I have actually used a lot of various email list systems for many years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a huge proponent of digital sovereignty and having your own system. For that reason (and the amazing features), I have actually been utilizing Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions.
So, it is certainly a weird move for me to make a decision to use BeeHiiv. After all, it is a held application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I want to look at why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I wish to attend to the concern of digital sovereignty while utilizing the system and I ‘d additionally like to attend to why I selected to use it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For E-newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Big Shift In Strategy, I spoke about how and why I made a decision to turn my RV blog into largely an e-newsletter. I determined that was business design I wished to pursue keeping that property.
Yet, to intentionally pursue it as an e-newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Happily recreational vehicle, however FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, honestly, utilizing it for newsletters is a little a waste. Much more on that particular in a little bit.
As I claimed in that problem of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a platform with tools developed right into it certain to my objective. Things such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog) and send out the email at the same time without having it be 2 separate actions.
- Built in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would require a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Built-in ability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are essentially one-click registration links. Great for promotion in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are methods to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I pick to generate income from with ads in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capacity to run a paid newsletter upgrade and essentially run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features targeted at growth. The system was actually developed by the individuals that accumulated the innovation for Early morning Brew. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. 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 indeed be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. A minimum of, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. In fact, I simply went all out. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s very own property to make sure that I can expand it more deliberately as well.
The objective is that each newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown independently. Happily RV was young, so very easy to change. But, The Early morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of stuff here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s very own. It will obviously constantly be carefully linked with the Blog site Marketing Academy, yet does not have to belong of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv since it was constructed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Regular Email Checklist
There’s a difference between a newsletter system and just an e-mail listing.
You can host your e-mail listing anyplace you want and there are a variety of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The primary difference is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of publishing indicates that it is mosting likely to your site and to your e-mail subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a web site. You are publishing to that internet site. However, you are likewise dispatching to all subscribers at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes management of the system much simpler.
With the majority of email platforms, any newsletter you established is done as an email campaign. It is developed totally separately from your web site. So, for example, you might release a short article to WordPress however then you would need to independently construct and send out an e-mail to your listing to send it to customers. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and two different actions since blog posts and your e-mails are not inherently connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a real e-newsletter platform is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it basically “adhesives” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and allows them to be the exact same thing. Definitely, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong choice if I wanted to remain to self-host whatever. However, you ‘d lose the development devices that include a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting an e-newsletter inherently features a various set of requirements than a typical e-mail listing.
You don’t normally require much marketing automation. You don’t typically require autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, however, is one smooth publishing experience and growth devices to assist you build your customer base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my subscribers that I was mosting likely to switch over the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the truth that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I think Substack draws. Actually, due to the fact that Substack has actually been about longer, it is elder and has more features.
Although BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that originally got my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to newsletter authors. As a matter of fact, it is actually constructed by the same individuals that built the innovation behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real world, doesn’t matter. But, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter development called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “designer”. Growth is what I want below.
- That branding and distinction also implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively huge brands and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo developers. Again, it simply tells me the client avatar distinction in between both companies.
Sending our my newsletter through FluentCRM really did not specifically draw. The only reason I would consider trembling points up is if I thought I can GROW the checklist quicker. And BeeHiiv talked precisely to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I in fact do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more direct rivals.
Yet, let’s dive much deeper than just the placing here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv appears like it was constructed by individuals who comprehending email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more geared towards creators.
For example, BeeHiiv provides custom-made fields on clients. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, it is a visual automation builder that functions a whole lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still rather minimal in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an e-mail. Nevertheless, improvements are coming. Soon enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers as well as new actions, such as customizing custom fields, sending webhooks, and so on. I have actually already seen improvements to their automations simply since I began utilizing the platform. For example:
- Ability to cause automations based upon which particular embed form they was available in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and manage individuals based on opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do basic conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can not do this since the target audience of Substack just would not think to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it pertains to composing your e-newsletters, the writing interface of BeeHiiv is simply extra geared toward newsletters. Actually, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I find it to be extra user-friendly, directly.
Substack’s creating user interface is nice and tidy, yet it would certainly be extra comparable to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is more than simply kind. For example, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Area” and after that put anything you desire in it. Then, you can place Visibility choices on that area to reveal it just to paid customers, hide it from email, conceal from customers, show only to clients, and so on. Substack offers absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a costs membership model, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of revenue. As a matter of fact, you essentially connect up to your very own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your income. Depending on the amount of clients you get, that 10% can be quite a bit more cash than the regular monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem unpopular, yet what it implies is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv work with the outdoors making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations at all.
In general, I just felt like BeeHiiv was extra constructed toward actual email marketing. It was developed by people that “get it”. Also the opt-in forms and the landing page creates appear better built for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv add, I like the direction it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have stated, Substack placements itself toward “makers” greater than e-mail marketing experts and e-newsletter owners. Because of that, you see some points tailored more towards individuals who just believe in regards to material creation.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support several publications, they are dealt with rather separately. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to several publications at the same time. This isn’t something I require, but … awesome for individuals who could require it.
