I have utilized a great deal of different email list systems throughout the years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a big proponent of digital sovereignty and owning your own system. Therefore (and the incredible features), I have been making use of Beehiiv Audience Segmentation.
So, it is undoubtedly a weird move for me to determine to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a held application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I wish to discuss why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I intend to deal with the problem of digital sovereignty while making use of the system and I ‘d likewise such as to address why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For E-newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Big Shift In Strategy, I spoke about how and why I chose to turn my recreational vehicle blog into primarily a newsletter. I chose that was the business design I wanted to seek with that said residential property.
Yet, to deliberately pursue it as a newsletter, I desired a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the email list for Happily recreational vehicle, but FluentCRM is not a newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, truthfully, utilizing it for e-newsletters is a bit of a waste. Extra on that in a little bit.
As I claimed in that issue of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with tools built into it particular to my objective. Points such as:
- Capability to publish (to the blog) and send out the e-mail all at once without having it be two different actions.
- Integrated in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would require a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Integrated ability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Links”, which are primarily one-click membership web links. Great for promo in other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I select to monetize with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and primarily run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter publishers with features focused on growth. The system was literally constructed by the individuals who accumulated the modern technology for Morning Brew. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the point here. BeeHiiv is developed from scratch for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a various objective.
And I finished off with this:.
I may indeed be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv as well. A minimum of, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I just went all out. And as a matter of fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own residential property to make sure that I can expand it extra deliberately too.
The goal is that each newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s own media entity and grown individually. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so simple to transition. But, The Early morning WP (formerly The Edge) was hidden in a sea of things below at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s own. It will undoubtedly constantly be closely linked with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was developed for this function. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Just A Regular Email Listing
There’s a distinction in between an e-newsletter platform and just an email 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 choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The primary difference is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of posting indicates that it is going to your site and to your email clients concurrently.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are publishing to that web site. But, you are also dispatching to all subscribers at the same time. The internet site and it’s clients are done in one. This makes management of the platform much simpler.
With many e-mail platforms, any kind of e-newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is constructed completely individually from your website. So, for example, you might release a post to WordPress however then you would need to individually construct and send out an email to your list to send it to customers. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and 2 different actions since post and your e-mails are not inherently connected.
The closest point that transforms WordPress into a true e-newsletter platform is Newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it pretty much “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress blog posts and enables them to be the very same point. Definitely, something like Newsletter Glue would be a strong option if I intended to remain to self-host whatever. Nevertheless, you ‘d lose the growth tools that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter inherently includes a different collection of needs than a regular email checklist.
You don’t generally need much marketing automation. You do not normally need autoresponder series, event monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, however, is one smooth posting experience and development devices to help you build your subscriber base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I revealed to my subscribers that I was going to switch the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the fact that I chose to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not mean I assume Substack draws. As a matter of fact, because Substack has actually been about much longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Although BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair points that initially got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to newsletter publishers. In fact, it is literally developed by the exact same folks that developed the technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. However, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter development called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “developer”. Growth is what I’m interested in right here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise means that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brand names and huge publications utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo creators. Again, it just informs me the client character difference between both companies.
Sending our my newsletter using FluentCRM really did not exactly draw. The only factor I would certainly ponder drinking things up is if I thought I can expand the checklist quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that objective.
As a result of the targeting, I actually do not check out BeeHiiv and Substack as direct competitors. I assume BeeHiiv is targeting a different kind of consumer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra straight competitors.
However, let’s dive deeper than simply the placing right here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv seems like it was developed by individuals who recognizing e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems more geared toward developers.
For instance, BeeHiiv provides customized fields on clients. Now, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv provides Automations. In fact, it is a visual automation builder that works a lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite minimal in triggers and the only action is the capacity to send out an email. Nevertheless, improvements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will certainly have new triggers in addition to brand-new activities, such as modifying custom fields, sending out webhooks, etc. I’ve already seen enhancements to their automations simply since I began utilizing the platform. For instance:
- Ability to cause automations based upon which specific embed form they was available in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and take care of individuals based on opens up and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can not do this because the target market of Substack simply would not think to approach this like an email online marketer.
When it concerns creating your e-newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is just much more geared toward e-newsletters. As a matter of fact, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it functions. I locate it to be a lot more instinctive, personally.
Substack’s writing user interface is nice and clean, however it would be a lot more comparable to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This difference is more than simply kind. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Area” and after that placed anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Visibility choices on that particular area to reveal it only to paid customers, hide it from email, conceal from subscribers, show just to customers, and so on. Substack offers nothing like this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a costs registration model, BeeHiiv does not take any income. As a matter of fact, you actually link approximately your own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your earnings. Depending upon the amount of subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be a fair bit more money than the regular monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem unpopular, but what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outside making use of devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … absolutely nothing. No integrations at all.
Generally, I simply seemed like BeeHiiv was extra built towards genuine e-mail marketing. It was built by individuals who “get it”. Even the opt-in types and the landing page designs appear far better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I would love 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 stated, Substack placements itself toward “developers” more than e-mail marketers and e-newsletter proprietors. Therefore, you see some things tailored a lot more toward individuals that simply assume in regards to material development.
