I have actually utilized a lot of different e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a massive proponent of digital sovereignty and owning your very own platform. For that reason (and the awesome features), I have been using Beehiiv and WordPress.
So, it is undoubtedly an odd move for me to decide to use BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is an organized application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv review, I intend to discuss why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I wish to address the problem of digital sovereignty while using the system and I would certainly additionally like to resolve why I selected to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For Newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Large Change In Technique, I discussed exactly how and why I determined to transform my recreational vehicle blog site right into largely an e-newsletter. I determined that was the business model I wished to pursue keeping that property.
But, to deliberately pursue it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Happily recreational vehicle, yet FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, truthfully, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. A lot more on that particular in a little bit.
As I stated in that concern of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools constructed right into it specific to my purpose. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog) and send out the email concurrently without having it be 2 separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capability to do cross-promotions with other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are generally one-click registration web links. Great for promotion in various 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 e-newsletter.
- Built-in advertisement network, if I pick to generate income from with ads in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and basically run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features targeted at development. The system was essentially constructed by the people that accumulated the technology for Morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I might without a doubt be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv also. At least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. Actually, I just went for it. And actually, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own residential property so that I can expand it a lot more deliberately too.
The goal is that each newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s own media entity and grown separately. Happily RV was young, so easy to transition. Yet, The Early morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of things here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will obviously always be carefully connected with the Blog site Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t have to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email Listing
There’s a distinction between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail list.
You can organize your email list just about anywhere you desire and there are a number of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary difference is that, with an e-newsletter platform, the act of publishing suggests that it is mosting likely to your internet site and to your email subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are releasing to that web site. Yet, you are additionally sending off to all clients at the same time. The website and it’s customers are done in one. This makes management of the platform much simpler.
With a lot of e-mail systems, any e-newsletter you established is done as an email campaign. It is constructed totally independently from your internet site. So, for example, you may release a post to WordPress yet then you would certainly require to individually develop and send an e-mail to your listing to send it to subscribers. These are then 2 separate sets of archives and two different activities due to the fact that article and your e-mails are not inherently linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a real e-newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name due to the fact that it practically “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress messages and allows them to be the very same thing. Certainly, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a solid alternative if I wanted to remain to self-host everything. Nonetheless, you ‘d shed the growth tools that feature a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally features a different collection of requirements than a typical e-mail list.
You don’t generally need much marketing automation. You do not normally require autoresponder series, occasion monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO requirement, though, is one seamless posting experience and development devices to aid you construct your subscriber base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was mosting likely to change the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the fact that I chose to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not mean I think Substack draws. In fact, because Substack has actually been about much longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple things that at first obtained my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter publishers. Actually, it is actually built by the exact same folks who developed the innovation behind Early morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, doesn’t matter. Yet, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “designer”. Development is what I want right here.
- That branding and differentiation also suggests that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brands and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is aimed more at solo makers. Again, it just informs me the consumer character difference between both companies.
Sending our my e-newsletter through FluentCRM really did not precisely suck. The only factor I would certainly consider trembling things up is if I thought I could GROW the list much faster. And BeeHiiv talked specifically to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I actually don’t watch BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being more straight rivals.
But, let’s dive deeper than simply the placing here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv feels like it was developed by people that comprehending email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears much more tailored toward makers.
For example, BeeHiiv uses custom-made fields on subscribers. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv offers Automations. As a matter of fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that functions a whole lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation performance is still early-phase. It is still rather restricted in triggers and the only activity is the ability to send an email. However, improvements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will certainly have new triggers in addition to brand-new activities, such as customizing custom areas, sending webhooks, etc. I’ve currently seen enhancements to their automations simply given that I began utilizing the system. As an example:
- Ability to set off automations based on which details embed type they came in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and manage people based on opens up and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never will. Substack simply can’t do this since the target audience of Substack simply wouldn’t think to approach this like an e-mail marketing professional.
When it comes to creating your e-newsletters, the creating interface of BeeHiiv is simply extra geared towards e-newsletters. Actually, it really has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in how it functions. I locate it to be a lot more user-friendly, directly.
Substack’s writing interface behaves and clean, however it would be extra comparable to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than just kind. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Area” and then placed anything you want in it. Then, you can place Presence choices on that particular section to reveal it only to paid customers, conceal it from email, conceal from clients, reveal only to subscribers, etc. Substack offers absolutely nothing such as this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a costs subscription version, BeeHiiv does not take any kind of revenue. Actually, you essentially link up to your own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your income. Depending on the amount of clients you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more cash than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This may appear unpopular, yet what it means 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 literally has … nothing. No integrations in all.
Generally, I simply seemed like BeeHiiv was more developed toward real e-mail marketing. It was developed by individuals that “get it”. Even the opt-in forms and the landing page develops appear far better developed for conversions. Development is the name of the game 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 actually said, Substack settings itself toward “designers” greater than email marketers and newsletter proprietors. Because of that, you see some points geared more towards individuals that simply assume in regards to web content production.
