, you may publish a write-up to WordPress but then you would require to individually build and send out an email to your checklist to send it to subscribers. These are then two different collections of archives and two different activities because blog posts and your emails are not naturally connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a real newsletter system is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name due to the fact that it pretty much “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress posts and permits them to be the same point. Absolutely, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a strong choice if I wanted to continue to self-host whatever. Nonetheless, you ‘d lose the growth devices that come with a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter inherently comes with a different set of requirements than a typical email listing.
You don’t typically need much marketing automation. You do not typically require autoresponder series, event monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO requirement, however, is one smooth posting experience and growth devices to aid you construct your client base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my clients that I was mosting likely to change the 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 chose to go with BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I believe Substack draws. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that Substack has actually been about much longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple things that originally obtained my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is actually built by the exact same people who developed the innovation behind Morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, doesn’t matter. But, the apparent positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter development called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “designer”. Development is what I have an interest in below.
- That branding and distinction likewise indicates that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brands and large publications utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo developers. Once again, it just tells me the client character distinction between both business.
Sending our my e-newsletter by means of FluentCRM didn’t exactly suck. The only reason I would ponder trembling points up is if I thought I can expand the checklist faster. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that goal.
Because of the targeting, I really do not view BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of customer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra straight competitors.
Yet, let’s dive much deeper than simply the placing right here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Overall, BeeHiiv appears like it was constructed by individuals that comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears more geared towards developers.
As an example, BeeHiiv supplies custom fields on clients. Now, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv supplies Automations. Actually, it is a visual automation builder that works a whole lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still quite limited in triggers and the only action is the ability to send an e-mail. Nevertheless, improvements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers as well as new actions, such as modifying custom-made areas, sending webhooks, etc. I’ve currently seen improvements to their automations just considering that I began using the system. As an example:
- Capability to trigger automations based upon which specific embed form they was available in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and take care of people based on opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do fundamental conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never will. Substack simply can not do this since the target market of Substack just would not think to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it involves composing your newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is just much more geared towards e-newsletters. As a matter of fact, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in how it works. I find it to be much more user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s creating user interface behaves and clean, but it would be a lot more equivalent to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is greater than just form. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Area” and after that placed anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Presence alternatives on that particular area to reveal it just to paid customers, conceal it from email, hide from customers, reveal only to subscribers, etc. Substack uses nothing such as this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a costs subscription design, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any kind of earnings. As a matter of fact, you actually attach up to your own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your profits. Depending on the amount of customers you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit even more cash than the regular monthly price of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This could seem unpopular, however what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outdoors using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in any way.
In general, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was extra built towards actual e-mail marketing. It was developed by people who “get it”. Even the opt-in kinds and the landing page makes appear better built for conversions. Development is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv add, I like the direction it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have said, Substack placements itself toward “creators” greater than email online marketers and newsletter owners. For that reason, you see some things tailored extra toward people that just think in terms of content development.
For example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain multiple publications, they are dealt with quite separately. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to numerous magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, however … amazing for people that might require it.
Substack additionally has even more social performance built-in. As an example, it has a conversation feature to host talks with customers. It also has a “Notes” feature which works kind of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. In general, Substack is established to be a lot more like a social media which sustains long-form web content.
Generally, Substack is also a lot more … minimalist. You either look after that or do not. Personally, I do not. Nevertheless, if the goal is simplicity of user interface and, honestly, features … Substack functions rather well.
But, I’ll be clear here …
When it concerns real marketing, I do not think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better suited. I looked for more points that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, yet honestly … I have a hard time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically via to be the closest competitors, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are pursuing the very same target audience and have comparable abilities.
ConvertKit is additionally positioned at designers (like Substack), but it is far more strongly satisfying individuals that do it for service. ConvertKit has good visual automation building, it’s own business system, and a lot more. ConvertKit is an actually wonderful system.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is well known already. Yet, here’s just how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Points ConvertKit Is Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has much more versatility when it pertains to it’s automations. I will additionally claim that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit much more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains identifying. This is simply a basic feature of email listings that enables division in an even more versatile means than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support tagging at some point soon, honestly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv PopUp.