For example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous magazines, they are dealt with quite individually. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to numerous publications at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, yet … awesome for people who may require it.
Substack likewise has even more social capability built-in. As an example, it has a chat feature to host talks with subscribers. It additionally has a “Notes” function which functions sort of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you read. Interesting. In general, Substack is set up to be a lot more like a social media network which sustains long-form material.
In general, Substack is likewise more … minimalist. You either take care of that or don’t. Personally, I do not. Nonetheless, if the goal is simplicity of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it comes to real marketing, I do not think there’s much uncertainty that BeeHiiv is better matched. I looked for more factors that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, but frankly … I have a tough time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically through to be the closest rivals, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer competitors. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have comparable capabilities.
ConvertKit is likewise positioned at creators (like Substack), however it is much more highly accommodating individuals who do it for organization. ConvertKit has nice visual automation building, it’s own business platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a really wonderful system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature failure here. ConvertKit is well known currently. But, below’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Points ConvertKit Is Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has extra versatility when it comes to it’s automations. I will certainly additionally say that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit a lot more instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports tagging. This is simply a basic function of email listings that makes it possible for division in an even more versatile method than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to sustain marking at some point soon, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Audience Segmentation.
ConvertKit does currently supply the capability to sell things via their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nevertheless, I would constantly select a much more straight choice anyway. For me, I like to utilize my very own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about much longer and for that reason has way a lot more integration alternatives. Lots of online tools and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is quite powerful. For instance, their plugin now also supports member-gated content in addition to auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. Essentially, this a lot more very closely puts ConvertKit into direct competitors by having you have the ability to release to your website and your e-mail checklist at the same time.
BeeHiiv is seriously lacking in these kinds of third-party integrations currently. It’ll get there. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even busy taking on the growth tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your newsletter with rewards, but you can additionally pay per lead within the interior advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your checklist. These are actually remarkable features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you understand ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is among the most well known viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface wherefore this indicates for the platform going forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Audience Segmentation
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies less features and less integrations, which is natural for this stage of the cycle. However, it also implies that they are swiftly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have observed virtually regular release of brand-new features into the platform. And these aren’t weak little features … but big features that are quite crucial. Their speed of advancement at this moment has been impressive.
I likewise very much appreciate how responsive they are. In fact, among their item statements regarding some style improvements to the website design features really consisted of a tiny problem with the content size. I merely responded to that e-mail to tell them. I quickly got a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That same day, the issue was taken care of.
Few days later, I provided another tip …
Sure enough, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to cause automations based upon the embed form utilized was added to the system.
That type of responsiveness and direct involvement of the group is something I truly value.
An additional major factor of distinction right here is the cost. Both systems provide complimentary plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan offers extra capacity and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally even more desirable. ConvertKit appears more affordable in the beginning look because their pricing page reveals lower numbers, however the client limitations are FAR lower and your price swiftly boosts as your listing grows.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid each year), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That same size listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I personally use), you can grow your list up to 100,000. A list of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, too, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv remains in an entirely different organization when it pertains to pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point enhance prices? They could as time takes place. But, I’m presuming individuals like myself that are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see just how points proceed.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of the important things you definitely need to remember is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do appear to advance instead swiftly and make brand-new item announcements rather commonly, but there are some standard features I really desire they had that I require to just wait on.
One is that they require to have a setting on membership forms where I might pick an automation to run right at the form degree. That would certainly be outstanding for so many factors. Already, subscription types look OK, but there’s extremely little setups for them to help in division.
It would behave to have marking at the subscriber level. This would be powerful.
I believe webhooks should be part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and minimize reliance on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are also some small management interface modifications that would come in handy. For example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to bulk edit blog posts (for instance, to identify a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a few standard fields as standard on clients (like the name).
- Some more modification options for the site (such as more versatile color selections, headline control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Points I wish they perform with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, but it isn’t ideal and certainly not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM product.
It most likely never will certainly be, either. As I said, the function is various so it would not a lot a great deal of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation platform. I guess you never understand, however.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Evaluation
I such as BeeHiiv quite a whole lot. Sufficient where I decided to switch my own newsletters over to the platform regardless of my individual choice for digital sovereignty and having my own platform.
Basically, for the newsletter posting model specifically, I saw sufficient worth in their system to necessitate the adjustment.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my unique email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv of what it is proficient at, yet I intentionally have things establish so that I also maintain my listing “in home” within FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is simply a great insurance plan, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are using Substack right now, I ‘d certainly think about switching over to BeeHiiv. It will just be more business-friendly. It is targeting different capabilities and various demands. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the switch must be rather straightforward.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a huge e-mail list and are as a result being fleeced with their high monthly costs. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are iterating swiftly. There’s additionally a pretty good chance you’re not even making use of some of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t also need them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might conveniently be a better and much more economical fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be extremely willful concerning expanding a newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE platform to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open about what it is made to be, it is just one of the best games in town right now. This is the system to enjoy.
BeeHiiv provides a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth taking a look at for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll locate the totally free account to be rather feature rich.