I have used a lot of different email list systems over the years. In the last number of years, I’ve been a substantial advocate of digital sovereignty and owning your very own system. For that reason (and the amazing features), I have actually been utilizing Beehiiv Omid G.
So, it is indeed a weird move for me to choose to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a held application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv review, I want to look at why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to resolve the concern of digital sovereignty while using the system and I would certainly additionally like to resolve why I selected to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Hobby + A Large Change In Method, I talked about just how and why I determined to transform my motor home blog site right into primarily an e-newsletter. I decided that was the business design I intended to pursue with that residential property.
But, to intentionally pursue it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the email list for Happily RV, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is developed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, truthfully, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. A lot more on that particular in a bit.
As I claimed in that issue of the newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools developed right into it specific to my objective. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog) and send out the email at the same time without having it be two different activities.
- Constructed in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capability to do cross-promotions with various other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are basically one-click registration web links. Great for promotion in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I choose to monetize 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 does not take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features focused on development. The system was essentially built by the individuals that accumulated the technology for Early morning Mixture. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is developed from the ground up for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different objective.
And I finished off with this:.
I may undoubtedly be relocating The Side over to BeeHiiv too. At the very least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I simply went for it. And actually, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s own property to ensure that I can grow it much more deliberately too.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown individually. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so simple to change. Yet, The Morning WP (previously The Edge) 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 expand it on it’s very own. It will undoubtedly always be very closely tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, however does not need to belong of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was developed for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Checklist
There’s a distinction between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail list.
You can host your email checklist everywhere you desire and there are a variety of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The key difference is that, with an e-newsletter platform, the act of posting implies that it is going to your internet site and to your e-mail clients simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are publishing to that web site. Yet, you are also sending to all subscribers at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes monitoring of the system much less complex.
With many e-mail systems, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an e-mail campaign. It is developed entirely individually from your site. So, for instance, you could release a short article to WordPress but after that you would need to separately construct and send out an email to your checklist to send it to clients. These are then 2 different sets of archives and two separate activities since blog posts and your emails are not inherently connected.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name since it basically “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress blog posts and enables them to be the same thing. Definitely, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid alternative if I wished to remain to self-host everything. However, you would certainly shed the growth devices that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter naturally comes with a different set of demands than a typical email listing.
You don’t typically need much marketing automation. You do not typically require autoresponder sequences, occasion monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO requirement, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development devices to help you construct your customer base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my customers that I was going to switch the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the fact that I selected to opt for BeeHiiv, that doesn’t indicate I think Substack draws. Actually, since Substack has actually been about much longer, it is elder and has more features.
Despite the fact that BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair things that at first obtained my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter authors. As a matter of fact, it is actually built by the very same people that developed the innovation behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. However, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter development called me out over the more common positioning of being a “developer”. Development is what I want right here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise indicates that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brand names and big magazines using it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo designers. Once again, it simply tells me the customer character distinction between both firms.
Sending our my newsletter through FluentCRM really did not exactly suck. The only factor I would certainly contemplate shaking points up is if I believed I could expand the listing much faster. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that goal.
As a result of the targeting, I really don’t check out BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a various sort of consumer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct competitors.
But, allow’s dive much deeper than just the positioning below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv seems like it was constructed by individuals who comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems much more tailored toward makers.
For instance, BeeHiiv supplies custom areas on subscribers. Now, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv supplies Automations. Actually, it is a visual automation builder that works a whole lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite limited in triggers and the only activity is the capacity to send out an email. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will certainly have new triggers in addition to brand-new activities, such as changing custom areas, sending webhooks, etc. I have actually currently seen enhancements to their automations simply because I began making use of the system. For instance:
- Capability to activate automations based upon which details embed type they can be found in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and manage people based on opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never will. Substack simply can not do this due to the fact that the target market of Substack simply would not think to approach this like an email marketing professional.
When it concerns writing your newsletters, the creating interface of BeeHiiv is simply more geared toward e-newsletters. In fact, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in how it works. I find it to be extra user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s creating user interface is nice and tidy, yet it would be extra comparable to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than just type. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and afterwards placed anything you desire in it. Then, you can place Exposure options on that section to show it only to paid subscribers, hide it from e-mail, conceal from clients, show only to customers, etc. Substack uses absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the moment comes that I start a costs subscription model, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any type of income. In fact, you actually attach approximately your own Stripe account and it charges directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your profits. Relying on the amount of subscribers you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more money than the month-to-month expense of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear unpopular, yet what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv deal with the outdoors utilizing tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … nothing. No integrations whatsoever.
In general, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was extra developed towards real e-mail marketing. It was constructed by individuals who “get it”. Even the opt-in forms and the landing page designs appear much better built for conversions. Growth 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 greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have stated, Substack placements itself toward “creators” more than email marketing experts and newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some points tailored much more toward people that simply assume in terms of content production.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous magazines, they are treated quite individually. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to numerous publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … trendy for individuals that might require it.
