I have made use of a great deal of various email list systems over the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a massive supporter of digital sovereignty and possessing your own system. For that reason (and the awesome features), I have been making use of Beehiiv Case Studies.
So, it is undoubtedly a weird move for me to determine to use BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a held application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I intend to look at why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I wish to resolve the concern of digital sovereignty while making use of the system and I would certainly additionally such as to resolve why I selected to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For E-newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Big Shift In Technique, I spoke about exactly how and why I determined to transform my motor home blog site into mostly an e-newsletter. I determined that was business version I wanted to pursue with that said residential property.
But, to intentionally 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 Gladly recreational vehicle, however FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, honestly, using it for e-newsletters is a little bit of a waste. More on that particular in a bit.
As I stated because problem of the newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools built into it certain to my function. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog) and send the email all at once without having it be two separate activities.
- Constructed in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not 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 Hyperlinks”, which are basically one-click subscription web links. Great for promotion in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, though, so there are ways to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I select to generate income from with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and primarily run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Basically, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features targeted at development. The system was literally built by the individuals who accumulated the innovation for Morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor here. BeeHiiv is developed from scratch for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I might certainly be relocating The Side over to BeeHiiv too. A minimum of, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. Actually, I simply went all out. And actually, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own property to ensure that I can grow it much more intentionally also.
The objective is that each newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded independently. Gladly motor home was young, so very easy to transition. Yet, The Morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried 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 own. It will clearly always be closely linked with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was constructed for this function. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Typical Email Listing
There’s a distinction in between a newsletter platform and simply an e-mail listing.
You can organize your email listing everywhere you desire and there are a number of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary difference is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of posting indicates that it is going to your site and to your email customers all at once.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are publishing to that website. However, you are also dispatching to all clients at the same time. The web site and it’s clients are done in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much less complex.
With a lot of e-mail systems, any type of newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built completely independently from your website. So, for example, you could release a post to WordPress but after that you would need to separately construct 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 since article and your e-mails are not naturally connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a true newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it practically “adhesives” your newsletter to your WordPress articles and allows them to be the exact same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid option if I wished to remain to self-host everything. However, you ‘d shed the growth tools that feature a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter naturally comes with a various set of demands than a common e-mail listing.
You do not generally require much marketing automation. You do not generally need autoresponder series, event monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, however, is one smooth publishing experience and development tools to help you build your subscriber base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my clients that I was mosting likely to switch the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the truth that I picked to choose BeeHiiv, that doesn’t imply I believe Substack sucks. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that Substack has actually been around much longer, it is elder and has more features.
Although BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair things that at first obtained my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to newsletter publishers. Actually, it is essentially developed by the exact same folks who built the modern technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real world, doesn’t matter. However, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter development called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “developer”. Development is what I’m interested in right here.
- That branding and distinction also implies that BeeHiiv has some fairly big brands and huge magazines using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed more at solo makers. Once more, it just tells me the customer avatar difference between both firms.
Sending our my e-newsletter using FluentCRM didn’t exactly draw. The only reason I would contemplate shaking points up is if I thought I can GROW the listing quicker. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that objective.
Due to the targeting, I in fact do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a different sort of customer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being more straight competitors.
Yet, let’s dive much deeper than simply the positioning here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv appears like it was constructed by people who understanding email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems extra geared toward designers.
For example, BeeHiiv supplies custom fields on customers. Currently, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. As a matter of fact, it is a visual automation builder that works a lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still rather restricted in triggers and the only activity is the ability to send out an e-mail. Nevertheless, improvements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will have new triggers along with brand-new activities, such as customizing custom-made areas, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve currently seen improvements to their automations just since I began making use of the system. For example:
- Ability to trigger automations based upon which certain embed form they can be found in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and handle people based upon opens and non-opens).
- Capacity to do standard conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can not do this since the target market of Substack simply would not think to approach this like an email marketer.
When it involves creating your newsletters, the composing user interface of BeeHiiv is just a lot more geared toward newsletters. As a matter of fact, it really has similarities to the WordPress block builder in just how it works. I discover it to be a lot more user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s creating interface is nice and clean, however it would certainly be a lot more comparable to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is more than simply type. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and then put anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Presence choices on that particular section to reveal it only to paid clients, conceal it from email, hide from customers, reveal just to customers, etc. Substack supplies absolutely nothing similar to this.
And when/if the moment comes that I start a premium registration design, BeeHiiv does not take any type of revenue. In fact, you essentially link up to your own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your earnings. Relying on the amount of subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit more cash than the month-to-month expense of BeeHiiv.
Finally, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem nerdy, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outside using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack literally has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
In general, I just felt like BeeHiiv was extra developed toward real e-mail marketing. It was constructed by individuals that “get it”. Even the opt-in forms and the landing page designs seem much better constructed 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 direction it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have said, Substack placements itself toward “designers” greater than e-mail marketing professionals and e-newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some points tailored much more toward people who just believe in terms of web content creation.
