I have made use of a lot of different email list systems for many years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a significant supporter of digital sovereignty and owning your own platform. For that reason (and the remarkable features), I have actually been utilizing Advertise on Beehiiv.
So, it is certainly an odd move for me to make a decision to make use of BeeHiiv. After all, it is an organized application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I wish to go over why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I intend to attend to the issue of digital sovereignty while utilizing the system and I would certainly likewise such as to attend to why I chose to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Huge Change In Strategy, I spoke about just how and why I chose to turn my recreational vehicle blog right into primarily a newsletter. I chose that was the business design I wished to pursue with that residential property.
Yet, to deliberately pursue it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the e-mail listing for Happily recreational vehicle, yet FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, utilizing it for e-newsletters is a bit of a waste. A lot more on that particular in a bit.
As I said in that problem of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with devices built right into it certain to my function. Points such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog site) and send out the email concurrently without having it be 2 different actions.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in ability to do cross-promotions with various other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are primarily one-click membership links. Great for promo in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, though, so there are means to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I select to generate income from with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and generally run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features aimed at growth. The platform was essentially developed by the individuals that developed the modern technology for Morning Mixture. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the factor here. BeeHiiv is constructed from scratch for the function of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I might 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 simply went all out. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s own building to make sure that I can expand it extra purposefully too.
The objective is that each newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded individually. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so simple to change. Yet, The Morning WP (formerly The Side) was hidden in a sea of stuff right here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s very own. It will certainly constantly be closely connected with the Blog Marketing Academy, but does not have to belong of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv because it was developed for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Regular Email Listing
There’s a difference in between a newsletter system and just an email list.
You can host your email listing anywhere you want 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 distinction?
The main difference is that, with an e-newsletter system, the act of publishing indicates that it is mosting likely to your website and to your email subscribers concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are releasing to that site. Yet, you are additionally sending off to all clients at the same time. The site and it’s customers are all in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much easier.
With the majority of email platforms, any type of newsletter you established is done as an email campaign. It is built totally independently from your site. So, as an example, you might release an article to WordPress however then you would certainly need to individually build and send an e-mail to your checklist to send it to customers. These are after that two different sets of archives and two separate actions because blog posts and your e-mails are not inherently linked.
The closest point that transforms WordPress into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name because it pretty much “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress posts and enables them to be the very same thing. Absolutely, something like E-newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong option if I intended to remain to self-host every little thing. However, you ‘d lose the growth tools that feature a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting an e-newsletter naturally comes with a different collection of demands than a normal email listing.
You do not generally require much marketing automation. You do not normally need autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, though, is one seamless posting experience and growth tools to aid you build your subscriber base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was going to change the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was selecting it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the reality that I selected to go with BeeHiiv, that does not mean I assume Substack draws. As a matter of fact, because Substack has been around longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that initially got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is especially tailored to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is essentially constructed by the exact same folks who constructed the modern technology behind Morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real life, doesn’t matter. But, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter growth called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “developer”. Development is what I’m interested in below.
- That branding and distinction additionally suggests that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brand names and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo creators. Again, it just informs me the customer avatar difference between the two companies.
Sending our my e-newsletter using FluentCRM really did not specifically draw. The only factor I would consider shaking things up is if I thought I might GROW the listing quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that goal.
As a result of the targeting, I actually don’t watch BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of consumer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct competitors.
Yet, allow’s dive deeper than just the positioning here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
In general, BeeHiiv feels like it was built by people who recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems extra geared towards creators.
As an example, BeeHiiv uses personalized fields on clients. Currently, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. In fact, it is a visual automation builder that functions a great deal like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation performance is still early-phase. It is still quite minimal in triggers and the only action is the capability to send out an email. However, enhancements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will have new triggers along with new actions, such as changing personalized fields, sending out webhooks, etc. I’ve already seen improvements to their automations simply given that I started using the system. For instance:
- Capacity to trigger automations based upon which certain embed kind they came in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and take care of people based on opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do basic conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can not do this since the target market of Substack just wouldn’t think to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it comes to writing your e-newsletters, the writing user interface of BeeHiiv is simply extra geared toward e-newsletters. In fact, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in just how it functions. I locate it to be more user-friendly, directly.
Substack’s writing user interface behaves and clean, however it would certainly be extra equal to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is more than simply kind. For example, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Area” and then placed anything you want in it. After that, you can place Presence choices on that particular area to reveal it just to paid subscribers, hide it from email, hide from subscribers, reveal only to customers, etc. Substack offers absolutely nothing such as this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium membership design, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of profits. Actually, you essentially link 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 subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit even more cash than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear nerdy, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv deal with the outside making use of tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
On the whole, I simply felt like BeeHiiv was a lot more built toward actual e-mail marketing. It was developed by individuals that “get it”. Also the opt-in forms and the landing page creates seem far better developed for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv add, I like the direction it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have stated, Substack settings itself toward “developers” greater than email marketing professionals and newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some things tailored extra towards people who simply assume in regards to material production.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain several publications, they are dealt with quite independently. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to numerous publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … cool for individuals who may require it.
