I have made use of a lot of different email list systems for many years. In the last number of years, I’ve been a big advocate of digital sovereignty and having your own platform. For that reason (and the outstanding features), I have been utilizing Beehiiv Funding.
So, it is indeed an unusual move for me to determine to utilize BeeHiiv. After all, it is a held application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I intend to discuss why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I intend to deal with the issue of digital sovereignty while using the system and I would certainly likewise such as to deal with why I picked to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For E-newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my newsletter called My Hobby + A Huge Shift In Technique, I spoke about exactly how and why I decided to transform my motor home blog site into mainly an e-newsletter. I determined that was the business design I wished to pursue with that building.
Yet, to deliberately pursue it as a newsletter, I wanted a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the email list for Gladly RV, yet FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, honestly, using it for newsletters is a little bit of a waste. A lot more on that in a bit.
As I claimed because problem of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools constructed into it specific to my objective. Things such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog site) and send out the email simultaneously without having it be 2 separate actions.
- Integrated in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would require 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 membership links. Great for promotion in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Built-in ad network, if I select to generate income from with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in ability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and primarily run a premium newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Primarily, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features aimed at development. The system was actually built by the individuals who developed the innovation for Early morning Brew. They know what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. BeeHiiv is built from scratch for the purpose of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I may undoubtedly be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv also. A minimum of, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. In fact, I just went all out. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s very own home to ensure that I can expand it much more intentionally as well.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded independently. Gladly RV was young, so easy to shift. Yet, The Morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried in a sea of things right here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will clearly always be carefully tied with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet does not have to belong of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this function. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email List
There’s a distinction in between an e-newsletter system and just an email list.
You can host your e-mail listing everywhere you want 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 difference?
The main difference is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting suggests that it is going to your website and to your e-mail clients at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are releasing to that website. But, you are also sending off to all customers at the same time. The website and it’s clients are done in one. This makes management of the platform much simpler.
With many e-mail platforms, any kind of e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built completely individually from your web site. So, for instance, you could publish a write-up to WordPress however then you would require to individually construct and send out an e-mail to your list to send it to subscribers. These are after that two different collections of archives and two different actions since article and your emails are not inherently connected.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a true newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name because it practically “adhesives” your e-newsletter to your WordPress articles and allows them to be the very same thing. Absolutely, something like E-newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong option if I wished to continue to self-host everything. Nonetheless, you ‘d lose the growth devices that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter inherently includes a different collection of requirements than a regular e-mail list.
You do not typically require much marketing automation. You don’t typically need autoresponder sequences, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO requirement, however, is one smooth posting experience and development tools to assist you build your customer base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my customers that I was going to change the 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 selected to choose BeeHiiv, that doesn’t mean I think Substack sucks. Actually, since Substack has actually been about much longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that initially got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is literally constructed by the exact same folks that built the modern technology behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. But, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “creator”. Growth is what I want right here.
- That branding and distinction additionally means that BeeHiiv has some fairly large brands and big publications utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo developers. Once again, it just tells me the client avatar difference in between both companies.
Sending our my newsletter via FluentCRM didn’t specifically draw. The only factor I would certainly ponder drinking points up is if I thought I can expand the listing quicker. And BeeHiiv talked specifically to that goal.
Because of the targeting, I really do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a different kind of customer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more straight competitors.
But, allow’s dive deeper than just the placing right here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv appears like it was constructed by individuals that comprehending email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems more geared toward creators.
As an example, BeeHiiv uses customized fields on clients. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv supplies Automations. Actually, it is a visual automation builder that functions a 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 capability to send out an email. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers as well as new actions, such as modifying customized fields, sending webhooks, and so on. I have actually already seen enhancements to their automations just because I began making use of the platform. As an example:
- Ability to cause automations based on which particular embed kind they came in on.
- Capacity to instantly do re-engagement (and deal with individuals based on opens and non-opens).
- Capability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can not do this due to the fact that the target market of Substack just wouldn’t believe to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it concerns composing your newsletters, the composing user interface of BeeHiiv is just extra tailored toward e-newsletters. As a matter of fact, it really has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in just how it works. I discover it to be more intuitive, directly.
Substack’s composing user interface behaves and tidy, however it would certainly be much more comparable to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is more than simply form. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Section” and then put anything you desire in it. Then, you can place Exposure options on that particular area to show it just to paid customers, conceal it from email, conceal from subscribers, show just to subscribers, and so on. Substack provides nothing such as this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a costs membership model, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of revenue. In fact, you essentially attach as much as your own Stripe account and it charges directly to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your income. Relying on how many subscribers you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more money than the month-to-month expense of BeeHiiv.
Finally, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear nerdy, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv work with the outside using tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in any way.
Generally, I simply seemed like BeeHiiv was extra developed toward real email marketing. It was built by individuals who “get it”. Even the opt-in types and the landing page creates appear far better constructed for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I want to see BeeHiiv add, I like the direction it is going greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have stated, Substack positions itself toward “developers” more than email marketing experts and newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some points tailored much more toward individuals that just believe in terms of web content development.