Substack likewise has even more social functionality built-in. For instance, it has a conversation feature to host chats with customers. It also has a “Notes” feature which works type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. Overall, Substack is established to be a lot more like a social media which supports long-form web content.
Overall, Substack is additionally extra … minimalist. You either look after that or don’t. Personally, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simpleness of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
However, I’ll be clear right here …
When it involves actual marketing, I don’t assume there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better fit. I tried to find even more points that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, yet truthfully … I have a difficult time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically through to be the closest competitors, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are going after the same target market and have comparable capacities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at makers (like Substack), but it is a lot more highly dealing with individuals who do it for service. ConvertKit has wonderful aesthetic automation structure, it’s very own business platform, and much more. ConvertKit is a truly great platform.
I’m not mosting likely to bore you with a full feature-by-feature breakdown here. ConvertKit is popular currently. However, here’s how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
As of now, ConvertKit has more versatility when it pertains to it’s automations. I will certainly likewise state that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports labeling. This is just a fundamental function of email listings that enables division in an even more versatile means than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain marking at some time soon, truthfully. It feels like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions.
ConvertKit does now supply the capacity to market things by means of their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly always choose an extra direct choice anyhow. For me, I choose to use my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and therefore has way much more integration choices. Tons of web-based tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. As an example, their plugin now also sustains member-gated content along with auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. Essentially, this a lot more closely puts ConvertKit right into direct competition 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 right now. It’ll get there. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even busy tackling the development devices of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with perks, yet you can likewise pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are really awesome features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you recognize ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of the most well known viral promo platforms for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall of what this indicates for the platform going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Paid Subscriptions
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and much less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. Nonetheless, it also suggests that they are rapidly developing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually witnessed practically weekly launch of new features into the system. And these aren’t puny little features … but big features that are rather important. Their speed of advancement now has actually gone over.
I likewise significantly value just how receptive they are. Actually, among their item announcements about some layout enhancements to the web design features actually contained a small trouble with the web content size. I merely responded to that email to tell them. I promptly got a reply straight from the CEO:.
That same day, the concern was taken care of.
Couple of days later on, I gave them one more pointer …
Indeed, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to activate automations based upon the embed form made use of was included in the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I really appreciate.
One more major factor of distinction below is the price. Both systems provide complimentary plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan supplies more ability and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
As soon as you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise even more beneficial. ConvertKit appears cheaper at first glance since their pricing web page shows lower numbers, nevertheless the subscriber limits are FAR reduced and your rate swiftly boosts as your listing expands.
With BeeHiiv, your first degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid yearly), however you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same size listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I directly make use of), you can expand your checklist as much as 100,000. A listing of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay every year, too. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay annually.
BeeHiiv remains in an entirely various league when it concerns pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately increase prices? They could as time takes place. Yet, I’m thinking individuals like myself who are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among the things you certainly need to remember is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do appear to develop rather rapidly and make new item news rather usually, but there are some fundamental features I actually wish they had that I require to just await.
One is that they need to have a setting on subscription types where I could pick an automation to run right at the form degree. That would certainly be outstanding for numerous factors. Already, membership forms look OK, yet there’s extremely little settings for them to assist in division.
It would behave to have tagging at the customer degree. This would certainly be effective.
I think webhooks ought to become part of automations to make built-in automations less complicated and reduce reliance on outside tools like Zapier.
There are also some minor administrative interface changes that would be handy. For instance:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove subscribers.
- Capability to bulk edit blog posts (for example, to label a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic areas as standard on customers (like the name).
- Some more personalization options for the site (such as even more adaptable shade choices, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Things I hope they do with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t perfect and absolutely not almost as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM product.
It most likely never ever will certainly be, either. As I stated, the purpose is various so it wouldn’t much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to end up being a complete marketing automation system. I think you never ever know, though.
Last Ideas On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv quite a lot. Enough where I decided to change my own e-newsletters over to the system despite my individual preference for digital sovereignty and possessing my very own system.
Simply put, for the newsletter posting design specifically, I saw sufficient worth in their system to necessitate the modification.
Keep in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my exclusive email listing. I make use of BeeHiiv of what it is efficient, however I deliberately have things set up to make sure that I additionally keep my listing “in house” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the same. It is simply a great insurance policy, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your list will be of high usage (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will certainly be).
So, the concern is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack today, I ‘d certainly consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will simply be extra business-friendly. It is targeting different capacities and various demands. And also, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the button should be rather simple.
If you get on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly sit tight unless you have a big email list and are therefore being wooled with their high regular monthly expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are iterating rapidly. There’s also a pretty good chance you’re not even using some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could easily be a far better and more affordable fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be extremely deliberate concerning growing a newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE system to take into consideration and maintain and eye on for you.
If you make use of BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is designed to be, it is one of the best games around right now. This is the platform to enjoy.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves checking out for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll find the cost-free account to be fairly feature abundant.