I have actually used a great deal of various e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a significant supporter of digital sovereignty and possessing your very own system. For that reason (and the outstanding features), I have been utilizing Beehiiv Inbox.
So, it is undoubtedly a weird move for me to decide to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is an organized application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I wish to review why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I wish to address the problem of digital sovereignty while using the system and I ‘d additionally like to attend to why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Change In Technique, I spoke about how and why I determined to transform my RV blog site right into mainly a newsletter. I chose that was business model I wanted to seek keeping that building.
However, to purposefully seek it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the email checklist for Gladly motor home, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, truthfully, utilizing it for newsletters is a little bit of a waste. Much more on that particular in a little bit.
As I said because concern of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools developed right into it particular to my function. Things such as:
- Ability to release (to the blog) and send the email all at once without having it be two different activities.
- Built in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capacity to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are basically one-click membership links. Great for promotion in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are ways to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your newsletter.
- Built-in ad network, if I choose to generate income from with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and essentially run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features targeted at growth. The platform was literally built by the individuals that accumulated the technology for Early morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the objective of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a different function.
And I ended off with this:.
I may certainly be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. A minimum of, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I just went all out. And actually, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Morning WP, set off as it’s very own residential or commercial property to make sure that I can expand it a lot more intentionally also.
The objective is that each newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded separately. Happily RV was young, so very easy to shift. However, The Early morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried in a sea of things below 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 very closely linked with the Blog Marketing Academy, but doesn’t need to belong of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Listing
There’s a distinction in between an e-newsletter platform and simply an email listing.
You can host your e-mail list just about anywhere you want and there are a variety of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The main difference is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting implies that it is going to your internet site and to your email customers all at once.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are publishing to that web site. Yet, you are likewise dispatching to all clients at the same time. The web site and it’s clients are all in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much less complex.
With most email platforms, any type of e-newsletter you set up is done as an e-mail campaign. It is constructed completely individually from your web site. So, for instance, you might release a post to WordPress however after that you would require to independently construct and send out an email to your list to send it to customers. These are after that two separate collections of archives and 2 different actions because post and your emails are not naturally linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress into a real e-newsletter system is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name since it practically “adhesives” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and enables them to be the very same thing. Definitely, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong option if I intended to continue to self-host every little thing. However, you ‘d lose the growth tools that come with a platform like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter inherently comes with a different collection of needs than a normal e-mail listing.
You do not generally require much marketing automation. You don’t usually require autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO demand, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development tools to assist you construct your customer base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I revealed to my clients that I was going to switch the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was selecting it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the fact that I chose to choose BeeHiiv, that does not imply I assume Substack draws. Actually, since Substack has been around much longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Despite the fact that BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple things that originally got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly tailored to newsletter authors. As a matter of fact, it is essentially developed by the same folks that developed the technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. But, the apparent positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter development called me out over the even more common positioning of being a “creator”. Growth is what I have an interest in right here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise indicates that BeeHiiv has some fairly big brands and large publications utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo makers. Once more, it simply tells me the consumer character difference between the two companies.
Sending our my e-newsletter through FluentCRM really did not specifically draw. The only factor I would certainly contemplate trembling points up is if I assumed I might GROW the listing quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke precisely to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I really do not check out BeeHiiv and Substack as straight rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of consumer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more straight competitors.
However, allow’s dive deeper than simply the positioning below.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv looks like it was constructed by people who recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more tailored toward developers.
As an example, BeeHiiv uses custom fields on clients. Now, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, it is an aesthetic automation builder that functions a whole lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation performance is still early-phase. It is still quite limited in triggers and the only action is the ability to send out an email. However, improvements are coming. Soon enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers as well as brand-new actions, such as customizing custom-made areas, sending out webhooks, etc. I have actually already seen enhancements to their automations just given that I began making use of the platform. For instance:
- Capability to cause automations based on which specific embed form they was available in on.
- Capacity to automatically do re-engagement (and handle people based on opens and non-opens).
- Capacity to do basic conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can not do this because the target market of Substack simply wouldn’t think to approach this like an email online marketer.
When it pertains to writing your e-newsletters, the writing interface of BeeHiiv is simply more geared towards e-newsletters. As a matter of fact, it really has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I find it to be much more instinctive, personally.
Substack’s composing user interface behaves and tidy, but it would certainly be extra equal to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than simply kind. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and then put anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Visibility alternatives on that area to reveal it just to paid subscribers, conceal it from e-mail, hide from subscribers, show just to clients, etc. Substack provides absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium registration design, BeeHiiv does not take any income. As a matter of fact, you essentially attach approximately your very own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your earnings. Depending upon the number of clients you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit even more money than the month-to-month price of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear unpopular, yet what it implies is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv deal with the outdoors 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 much more constructed toward real email marketing. It was built by individuals that “get it”. Even the opt-in types and the landing page designs appear much better developed for conversions. Development is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I like the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have said, Substack positions itself toward “makers” more than email marketing experts and newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some things geared a lot more toward individuals that simply assume in terms of web content development.