For example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does support several magazines, 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, yet … cool for individuals who may need it.
Substack likewise has more social performance built-in. For example, it has a chat feature to host chats with customers. It also has a “Notes” function which functions type of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share points from other “Stacks” you read. Fascinating. Generally, Substack is set up to be a lot more like a social network which supports long-form content.
Overall, Substack is additionally extra … minimal. You either look after that or don’t. Directly, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simpleness of interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions quite well.
But, I’ll be clear right here …
When it comes to real marketing, I do not believe there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I searched for more factors that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, yet honestly … I have a tough time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are commonly with to be the closest competitors, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have comparable capabilities.
ConvertKit is likewise placed at makers (like Substack), however it is a lot more highly dealing with individuals that do it for company. ConvertKit has wonderful visual automation structure, it’s own business platform, and extra. ConvertKit is a really wonderful system.
I’m not mosting likely to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature breakdown below. ConvertKit is well known currently. Yet, right here’s how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has extra adaptability when it pertains to it’s automations. I will likewise say that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit extra intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains labeling. This is simply a standard function of e-mail lists that enables division in an even more versatile way than BeeHiiv presently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support labeling at some time quickly, honestly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Funding.
ConvertKit does currently offer the ability to market points via their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly constantly choose a more straight alternative anyhow. For me, I favor to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been around a lot longer and therefore has way extra integration options. Tons of web-based tools and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. As an example, their plugin now also supports member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. Basically, this more very closely places ConvertKit right into direct competition by having you be able to release to your website and your email listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly lacking in these sort of third-party integrations currently. It’ll get there. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also hectic tackling the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with rewards, yet you can likewise pay per lead within the interior advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your list. These are truly amazing features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most well known viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall of what this implies for the system moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Funding
BeeHiiv is a lot previously in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that indicates much less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nevertheless, it likewise indicates that they are rapidly developing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have seen practically once a week release of new features into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … however big features that are quite vital. Their speed of advancement at this point has actually been impressive.
I additionally significantly appreciate how receptive they are. Actually, one of their product announcements concerning some design improvements to the web design features actually had a small trouble with the content size. I just replied to that e-mail to tell them. I rapidly got a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That same day, the issue was dealt with.
Few days later on, I provided another recommendation …
Indeed, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to trigger automations based on the embed type made use of was included in the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I actually value.
Another major point of differentiation right here is the rate. Both systems supply complimentary plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan provides more capacity and more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more favorable. ConvertKit appears cheaper in the beginning glimpse since their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nevertheless the client limits are FAR lower and your cost quickly increases as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid yearly), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same size checklist is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their ideal plan and the one I directly utilize), you can expand your list up to 100,000. A checklist of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay every year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay annually.
BeeHiiv remains in a totally different organization when it concerns pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately raise rates? They could as time takes place. Yet, I’m guessing individuals like myself who are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the things you definitely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do appear to develop instead rapidly and make new item news rather often, however there are some basic features I truly wish they had that I need to just wait for.
One is that they need to have a setup on subscription types where I can choose an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would certainly be remarkable for numerous factors. As of now, registration types look OK, however there’s extremely little settings for them to help in segmentation.
It would be nice to have tagging at the subscriber degree. This would be effective.
I believe webhooks ought to be part of automations to make built-in automations easier and minimize dependence on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are also some minor management user interface changes that would certainly come in handy. As an example:
- Capability to mass edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to bulk edit blog posts (for instance, to identify a number of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental areas as common on customers (like the name).
- Some even more customization options for the internet site (such as even more versatile color choices, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Things I wish they do with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t best and certainly not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM item.
It most likely never ever will be, either. As I stated, the function is various so it would not a lot a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation system. I guess you never know, though.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv rather a whole lot. Enough where I decided to switch my very own e-newsletters over to the system despite my individual preference for digital sovereignty and owning my own system.
Put simply, for the newsletter posting version especially, I saw enough worth in their system to necessitate the adjustment.
Remember, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my special e-mail checklist. I utilize BeeHiiv wherefore it is good at, yet I intentionally have things establish to make sure that I additionally maintain my list “in house” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the very same. It is just a good insurance coverage, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack today, I ‘d definitely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will merely be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various capabilities and different demands. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the switch should be rather simple.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly sit tight unless you have a large email listing and are for that reason being wooled with their high month-to-month costs. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are repeating promptly. There’s also a respectable chance you’re not also using some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can easily be a far better and a lot more economical fit.
Finally, if you plan to be very deliberate about growing an e-newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to consider and keep and eye on for you.
If you make use of BeeHiiv with eyes wide open about what it is created to be, it is just one of the very best video games in town today. This is the platform to view.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth having a look at on your own. And if you end up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll find the cost-free account to be fairly feature rich.