I have utilized a great deal of different email list systems over the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a massive proponent of digital sovereignty and owning your very own system. Because of that (and the awesome features), I have been making use of Beehiiv QR Code.
So, it is undoubtedly a strange move for me to determine to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is an organized application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I wish to discuss why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to attend to the problem of digital sovereignty while making use of the system and I would certainly likewise like to address why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Large Change In Approach, I spoke about how and why I chose to transform my recreational vehicle blog site into mainly an e-newsletter. I determined that was the business version I wanted to go after with that property.
However, to intentionally pursue it as a newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Gladly recreational vehicle, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is developed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, truthfully, using it for e-newsletters is a little a waste. Extra on that particular in a little bit.
As I said in that concern of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with devices constructed into it certain to my objective. Points such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog site) and send the e-mail at the same time without having it be two separate actions.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capacity to do cross-promotions with various other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are primarily one-click membership web links. Great for promo in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, though, so there are methods to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I pick to monetize with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and generally run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features targeted at development. The platform was essentially built by the individuals that built up the technology for Morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the point here. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various function.
And I ended off with this:.
I might certainly be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv as well. At the very least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. Actually, I just went all out. And actually, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s own property to make sure that I can grow it more intentionally as well.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the ability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded independently. Gladly RV was young, so easy to change. But, The Early morning WP (previously The Side) was hidden in a sea of things right here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will certainly constantly be carefully tied with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet does not have to belong of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv since it was built for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Regular Email Listing
There’s a difference between a newsletter platform and just an email listing.
You can hold your e-mail list anyplace you want and there are a number of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary difference is that, with a newsletter system, the act of publishing indicates that it is mosting likely to your web site and to your email subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a site. You are publishing to that internet site. However, you are additionally sending off to all clients at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are done in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much easier.
With most e-mail systems, any kind of newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built entirely independently from your internet site. So, for instance, you might publish an article to WordPress however after that you would require to independently develop and send an e-mail to your listing to send it to subscribers. These are after that 2 different collections of archives and two different actions because blog posts and your e-mails are not naturally linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress into a real e-newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name since it pretty much “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and enables them to be the exact same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong choice if I wanted to continue to self-host whatever. Nonetheless, you ‘d shed the development tools that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally comes with a various collection of needs than a common email checklist.
You don’t usually require much marketing automation. You do not normally need autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO demand, though, is one smooth posting experience and development tools to help you develop your subscriber base that are specific to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my customers that I was mosting likely to switch over the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the truth that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I think Substack sucks. Actually, since Substack has actually been about longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple points that at first got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is particularly customized to newsletter publishers. In fact, it is literally constructed by the very same individuals that constructed the modern technology behind Early morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. Yet, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the more common positioning of being a “maker”. Development is what I have an interest in here.
- That branding and distinction likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brands and big magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo designers. Again, it just informs me the consumer avatar difference between the two firms.
Sending our my newsletter by means of FluentCRM didn’t exactly draw. The only reason I would consider drinking points up is if I assumed I can expand the list quicker. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that goal.
Due to the targeting, I actually do not view BeeHiiv and Substack as straight rivals. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a different sort of consumer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct rivals.
Yet, allow’s dive deeper than just the placing here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Overall, BeeHiiv seems like it was developed by people that recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears a lot more tailored toward developers.
As an example, BeeHiiv uses custom fields on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. In fact, it is a visual automation builder that works a great deal 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 activity is the ability to send out an e-mail. Nonetheless, improvements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will have new triggers as well as brand-new activities, such as customizing custom-made areas, sending out webhooks, etc. I have actually currently seen improvements to their automations simply since I started utilizing the platform. For instance:
- Ability to set off automations based on which particular embed type they was available in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and deal with people based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Ability to do fundamental conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can’t do this due to the fact that the target audience of Substack just would not believe to approach this like an e-mail marketer.
When it concerns composing your e-newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is simply a lot more tailored toward newsletters. In fact, it really has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in how it works. I locate it to be more intuitive, personally.
Substack’s composing interface is nice and tidy, but it would be extra equal to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is more than just type. For example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and then put anything you want in it. Then, you can put Visibility options on that area to reveal it only to paid customers, conceal it from email, conceal from clients, show just to clients, and so on. Substack supplies absolutely nothing similar to this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium membership version, BeeHiiv does not take any type of revenue. As a matter of fact, you essentially link approximately your very own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your profits. Depending upon how many clients you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more cash than the monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem nerdy, but what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv deal with the outside making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … absolutely nothing. No integrations whatsoever.
Generally, I simply felt like BeeHiiv was a lot more built towards actual e-mail marketing. It was developed by individuals that “get it”. Even the opt-in types and the landing page creates appear better constructed for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually claimed, Substack placements itself towards “makers” greater than e-mail marketing professionals and newsletter proprietors. Because of that, you see some things tailored much more toward people that just think in regards to content development.
