I have actually utilized a lot of various e-mail list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a huge supporter of digital sovereignty and having your very own platform. Because of that (and the amazing features), I have been using Beehiiv Make.com.
So, it is without a doubt a weird move for me to decide to make use of BeeHiiv. Besides, it is a held application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I wish to review why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I want to attend to the issue of digital sovereignty while making use of the system and I ‘d additionally such as to resolve why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For Newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my newsletter called My Hobby + A Large Change In Approach, I spoke about just how and why I made a decision to transform my RV blog site right into largely an e-newsletter. I made a decision that was business version I wanted to go after with that said residential property.
But, to purposefully seek it as an e-newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the email checklist for Gladly RV, however FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, using it for e-newsletters is a bit of a waste. Much more on that particular in a little bit.
As I stated in that problem of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools developed right into it specific to my function. Things such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog site) and send the e-mail all at once without having it be 2 different actions.
- Constructed in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capacity to do cross-promotions with other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are essentially one-click registration web links. Great for promotion in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are ways to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I select to generate income from with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and essentially run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Basically, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter publishers with features aimed at growth. The system was essentially built by the individuals who accumulated the modern technology for Morning Mixture. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the point here. BeeHiiv is developed from scratch for the objective of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various function.
And I finished off with this:.
I may without a doubt be moving The Side over to BeeHiiv as well. A minimum of, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. As a matter of fact, I just went all out. And actually, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Morning WP, set off as it’s own residential property to ensure that I can expand it more purposefully as well.
The objective is that each newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded separately. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so easy to change. However, The Early morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of stuff below 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 undoubtedly constantly be closely tied with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet does not need to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv since it was built for this function. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email Checklist
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter platform and simply an email checklist.
You can organize your e-mail listing everywhere you desire and there are a number of them available, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The key difference is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting implies that it is mosting likely to your internet site and to your e-mail clients all at once.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are releasing to that website. Yet, you are likewise sending to all customers at the same time. The web site and it’s clients are done in one. This makes management of the system much less complex.
With a lot of e-mail platforms, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is developed totally individually from your web site. So, for instance, you might release a post to WordPress yet then you would certainly require to separately develop and send out an email to your list to send it to subscribers. These are after that 2 separate sets of archives and two different actions due to the fact that post and your e-mails are not inherently linked.
The closest point that transforms WordPress right into a true e-newsletter platform is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it virtually “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress messages and allows them to be the exact same point. Definitely, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong alternative if I intended to remain to self-host whatever. Nevertheless, you would certainly lose the growth tools that come with a platform like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter inherently includes a various set of requirements than a common email listing.
You do not usually require much marketing automation. You don’t usually need autoresponder sequences, occasion monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO need, though, is one smooth publishing experience and growth devices to assist you construct your subscriber base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my customers that I was mosting likely to change the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the truth that I selected to go with BeeHiiv, that doesn’t imply I assume Substack draws. In fact, because Substack has actually been around much longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that originally got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically tailored to newsletter authors. In fact, it is literally built by the exact same people that built the innovation behind Morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real life, doesn’t matter. Yet, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter development called me out over the more common positioning of being a “designer”. Growth is what I want here.
- That branding and distinction also means that BeeHiiv has some rather large brands and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo developers. Once again, it simply tells me the client character distinction in between the two companies.
Sending our my newsletter through FluentCRM didn’t specifically suck. The only reason I would certainly contemplate shaking points up is if I assumed I could GROW the checklist quicker. And BeeHiiv talked precisely to that goal.
Due to the targeting, I actually don’t watch BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various sort of customer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being much more straight competitors.
However, let’s dive deeper than just the placing right here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv appears like it was built by individuals that recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears extra tailored toward developers.
For instance, BeeHiiv offers personalized areas on customers. Currently, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv offers Automations. In fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a great deal like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite restricted in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an email. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will certainly have new triggers as well as brand-new activities, such as modifying custom-made areas, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve currently seen improvements to their automations simply given that I began utilizing the platform. As an example:
- Capacity to cause automations based upon which particular embed type they was available in on.
- Capability to instantly do re-engagement (and handle individuals based on opens up and non-opens).
- Ability to do basic conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can’t do this because the target market of Substack just would not think to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it involves creating your newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is just much more geared toward newsletters. In fact, it actually has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I discover it to be much more instinctive, directly.
Substack’s creating user interface is nice and clean, however it would certainly be extra comparable to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is greater than simply type. For example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and after that put anything you want in it. After that, you can put Visibility alternatives on that section to reveal it only to paid subscribers, hide it from email, conceal from clients, reveal just to subscribers, and so on. Substack provides absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the moment comes that I start a costs membership model, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any type of profits. Actually, you essentially link approximately your own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your earnings. Depending on the number of subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be quite a bit even more cash than the regular monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This may seem unpopular, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv work with the outdoors making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
On the whole, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was extra built towards genuine email marketing. It was developed by people who “get it”. Even the opt-in kinds and the landing page makes seem much better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv add, I like the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually said, Substack placements itself towards “designers” greater than email marketers and e-newsletter owners. Because of that, you see some points geared much more towards individuals that simply assume in terms of web content development.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does support multiple magazines, they are dealt with fairly separately. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to numerous magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, yet … amazing for people who may require it.