ConvertKit does currently give the capability to offer things by means of their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is very important to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would always pick a much more straight option anyway. For me, I prefer to utilize my very own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and for that reason has way much more integration options. Tons of web-based devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their very own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. As an example, their plugin now also sustains member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. Essentially, this more carefully puts ConvertKit into direct competitors by having you have the ability to publish to your site and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly doing not have in these type of third-party integrations right now. It’ll arrive. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even busy dealing with the growth tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your newsletter with rewards, however you can likewise pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your checklist. These are truly amazing features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just 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 wherefore this implies for the platform going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv PopUp
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means much less features and much less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. Nevertheless, it also indicates that they are swiftly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have observed nearly weekly launch of new features right into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … but big features that are fairly crucial. Their rate of development at this moment has been impressive.
I also very much appreciate exactly how responsive they are. As a matter of fact, one of their item announcements about some design improvements to the web design features actually consisted of a small issue with the web content size. I merely replied to that e-mail to tell them. I rapidly got a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the issue was fixed.
Couple of days later on, I gave them one more pointer …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to trigger automations based upon the embed kind made use of was contributed to the system.
That sort of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I really value.
One more major factor of distinction here is the price. Both systems provide complimentary plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan uses a lot more ability and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also FAR more positive. ConvertKit seems cheaper in the beginning glimpse since their pricing page shows lower numbers, nonetheless the client restrictions are FAR reduced and your rate swiftly boosts as your list expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid each year), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That same size list is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I directly make use of), you can expand your listing approximately 100,000. A checklist of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, also, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, too. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv remains in a completely different league when it comes to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point boost rates? They could as time goes on. But, I’m guessing individuals like myself who are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points proceed.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Add
Among things you certainly require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to evolve instead promptly and make new item news rather frequently, but there are some fundamental features I actually desire they had that I require to simply wait on.
One is that they require to have a setup on registration kinds where I might select an automation to run right at the kind level. That would certainly be incredible for numerous factors. As of now, membership types look OK, yet there’s really little settings for them to help in segmentation.
It would behave to have tagging at the customer degree. This would be effective.
I think webhooks should become part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and lower reliance on outside devices like Zapier.
There are additionally some small management interface changes that would be handy. For example:
- Capability to mass edit/remove customers.
- Ability to mass edit articles (for example, to label a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental areas as common on customers (like the name).
- Some even more modification options for the internet site (such as more versatile shade selections, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I wish they make with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t excellent and definitely not virtually as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It possibly never ever will be, either. As I said, the function is various so it wouldn’t much a great deal of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation platform. I presume you never understand, though.
Last Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv rather a whole lot. Sufficient where I made a decision to change my very own newsletters over to the system in spite of my individual preference for digital sovereignty and possessing my own system.
Put simply, for the newsletter publishing design specifically, I saw enough value in their system to require the change.
Bear in mind, I do not use BeeHiiv as my special email list. I utilize BeeHiiv wherefore it is efficient, however I intentionally have things establish so that I likewise keep my list “in residence” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the very same. It is just a great insurance coverage, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will certainly be).
So, the question is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack today, I ‘d definitely think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will simply be extra business-friendly. It is targeting various capabilities and different demands. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import tools for Substack, so the switch needs to be rather uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d most likely sit tight unless you have a large e-mail list and are for that reason being wooled with their high month-to-month bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are repeating swiftly. There’s additionally a pretty good chance you’re not also utilizing a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t also need them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might easily be a much better and much more budget-friendly fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be very intentional regarding 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 designed to be, it is one of the best video games in the area right now. This is the system to see.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth checking out on your own. And if you wind up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll locate the complimentary account to be rather feature rich.