For example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous publications, they are dealt with rather independently. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to several magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, yet … great for people that may require it.
Substack also has even more social functionality built-in. For example, it has a conversation function to host chats with customers. It additionally has a “Notes” function which works sort of like a social media newsfeed where you can share points from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. Overall, Substack is set up to be a lot more like a social network which supports long-form content.
On the whole, Substack is additionally much more … minimal. You either look after that or do not. Directly, I do not. However, if the objective is simplicity of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear here …
When it concerns real marketing, I do not assume there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better suited. I looked for even more points that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, yet frankly … I have a hard time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are often with to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are going after the same target audience and have similar abilities.
ConvertKit is additionally placed at designers (like Substack), however it is much more strongly satisfying people that do it for company. ConvertKit has great aesthetic automation structure, it’s own commerce platform, and more. ConvertKit is a really nice system.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature malfunction right here. ConvertKit is popular already. But, right here’s exactly how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has more flexibility when it comes to it’s automations. I will additionally claim that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit much more intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports identifying. This is simply a standard feature of email checklists that makes it possible for segmentation in a much more flexible method than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support identifying at some time soon, truthfully. It feels like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv QR Code.
ConvertKit does now give the ability to sell points by means of their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly constantly pick a more straight choice anyhow. For me, I like to utilize my own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been around a lot longer and for that reason has way more integration alternatives. Tons of web-based devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their very own WordPress plugin that is rather powerful. As an example, their plugin currently even sustains member-gated content along with auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. Basically, this a lot more carefully places ConvertKit into direct competition by having you have the ability to release to your site and your e-mail listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is drastically doing not have in these type of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even active tackling the development tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your newsletter with rewards, however you can also pay per lead within the inner ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your checklist. These are really outstanding features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you know ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of one of the most well known viral promotion systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface for what this suggests for the system going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv QR Code
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies much less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. However, it likewise implies that they are rapidly establishing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually observed nearly regular release of brand-new features into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … yet big features that are fairly crucial. Their rate of growth now has gone over.
I also very much value exactly how responsive they are. In fact, among their product statements concerning some style improvements to the website design features actually included a little problem with the web content width. I just responded to that email to tell them. I rapidly obtained a reply straight from the CEO:.
That same day, the issue was repaired.
Few days later, I provided another pointer …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to trigger automations based upon the embed kind made use of was included in the system.
That sort of responsiveness and direct participation of the team is something I actually value.
An additional significant factor of differentiation right here is the rate. Both platforms offer free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan uses much more capability and even more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more favorable. ConvertKit appears more affordable at first glimpse since their pricing page shows reduced numbers, however the subscriber limitations are much lower and your cost quickly increases as your list expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid each year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That exact same size list is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I personally use), you can grow your listing approximately 100,000. A listing of that dimension would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, also, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay annually.
BeeHiiv remains in an entirely various league when it pertains to pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually increase rates? They may as time takes place. Yet, I’m thinking individuals like myself who are currently in will be locked-in. We’ll see how points continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of things you definitely require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do appear to develop rather rapidly and make new product statements rather often, however there are some fundamental features I truly desire they had that I require to just wait for.
One is that they need to have a setup on registration kinds where I could pick an automation to run right at the kind level. That would certainly be AWESOME for numerous factors. Already, subscription types look OK, yet there’s extremely little setups for them to assist in division.
It would certainly be nice to have labeling at the customer degree. This would certainly be powerful.
I think webhooks need to be part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and decrease dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are also some small administrative interface adjustments that would come in handy. For example:
- Ability to mass edit/remove customers.
- Capability to mass edit articles (as an example, to label a number of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic fields as standard on customers (like the name).
- Some even more customization options for the website (such as more adaptable shade options, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I hope they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t best and absolutely not almost as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM product.
It probably never ever will certainly be, either. As I said, the purpose is different so it would not much a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation system. I guess you never understand, however.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv quite a lot. Sufficient where I determined to switch my own newsletters over to the platform regardless of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and having my very own platform.
Basically, for the newsletter posting model particularly, I saw sufficient value in their platform to require the adjustment.
Bear in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my exclusive email listing. I utilize BeeHiiv of what it is good at, but I intentionally have things establish so that I additionally maintain my list “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is simply an excellent insurance coverage, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your list will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the inquiry is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are using Substack now, I ‘d definitely think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various abilities and different demands. And also, BeeHiiv also has import tools for Substack, so the button ought to be quite straightforward.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a huge email list and are for that reason being wooled with their high monthly bill. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are iterating promptly. There’s also a pretty good opportunity you’re not also utilizing a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could quickly be a much better and much more cost effective fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be extremely deliberate concerning expanding a newsletter, I think 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 regarding what it is designed to be, it is among the best games in the area now. This is the system to see.
BeeHiiv provides a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth looking into for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll discover the totally free account to be fairly feature rich.