As an example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does sustain multiple magazines, they are dealt with fairly individually. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to several magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … cool for people who may need it.
Substack additionally has even more social capability built-in. As an example, it has a chat function to host talks with subscribers. It also has a “Notes” feature which functions sort of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. On the whole, Substack is set up to be more like a social media which supports long-form material.
In general, Substack is likewise much more … minimalist. You either care for that or don’t. Personally, I do not. However, if the objective is simpleness of user interface and, honestly, features … Substack functions quite well.
Yet, I’ll be clear right here …
When it pertains to real marketing, I do not think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is better fit. I looked for even more points that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, yet frankly … I have a tough time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are frequently with to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are going after the exact same target audience and have similar capabilities.
ConvertKit is additionally placed at creators (like Substack), however it is far more strongly catering to individuals who do it for organization. ConvertKit has good aesthetic automation building, it’s own business system, and much more. ConvertKit is a truly wonderful platform.
I’m not mosting likely to bore you with a full feature-by-feature malfunction here. ConvertKit is popular currently. Yet, right here’s just how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Points ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has much more adaptability when it involves it’s automations. I will also claim that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit much more user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains tagging. This is just a standard feature of e-mail checklists that enables segmentation in an even more versatile method than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to support tagging eventually soon, truthfully. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv and WordPress.
ConvertKit does now offer the ability to offer things using their own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would always select a much more straight choice anyway. For me, I choose to utilize my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been around much longer and therefore has way much more integration choices. Tons of online devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For instance, their plugin currently even supports member-gated content in addition to auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. In essence, this extra very closely places ConvertKit into direct competitors by having you have the ability to release to your website and your email list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is severely doing not have in these type of third-party integrations presently. It’ll arrive. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also hectic taking on the growth devices of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with advantages, but you can additionally pay per lead within the internal ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are truly incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you understand ConvertKit obtained Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most well known viral promo systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall surface of what this indicates for the system going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv and WordPress
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that suggests less features and much less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. Nevertheless, it likewise implies that they are quickly establishing.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have seen almost weekly launch of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … but large features that are fairly essential. Their speed of development now has been impressive.
I likewise significantly appreciate just how receptive they are. Actually, one of their product announcements about some style improvements to the website design features actually contained a tiny trouble with the material size. I merely replied to that email to tell them. I swiftly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the concern was fixed.
Few days later on, I provided an additional idea …
Sure enough, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to trigger automations based on the embed kind made use of was included in the system.
That kind of responsiveness and direct participation of the team is something I really value.
An additional significant point of differentiation below is the price. Both platforms supply complimentary plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan supplies much more capability and even more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally much more beneficial. ConvertKit seems less costly initially glance since their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, nonetheless the client restrictions are much reduced and your rate promptly increases as your checklist expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid yearly), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That same dimension listing is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their ideal plan and the one I personally utilize), you can grow your checklist approximately 100,000. A list of that size would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, too, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, also. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv is in a completely different league when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately raise prices? They may as time takes place. However, I’m guessing individuals like myself who are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among things you absolutely need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do seem to advance rather promptly and make new item statements somewhat usually, but there are some fundamental features I truly wish they had that I need to simply wait for.
One is that they need to have a setting on registration types where I can choose an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would be remarkable for so many factors. Currently, membership types look OK, but there’s extremely little settings for them to assist in division.
It would be nice to have labeling at the customer degree. This would certainly be effective.
I assume webhooks ought to belong to automations to make integrated automations easier and decrease dependence on outdoors tools like Zapier.
There are also some small administrative user interface changes that would certainly be handy. For example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capability to bulk edit messages (for example, to label a number of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic areas as basic on customers (like the name).
- Some even more customization choices for the web site (such as more flexible color selections, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Points I wish they do with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t excellent and absolutely not almost as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM product.
It most likely never ever will be, either. As I said, the function is different so it wouldn’t a lot a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to end up being a complete marketing automation system. I guess you never ever recognize, however.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv quite a whole lot. Enough where I made a decision to switch my own newsletters over to the system in spite of my personal preference for digital sovereignty and possessing my very own system.
Simply put, for the e-newsletter publishing design especially, I saw enough value in their system to require the change.
Bear in mind, I do not use BeeHiiv as my special email list. I utilize BeeHiiv for what it is proficient at, however I intentionally have points set up to make sure that I additionally keep my checklist “in home” within FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the exact same. It is just a good insurance policy, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will certainly be).
So, the question is … should YOU use BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack now, I ‘d certainly think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting different capabilities and various needs. And also, BeeHiiv even has import devices for Substack, so the switch needs to be rather uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a large email checklist and are as a result being fleeced with their high monthly bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating promptly. There’s likewise a respectable possibility you’re not also utilizing some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can easily be a far better and extra budget friendly fit.
Finally, if you plan to be very deliberate about growing a newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE system to take into consideration and keep and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open regarding what it is designed to be, it is just one of the best games around right now. This is the platform to view.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves looking into on your own. And if you end up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the free account to be rather feature rich.