For example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support several magazines, they are dealt with fairly independently. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to multiple publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … amazing for individuals who could need it.
Substack additionally has even more social performance built-in. As an example, it has a chat feature to host chats with customers. It also has a “Notes” feature which works type of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share points from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Intriguing. Overall, Substack is established to be a lot more like a social media network which sustains long-form material.
Generally, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimalist. You either take care of that or don’t. Directly, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simpleness of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
However, I’ll be clear below …
When it involves real marketing, I do not think there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better matched. I tried to find even more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, yet truthfully … I have a tough time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are frequently with to be the closest rivals, I in fact 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 developers (like Substack), but it is a lot more strongly dealing with individuals that do it for company. ConvertKit has nice visual automation structure, it’s own business platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a truly great platform.
I’m not mosting likely to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature malfunction here. ConvertKit is well known already. However, here’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
As of now, ConvertKit has a lot more versatility when it involves it’s automations. I will additionally claim that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit extra user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports labeling. This is simply a standard function of email listings that makes it possible for division in an even more flexible means than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support labeling eventually soon, frankly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Case Studies.
ConvertKit does now supply the capacity to sell points via their own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly constantly choose a more straight alternative anyhow. For me, I prefer to use my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been around much longer and for that reason has way extra integration choices. Lots of online devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is quite effective. For example, their plugin now even supports member-gated content as well as auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. In essence, this more closely places ConvertKit right into straight competition by having you have the ability to release to your site and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is severely lacking in these type of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll arrive. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even hectic tackling the development tools of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your newsletter with benefits, yet you can likewise pay per lead within the inner advertisement network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are really incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most popular viral promotion platforms for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall of what this implies for the system going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Case Studies
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nonetheless, it also indicates that they are rapidly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually witnessed virtually weekly release of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … but large features that are quite crucial. Their rate of advancement now has been impressive.
I additionally very much appreciate how receptive they are. In fact, among their item statements regarding some style improvements to the web design features actually included a small issue with the material size. I simply replied to that e-mail to tell them. I quickly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the problem was dealt with.
Few days later on, I provided another suggestion …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to activate automations based on the embed type utilized was included in the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight involvement of the team is something I actually appreciate.
Another significant factor of distinction right here is the cost. Both platforms use cost-free plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan uses more capacity and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise much more beneficial. ConvertKit seems cheaper initially glimpse due to the fact that their pricing web page reveals lower numbers, however the client limitations are much lower and your cost rapidly increases as your checklist grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid yearly), however you can have up to 10,000 clients. That exact same size list is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I personally utilize), you can expand your checklist approximately 100,000. A checklist of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, also, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay annually, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv is in a totally various league when it involves pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point increase rates? They might as time takes place. But, I’m presuming individuals like myself who are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things continue.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among things you most definitely require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do seem to progress instead rapidly and make brand-new item news somewhat typically, but there are some standard features I truly wish they had that I require to simply wait for.
One is that they require to have a setup on membership forms where I could choose an automation to run right at the kind level. That would be outstanding for a lot of reasons. Already, membership types look OK, but there’s very little setups for them to help in segmentation.
It would certainly be nice to have identifying at the subscriber degree. This would certainly be powerful.
I believe webhooks ought to be part of automations to make integrated automations less complicated and minimize dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are also some small management interface modifications that would certainly be handy. For example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to mass edit articles (for instance, to label a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic areas as standard on clients (like the name).
- Some even more personalization alternatives for the web site (such as more adaptable shade selections, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Things I wish they make with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t best and certainly not virtually as established as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM product.
It most likely never will be, either. As I said, the objective is different so it wouldn’t a lot a great deal of sense for BeeHiiv to end up being a complete marketing automation platform. I guess you never ever recognize, though.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv rather a great deal. Enough where I chose to switch my own e-newsletters over to the system in spite of my personal preference for digital sovereignty and possessing my own system.
Simply put, for the newsletter publishing design particularly, I saw enough value in their platform to require the adjustment.
Keep in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail checklist. I use BeeHiiv for what it is proficient at, however I intentionally have things set up to ensure that I additionally keep my checklist “in house” inside of FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the same. It is simply an excellent insurance coverage, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the inquiry is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack today, I ‘d definitely think about switching over to BeeHiiv. It will just be much more business-friendly. It is targeting different capacities and various needs. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the button should be pretty simple.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a big email checklist and are for that reason being wooled with their high regular monthly bill. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating quickly. There’s also a pretty good chance you’re not also using several of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t even require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv might quickly be a far better and a lot more affordable fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be very intentional regarding growing a newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is among the best video games in town now. This is the system to view.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves having a look at on your own. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll find the totally free account to be fairly feature rich.