I have made use of a lot of various e-mail list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a big advocate of digital sovereignty and having your own platform. For that reason (and the awesome features), I have actually been making use of Can You Sell Courses on Beehiiv.
So, it is without a doubt a weird move for me to make a decision to make use of BeeHiiv. After all, it is a hosted application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv review, I wish to go over why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I want to resolve the issue of digital sovereignty while making use of the platform and I ‘d additionally such as to resolve why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Hobby + A Large Change In Approach, I talked about how and why I decided to turn my recreational vehicle blog right into mostly an e-newsletter. I made a decision that was business version I wished to pursue keeping that residential or commercial property.
But, to intentionally pursue it as a newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the email list for Gladly recreational vehicle, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, honestly, using it for newsletters is a little bit of a waste. More on that in a bit.
As I stated in that issue of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools constructed into it details to my function. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog site) and send the email simultaneously without having it be two separate actions.
- Built in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated ability to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are generally one-click subscription web links. Great for promo in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, though, so there are methods to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I select to generate income from with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and basically run a premium newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Primarily, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter publishers with features focused on development. The platform was actually developed by the individuals who accumulated the modern technology for Early morning Mixture. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the point right here. BeeHiiv is developed from the ground up for the purpose of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I may without a doubt be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv also. At least, I’m strongly 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 Morning WP, triggered as it’s own building so that I can grow it extra deliberately too.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown individually. Happily motor home was young, so very easy to transition. But, The Morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried in a sea of things here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will clearly always be carefully linked with the Blog Marketing Academy, however doesn’t have to belong of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv since it was constructed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Typical Email Checklist
There’s a distinction in between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail checklist.
You can host your email checklist anyplace you desire and there are a number of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The key difference is that, with an e-newsletter platform, the act of publishing implies that it is going to your site and to your email customers concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a site. You are releasing to that site. Yet, you are likewise dispatching to all subscribers at the same time. The web site and it’s subscribers are done in one. This makes administration of the system much easier.
With the majority of e-mail platforms, any type of newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built entirely independently from your web site. So, for instance, you might publish an article to WordPress however then you would require to individually develop and send an e-mail to your list to send it to clients. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and two separate activities due to the fact that article and your emails are not naturally linked.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a real newsletter platform is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name because it basically “adhesives” your e-newsletter to your WordPress articles and allows them to be the very same point. Definitely, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a solid option if I wanted to continue to self-host everything. Nevertheless, you would certainly lose the development tools that come with a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter naturally includes a different collection of needs than a regular e-mail checklist.
You do not normally require much marketing automation. You don’t normally need autoresponder sequences, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO requirement, though, is one smooth posting experience and growth devices to help you develop your client base that specify to e-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 individuals ask me why I was selecting it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the truth that I picked to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not indicate I believe Substack sucks. As a matter of fact, because Substack has been about much longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that originally got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to newsletter authors. Actually, it is actually developed by the same individuals that constructed the innovation behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. However, the apparent positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the more common positioning of being a “creator”. Development is what I have an interest in here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise indicates that BeeHiiv has some relatively big brand names and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo makers. Once more, it just informs me the customer avatar distinction in between the two companies.
Sending our my newsletter via FluentCRM really did not specifically draw. The only reason I would ponder drinking points up is if I believed I could expand the list quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that goal.
Due to the targeting, I really do not check out BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more straight rivals.
Yet, allow’s dive deeper than simply the placing below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv looks like it was built by people who comprehending e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems a lot more geared toward developers.
For instance, BeeHiiv uses custom fields on customers. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv offers Automations. In fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation performance is still early-phase. It is still fairly restricted in triggers and the only activity is the ability to send an e-mail. Nonetheless, enhancements are coming. Soon sufficient, automations will have brand-new triggers in addition to brand-new actions, such as customizing custom areas, sending out webhooks, and so on. I have actually currently seen enhancements to their automations simply because I began using the platform. For instance:
- Capacity to cause automations based on which particular embed kind they came in on.
- Ability to instantly do re-engagement (and deal with individuals based on opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never will. Substack simply can not do this due to the fact that the target audience of Substack simply would not think to approach this like an email marketing professional.
When it involves creating your newsletters, the composing interface of BeeHiiv is just more geared toward newsletters. Actually, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I locate it to be much more user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s composing interface behaves and clean, but it would be much more equal to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is more than simply type. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can insert a “Section” and then placed anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Exposure options on that particular area to show it only to paid subscribers, conceal it from e-mail, hide from customers, reveal only to customers, and so on. Substack uses nothing similar to this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a premium subscription version, BeeHiiv does not take any type of earnings. As a matter of fact, you actually link as much as your own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your revenue. Depending upon the number of clients you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more cash than the regular monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Finally, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem unpopular, however what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outdoors utilizing tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in any way.
On the whole, I simply felt like BeeHiiv was a lot more built towards real email marketing. It was built by individuals that “get it”. Also the opt-in forms and the landing page creates seem far better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I would love to see BeeHiiv add, I like the direction it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually stated, Substack positions itself toward “designers” greater than email online marketers and newsletter proprietors. For that reason, you see some things geared a lot more towards people who simply believe in regards to material creation.