Substack additionally has more social functionality built-in. As an example, it has a chat function to host chats with clients. It additionally has a “Notes” function which functions kind of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. On the whole, Substack is established to be much more like a social media network which sustains long-form material.
Overall, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimalist. You either take care of that or don’t. Directly, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the goal is simpleness of interface and, truthfully, features … Substack works rather well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it comes to actual marketing, I don’t assume there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is better matched. I searched for even more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, but truthfully … 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 competitors. Both are pursuing the same target audience and have similar capacities.
ConvertKit is additionally placed at developers (like Substack), but it is far more strongly accommodating individuals who do it for service. ConvertKit has nice aesthetic automation structure, it’s very own commerce system, and much more. ConvertKit is a really nice platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is popular currently. Yet, here’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has a lot more adaptability when it pertains to it’s automations. I will certainly also claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains tagging. This is simply a basic function of e-mail lists that makes it possible for segmentation in an even more versatile means than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to sustain labeling eventually quickly, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Advertise on Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does currently supply the ability to market points through their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would always pick an extra direct choice anyway. For me, I favor to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and therefore has way more integration choices. Lots of web-based devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. For instance, their plugin currently also sustains member-gated content as well as auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. Basically, this much more carefully places ConvertKit right into straight competitors by having you have the ability to publish to your website and your email checklist at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly doing not have in these type of third-party integrations right now. It’ll get there. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even active dealing with the development devices of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your newsletter with benefits, however you can additionally pay per lead within the internal ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are actually incredible features of BeeHiiv. Yet …
Did you understand ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of the most well known viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall surface for what this indicates for the platform moving forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Better At … Advertise on Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that indicates less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise suggests that they are swiftly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have witnessed virtually weekly release of brand-new features into the system. And these aren’t puny little features … but huge features that are fairly essential. Their speed of advancement at this point has gone over.
I also quite value how responsive they are. In fact, among their product statements concerning some layout enhancements to the web design features actually included a tiny issue with the web content width. I simply replied to that email to tell them. I rapidly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That very same day, the problem was repaired.
Couple of days later, I provided an additional tip …
Indeed, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to cause automations based upon the embed type used was included in the system.
That type of responsiveness and direct participation of the group is something I truly appreciate.
Another major factor of distinction right here is the rate. Both platforms provide cost-free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan offers a lot more ability and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more positive. ConvertKit seems cheaper at first look because their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nonetheless the client limitations are much reduced and your cost swiftly enhances as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid annually), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same dimension listing is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I directly use), you can grow your list as much as 100,000. A listing of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, also, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay every year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv remains in a totally different organization when it comes to pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually raise costs? They could as time goes on. However, I’m presuming people like myself who are currently in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things proceed.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Add
Among things you definitely require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to develop rather quickly and make brand-new product statements somewhat often, however there are some basic features I really want they had that I require to just wait on.
One is that they require to have a setting on subscription kinds where I could choose an automation to run right at the type level. That would be outstanding for a lot of reasons. Already, subscription types look OK, yet there’s extremely little setups for them to aid in division.
It would behave to have identifying at the client level. This would be effective.
I think webhooks ought to become part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and reduce dependence on outdoors tools like Zapier.
There are also some small administrative user interface adjustments that would certainly come in handy. For instance:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove clients.
- Ability to mass edit articles (for example, to mark a number of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of basic areas as standard on subscribers (like the name).
- Some more modification alternatives for the site (such as more adaptable shade options, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Things I hope they do with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, however it isn’t perfect and certainly not virtually as created as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It possibly never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the function is different so it wouldn’t a lot a great deal of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation system. I guess you never ever know, however.
Final Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv quite a whole lot. Sufficient where I determined to switch my very own newsletters over to the platform regardless of my personal preference for digital sovereignty and having my very own platform.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter posting version specifically, I saw adequate value in their system to necessitate the modification.
Remember, I do not use BeeHiiv as my exclusive e-mail checklist. I utilize BeeHiiv for what it is good at, yet I deliberately have points establish to ensure that I also maintain my list “in house” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize 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 complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the question is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack right now, I ‘d definitely think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will just be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various needs. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import tools for Substack, so the button must be rather straightforward.
If you are on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay unless you have a huge e-mail checklist and are as a result being wooled with their high monthly expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are iterating rapidly. There’s additionally a pretty good possibility you’re not even using a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could easily be a much better and much more budget-friendly fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be very deliberate about expanding a newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE platform to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open regarding what it is made to be, it is just one of the most effective games in town right now. This is the platform to view.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth having a look at for yourself. And if you end up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll find the complimentary account to be rather feature rich.