Substack also has more social performance built-in. For example, it has a conversation function to host chats with clients. It additionally has a “Notes” function which functions kind of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from various other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. In general, Substack is established to be more like a social media network which supports long-form content.
On the whole, Substack is also extra … minimal. You either care for that or don’t. Personally, I do not. Nonetheless, if the objective is simplicity of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions rather well.
However, I’ll be clear right here …
When it involves real marketing, I do not think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is better matched. I tried to find more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, but truthfully … I have a tough time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are frequently through to be the closest competitors, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the same target market and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is additionally positioned at makers (like Substack), but it is a lot more highly satisfying people who do it for business. ConvertKit has great visual automation structure, it’s very own business platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is an actually great system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature failure right here. ConvertKit is popular already. But, right here’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has a lot more flexibility when it involves it’s automations. I will certainly additionally state that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit extra user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains marking. This is just a basic feature of email listings that allows segmentation in a much more flexible method than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support identifying at some point quickly, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Omid G.
ConvertKit does currently supply the capability to market things via their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would always pick a much more straight option anyhow. For me, I prefer to use my own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and therefore has way much more integration alternatives. Lots of web-based devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For example, their plugin now even supports member-gated material along with auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. Fundamentally, this a lot more carefully places ConvertKit into direct competition by having you have the ability to release to your site and your email listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is drastically lacking in these sort of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll arrive. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also busy tackling the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with rewards, but you can likewise pay per lead within the interior advertisement network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are actually incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most well known viral promotion platforms for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall wherefore this implies for the system moving forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Omid G
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise indicates that they are swiftly developing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have seen practically regular launch of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … yet large features that are rather crucial. Their speed of development at this point has actually been impressive.
I also quite appreciate exactly how receptive they are. Actually, one of their item statements about some layout improvements to the website design features in fact contained a small problem with the content size. I just replied to that email to tell them. I promptly got a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the issue was dealt with.
Couple of days later on, I gave them one more suggestion …
Sure enough, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to activate automations based on the embed form utilized was added to the system.
That sort of responsiveness and straight participation of the group is something I really value.
An additional major factor of distinction below is the price. Both systems use cost-free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan offers a lot more ability and even more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally much more favorable. ConvertKit seems less costly at first glance since their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, however the subscriber limitations are FAR reduced and your price quickly increases as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid annually), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same dimension listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I directly use), you can grow your listing as much as 100,000. A checklist of that dimension 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, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv is in a totally different organization when it pertains to pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually raise prices? They could as time goes on. However, I’m presuming people like myself that are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how points continue.
Points I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the things you absolutely need to remember is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to progress instead promptly and make brand-new product news rather often, yet there are some standard features I truly want they had that I need to just wait on.
One is that they need to have a setting on subscription kinds where I can choose an automation to run right at the form degree. That would be incredible for a lot of reasons. Currently, membership types look OK, however there’s very little setups for them to help in segmentation.
It would certainly be nice to have labeling at the client degree. This would certainly be powerful.
I assume webhooks need to be part of automations to make built-in automations much easier and minimize dependence on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are also some minor management user interface changes that would certainly come in handy. For example:
- Capability to mass edit/remove subscribers.
- Capacity to bulk edit posts (for example, to tag a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of fundamental areas as common on subscribers (like the name).
- Some more modification choices for the site (such as more versatile color selections, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Points I wish they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t excellent and absolutely not nearly as established as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM item.
It probably never ever will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the purpose is different so it would not a lot a great deal of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation platform. I think you never understand, however.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv fairly a lot. Enough where I chose to switch my own newsletters over to the system despite my individual choice for digital sovereignty and having my very own platform.
Put simply, for the newsletter posting version especially, I saw adequate value in their system to warrant the change.
Bear in mind, I do not use BeeHiiv as my exclusive email list. I utilize BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, however I intentionally have things set up to make sure that I likewise maintain my list “in residence” within FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the very same. It is just a great insurance plan, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing 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 use BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are utilizing Substack now, I ‘d certainly take into consideration switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be extra business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various requirements. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import devices for Substack, so the switch ought to be pretty uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d most likely stay unless you have a big e-mail listing and are as a result being wooled with their high month-to-month costs. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating swiftly. There’s likewise a pretty good chance you’re not even using several of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you do not even need them. Because of that, BeeHiiv could easily be a far better and more cost effective fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be really intentional concerning growing an e-newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE platform to consider and keep and eye on for you.
If you make use of BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is developed to be, it is among the very best video games around now. This is the system to enjoy.
BeeHiiv uses a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves looking into for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll discover the free account to be rather feature abundant.