For example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support numerous publications, they are dealt with quite individually. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to multiple publications at the same time. This isn’t something I require, however … great for people who could require it.
Substack also has more social capability built-in. For example, it has a chat function to host chats with subscribers. It likewise has a “Notes” function which works type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you read. Interesting. In general, Substack is established to be more like a social media which sustains long-form web content.
On the whole, Substack is also extra … minimal. You either care for that or do not. Directly, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the goal is simpleness of user interface and, frankly, features … Substack functions pretty well.
But, I’ll be clear below …
When it pertains to real marketing, I don’t believe there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is better fit. I tried to find even more points that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, however frankly … 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 rivals. Both are going after the same target audience and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at developers (like Substack), however it is much more highly catering to people that do it for business. ConvertKit has great aesthetic automation building, it’s very own business platform, and more. ConvertKit is a truly great platform.
I’m not mosting likely to birthed you with a complete feature-by-feature malfunction here. ConvertKit is well known 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 likewise claim that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains marking. This is simply a basic feature of e-mail listings that allows segmentation in a far more versatile method than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support tagging eventually soon, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Inbox.
ConvertKit does now supply the ability to offer things using their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is very important to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would constantly pick a much more straight alternative anyway. For me, I choose to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and for that reason has way a lot more integration choices. Tons of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. As an example, their plugin now also sustains member-gated content as well as auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. Essentially, this extra very closely puts ConvertKit right into straight competitors by having you be able to release to your site and your e-mail list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly doing not have in these sort of third-party integrations currently. It’ll arrive. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also active tackling the growth devices of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your e-newsletter with rewards, but you can also pay per lead within the inner ad network of BeeHiiv to grow your listing. These are actually awesome features of BeeHiiv. Yet …
Did you recognize ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most popular viral promo systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall wherefore this suggests for the system going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Inbox
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that suggests less features and less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. However, it also suggests that they are rapidly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have observed practically regular launch of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t puny little features … but big features that are fairly vital. Their rate of growth at this point has actually gone over.
I additionally significantly value just how receptive they are. In fact, one of their product news concerning some design enhancements to the website design features actually contained a little trouble with the content width. I simply responded to that email to tell them. I rapidly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the problem was fixed.
Few days later on, I provided an additional recommendation …
Indeed, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to set off automations based on the embed form made use of was contributed to the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight involvement of the group is something I truly appreciate.
One more major factor of distinction right here is the rate. Both systems supply free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan supplies more ability and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise even more desirable. ConvertKit seems less costly initially glance due to the fact that their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, however the client restrictions are FAR lower and your rate promptly enhances as your listing grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid annually), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That exact same dimension list is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I directly utilize), you can grow your list as much as 100,000. A listing of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, too, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv remains in a totally various league when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually enhance rates? They might as time takes place. Yet, I’m presuming individuals like myself that are currently in will be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Things I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of the important things you certainly require to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do appear to progress rather swiftly and make new item announcements rather often, but there are some standard features I actually want they had that I require to simply wait for.
One is that they require to have a setup on membership forms where I might pick an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would be AWESOME for many reasons. Currently, registration forms look OK, however there’s very little setups for them to aid in segmentation.
It would be nice to have marking at the customer degree. This would certainly be effective.
I think webhooks need to belong to automations to make built-in automations easier and minimize dependence on outside devices like Zapier.
There are additionally some small administrative interface changes that would be handy. As an example:
- Capability to mass edit/remove subscribers.
- Capability to bulk edit posts (for example, to identify a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard fields as common on customers (like the name).
- Some more modification options for the internet site (such as even more adaptable shade choices, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Points I hope they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t perfect and definitely not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It probably never will certainly be, either. As I stated, the purpose is various so it wouldn’t a lot a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation system. I guess you never ever understand, however.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Evaluation
I like BeeHiiv rather a whole lot. Enough where I made a decision to switch my own newsletters over to the system regardless of my personal preference for digital sovereignty and possessing my own platform.
Put simply, for the newsletter publishing version especially, I saw sufficient worth in their system to require the modification.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail listing. I utilize BeeHiiv of what it is good at, but I deliberately have things set up to make sure that I also keep my listing “in house” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is simply an excellent insurance policy, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system 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 utilizing Substack now, I ‘d certainly consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will just be more business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and different demands. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the switch needs to be rather straightforward.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d probably sit tight unless you have a big email checklist and are as a result being fleeced with their high month-to-month bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are repeating swiftly. There’s likewise a pretty good opportunity you’re not even utilizing some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even require them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might quickly be a far better and a lot more inexpensive fit.
Finally, if you plan to be really deliberate about growing a newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open about what it is designed to be, it is among the most effective games in town now. This is the platform to watch.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth taking a look at on your own. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the free account to be fairly feature rich.