For instance, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous publications, they are treated fairly separately. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to several magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … trendy for individuals that might require it.
Substack also has even more social capability built-in. For instance, it has a conversation feature to host talks with subscribers. It additionally has a “Notes” function which functions type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. Generally, Substack is established to be much more like a social media network which supports long-form web content.
On the whole, Substack is likewise a lot more … minimal. You either take care of that or don’t. Personally, I don’t. However, if the goal is simplicity of user interface and, honestly, features … Substack works quite well.
But, I’ll be clear here …
When it pertains to real marketing, I don’t think there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is much better fit. I tried to find even more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, yet honestly … I have a difficult time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are frequently with to be the closest competitors, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer competitors. Both are pursuing the same target audience and have similar capacities.
ConvertKit is also placed at developers (like Substack), but it is far more strongly accommodating people that do it for service. ConvertKit has good aesthetic automation structure, it’s own commerce system, and much more. ConvertKit is a really great platform.
I’m not going to birthed you with a complete feature-by-feature break down here. ConvertKit is well known currently. However, below’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has extra adaptability when it involves it’s automations. I will certainly also state that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports identifying. This is just a standard feature of e-mail checklists that makes it possible for segmentation in an even more versatile means than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support identifying at some point soon, truthfully. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Can You Sell Courses on Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does currently offer the ability to market things by means of their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nevertheless, I would constantly select a more straight option anyway. For me, I prefer to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been about much longer and therefore has way much more integration alternatives. Lots of web-based devices and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is quite effective. As an example, their plugin currently also supports member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. Basically, this a lot more carefully places ConvertKit into direct competition by having you be able to publish to your site and your email listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is seriously lacking 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 taking on the development devices of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with perks, but you can likewise pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to grow your listing. These are really amazing features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you know ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of the most popular viral promotion systems for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall surface of what this means for the system moving forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Better At … Can You Sell Courses on Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. However, it likewise indicates that they are rapidly creating.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have experienced almost once a week launch of new features right into the platform. And these aren’t weak little features … however big features that are fairly essential. Their rate of development at this moment has been impressive.
I likewise significantly value just how responsive they are. Actually, among their product statements about some design enhancements to the website design features in fact consisted of a tiny problem with the web content size. I simply replied to that email to tell them. I promptly got a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That very same day, the concern was dealt with.
Couple of days later, I provided one more tip …
Indeed, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to cause automations based upon the embed kind used was added to the system.
That sort of responsiveness and direct involvement of the team is something I truly appreciate.
One more significant factor of distinction below is the price. Both systems provide free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan uses much more capability and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also much more positive. ConvertKit appears less costly initially glance because their pricing page shows lower numbers, nevertheless the customer restrictions are much lower and your rate promptly enhances as your listing grows.
With BeeHiiv, your initial level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid annually), however you can have up to 10,000 customers. 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 expand your listing as much as 100,000. A listing of that size would certainly 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 every year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv is in an entirely various league when it concerns pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately enhance costs? They might as time goes on. Yet, I’m guessing 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 things you most definitely require to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do seem to advance rather quickly and make new item statements rather typically, however there are some basic features I truly want they had that I need to just await.
One is that they need to have a setting on subscription kinds where I could select an automation to run right at the form level. That would certainly be AWESOME for numerous factors. Already, subscription forms look OK, however there’s very little settings for them to assist in division.
It would behave to have marking at the customer degree. This would certainly be effective.
I assume webhooks must become part of automations to make integrated automations much easier and lower dependence on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are additionally some minor management user interface modifications that would be handy. For example:
- Capacity to mass edit/remove subscribers.
- Capacity to mass edit blog posts (for instance, to identify a number of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard fields as basic on clients (like the name).
- Some more personalization choices for the website (such as more versatile color selections, headline control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Things I hope they perform with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t ideal and definitely not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM product.
It possibly never ever will be, either. As I stated, the purpose is different so it wouldn’t much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation platform. I presume you never know, however.
Final Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv fairly a whole lot. Sufficient where I determined to change my own newsletters over to the platform in spite of my individual choice for digital sovereignty and owning my own system.
Simply put, for the newsletter posting version especially, I saw adequate worth in their platform to require the change.
Remember, I do not use BeeHiiv as my unique e-mail listing. I use BeeHiiv of what it is good at, however I deliberately have points set up so that I also keep my listing “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is simply an excellent insurance plan, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your list will be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will certainly be).
So, the question is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are using Substack now, I ‘d definitely consider switching over to BeeHiiv. It will merely be more business-friendly. It is targeting different capabilities and different needs. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the button needs to be pretty simple.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d most likely stay unless you have a large e-mail listing and are consequently being fleeced with their high regular monthly expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are iterating promptly. There’s additionally a respectable chance you’re not also using a few of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv could quickly be a better and extra cost effective fit.
Lastly, if you plan to be really willful concerning expanding an e-newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE system to consider and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is created to be, it is just one of the most effective video games around now. This is the platform to see.
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 discover the complimentary account to be fairly feature rich.