Substack additionally has more social performance built-in. As an example, it has a conversation feature to host talks with subscribers. It likewise has a “Notes” function which works kind of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share points from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. Generally, Substack is set up to be more like a social network which supports long-form material.
On the whole, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimal. You either take care of that or don’t. Directly, I do not. However, if the objective is simplicity of user interface and, frankly, features … Substack functions pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear right here …
When it pertains to actual marketing, I do not believe there’s much question that BeeHiiv is better suited. I tried to find even more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, however truthfully … I have a difficult time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically via to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer competitors. Both are going after the very same target audience and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is also placed at designers (like Substack), but it is much more strongly dealing with people that do it for organization. ConvertKit has great visual automation structure, it’s very own commerce system, and a lot more. ConvertKit is an actually wonderful platform.
I’m not mosting likely to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature break down below. ConvertKit is well known currently. Yet, right here’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Points ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has a lot more flexibility when it involves it’s automations. I will also state that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains tagging. This is simply a basic feature of email listings that makes it possible for segmentation in an even more adaptable way than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain tagging at some point soon, honestly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Make.com.
ConvertKit does currently offer the capability to market things via their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would always choose a much more straight alternative anyhow. For me, I like to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been about a lot longer and therefore has way more integration choices. Tons of online devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. For instance, their plugin now also sustains member-gated material as well as auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. In essence, this extra closely puts ConvertKit into direct competition by having you have the ability to publish to your website and your email listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly lacking in these sort of third-party integrations right now. It’ll arrive. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even hectic taking on the growth devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with advantages, yet you can also pay per lead within the internal advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your listing. These are really remarkable features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of the most popular viral promotion systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall wherefore this means for the system going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Make.com
BeeHiiv is a lot previously in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means much less features and much less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. However, it likewise indicates that they are quickly creating.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually observed virtually once a week launch of new features right into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … yet big features that are quite essential. Their speed of development at this point has actually been impressive.
I likewise significantly value exactly how responsive they are. In fact, among their product news regarding some style improvements to the website design features in fact consisted of a tiny issue with the web content width. I merely replied to that email to tell them. I quickly obtained a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That same day, the problem was fixed.
Few days later on, I gave them another tip …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to set off automations based upon the embed kind utilized was contributed to the system.
That type of responsiveness and straight involvement of the group is something I truly value.
Another significant factor of differentiation right here is the price. Both systems offer cost-free plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers a lot more capability and more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also much more desirable. ConvertKit seems more affordable in the beginning glimpse since their pricing web page reveals lower numbers, nevertheless the subscriber limitations are much lower and your cost promptly increases as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first degree paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid every year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That exact same size listing is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I personally use), you can grow your listing as much as 100,000. A listing of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, as well, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay annually, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv is in a completely various organization when it pertains to pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately raise costs? They may as time goes on. But, I’m thinking individuals like myself who are currently in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how things proceed.
Things I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the important things you definitely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do seem to develop instead quickly and make new item announcements somewhat usually, but there are some fundamental features I really wish they had that I need to simply wait for.
One is that they require to have a setting on membership kinds where I might pick an automation to run right at the type level. That would be remarkable for a lot of reasons. As of now, registration types look OK, but there’s very little settings for them to assist in division.
It would certainly be nice to have identifying at the subscriber level. This would be powerful.
I assume webhooks ought to become part of automations to make built-in automations much easier and reduce dependence on outside devices like Zapier.
There are likewise some minor administrative user interface adjustments that would come in handy. For instance:
- Capability to mass edit/remove clients.
- Capability to bulk edit posts (as an example, to label a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental areas as typical on clients (like the name).
- Some more customization choices for the site (such as even more adaptable color choices, headline control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Points I wish they perform with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t excellent and absolutely not almost as established as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM product.
It probably never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the purpose is various so it wouldn’t much a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation platform. I guess you never ever know, though.
Last Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv quite a lot. Enough where I made a decision to change my own newsletters over to the platform regardless of my individual preference for digital sovereignty and owning my own system.
Simply put, for the e-newsletter posting model especially, I saw enough value in their system to necessitate the change.
Bear in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my exclusive email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv of what it is proficient at, yet I intentionally have points set up to ensure that I likewise keep my checklist “in home” within FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the very same. It is just a great insurance policy, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your checklist will 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 use BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d absolutely take into consideration changing to BeeHiiv. It will merely be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting different capabilities and different needs. And also, BeeHiiv also has import tools for Substack, so the button should be pretty simple.
If you get on ConvertKit now, I ‘d most likely sit tight unless you have a huge e-mail list and are therefore being wooled with their high monthly expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating promptly. There’s additionally a respectable chance you’re not even making use of some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could conveniently be a far better and more budget friendly fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be very willful about growing an e-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 created to be, it is one of the most effective video games in town today. This is the platform to view.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth checking out for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll locate the free account to be rather feature rich.