I have actually used a great deal of various email list systems for many years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a massive advocate of digital sovereignty and possessing your own system. Because of that (and the incredible features), I have actually been using Powered By Beehiiv.
So, it is certainly an odd move for me to choose to use BeeHiiv. Besides, it is a held application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I want to discuss why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to address the concern of digital sovereignty while using the system and I ‘d also like to address why I chose to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Big Change In Technique, I discussed just how and why I determined to turn my motor home blog site right into largely a newsletter. I decided that was business model I intended to seek with that building.
Yet, to deliberately seek it as a newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the e-mail list for Happily recreational vehicle, but FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. A lot more on that in a bit.
As I said because issue of the newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools developed right into it specific to my function. Things such as:
- Ability to release (to the blog) and send out the e-mail all at once without having it be two different actions.
- Integrated in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capacity to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are generally one-click registration web links. Great for promo in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are means 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 e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and basically run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features targeted at growth. The system was essentially developed by the people that accumulated the technology for Morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the objective of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various objective.
And I finished off with this:.
I may certainly be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv as well. At least, I’m strongly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. Actually, I just went for it. And as a matter of fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s very own building so that I can grow it more intentionally also.
The objective is that each newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and grown separately. Happily motor home was young, so very easy to transition. Yet, The Morning WP (formerly The Edge) was hidden in a sea of things right 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 constantly be carefully tied with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but does not need to belong of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv because it was constructed for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Regular Email Checklist
There’s a difference in between a newsletter platform and simply an e-mail listing.
You can organize your e-mail listing just about anywhere you desire and there are a number of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The key difference is that, with an e-newsletter system, the act of publishing implies that it is going to your web site and to your e-mail subscribers all at once.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a website. You are releasing to that website. Yet, you are also sending to all customers at the same time. The site and it’s subscribers are done in one. This makes administration of the platform much less complex.
With the majority of email systems, any type of newsletter you set up is done as an e-mail campaign. It is developed completely individually from your website. So, as an example, you could publish an article to WordPress however after that you would certainly require to individually construct and send an e-mail to your listing to send it to customers. These are after that 2 separate sets of archives and 2 different actions since blog posts and your e-mails are not inherently linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a true newsletter system is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name due to the fact that it practically “adhesives” your e-newsletter to your WordPress messages and permits them to be the exact same thing. Certainly, something like E-newsletter Glue would be a strong alternative if I wanted to remain to self-host whatever. Nevertheless, you ‘d shed the development tools that feature a platform like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter inherently features a various set of requirements than a regular email listing.
You do not normally need much marketing automation. You don’t usually require autoresponder series, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO demand, however, is one seamless publishing experience and development devices to aid you develop your subscriber base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was mosting likely to switch the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the fact that I selected to choose BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I assume Substack draws. Actually, because Substack has actually been around much longer, it is more mature and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair points that at first obtained my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to newsletter publishers. As a matter of fact, it is essentially developed by the exact same folks who developed the technology behind Early morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real life, does not matter. However, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter development called me out over the more common positioning of being a “developer”. Development is what I have an interest in below.
- That branding and distinction also means that BeeHiiv has some fairly large brands and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo creators. Again, it just informs me the consumer avatar distinction between both companies.
Sending our my newsletter via FluentCRM really did not specifically suck. The only reason I would consider drinking things up is if I assumed I might expand the checklist much faster. And BeeHiiv spoke precisely to that goal.
As a result of the targeting, I in fact do not see BeeHiiv and Substack as straight rivals. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being more direct competitors.
However, allow’s dive much deeper than just the placing right here.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv feels like it was developed by individuals who recognizing email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears a lot more geared toward designers.
For example, BeeHiiv offers custom areas on subscribers. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. As a matter of fact, it is a visual automation builder that functions a lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation performance is still early-phase. It is still rather limited in triggers and the only action is the capability to send an e-mail. Nevertheless, improvements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers in addition to brand-new actions, such as customizing customized areas, sending out webhooks, etc. I have actually already seen improvements to their automations just since I started utilizing the platform. As an example:
- Capacity to set off automations based on which particular embed type they can be found in on.
- Capacity to immediately do re-engagement (and handle individuals based upon opens and non-opens).
- Ability to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can’t do this because the target market of Substack simply would not think to approach this like an e-mail marketer.
When it concerns writing your e-newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is just more tailored towards newsletters. In fact, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in just how it functions. I locate it to be extra intuitive, personally.
Substack’s composing interface behaves and clean, however it would be a lot more equal to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is greater than simply type. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and after that put anything you desire in it. Then, you can put Exposure alternatives on that area to show it only to paid subscribers, conceal it from email, hide from customers, reveal just to customers, and so on. Substack offers nothing like this.
And when/if the moment comes that I begin a costs subscription model, BeeHiiv does not take any type of income. Actually, you actually link approximately your own Stripe account and it bills straight to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your income. Relying on the amount of subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be a fair bit even more cash than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This could seem nerdy, but what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv work with the outdoors using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack literally has … absolutely nothing. No integrations whatsoever.
Generally, I just felt like BeeHiiv was a lot more built towards actual email marketing. It was built by people that “get it”. Also the opt-in forms and the landing page makes seem much better constructed for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually stated, Substack positions itself towards “developers” more than email online marketers and newsletter owners. Because of that, you see some things tailored a lot more towards individuals who simply think in terms of web content production.
For instance, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support multiple magazines, they are dealt with rather individually. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to several publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, however … cool for individuals that may require it.
Substack likewise has even more social functionality built-in. As an example, it has a conversation function to host chats with subscribers. It additionally has a “Notes” feature which functions sort of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Intriguing. On the whole, Substack is set up to be a lot more like a social network which supports long-form web content.
Generally, Substack is additionally a lot more … minimal. You either care for that or do not. Personally, I don’t. However, if the objective is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack functions pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it pertains to actual marketing, I do not assume there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I tried to find even more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, but honestly … I have a difficult time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are usually through to be the closest competitors, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer competitors. Both are pursuing the very same target market and have comparable capacities.
ConvertKit is likewise positioned at makers (like Substack), but it is far more strongly satisfying individuals who do it for service. ConvertKit has nice visual automation building, it’s own business platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a truly wonderful platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature break down here. ConvertKit is popular already. But, here’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has extra flexibility when it involves it’s automations. I will likewise state that I find ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit extra intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports identifying. This is just a basic feature of email checklists that allows division in a far more flexible means than BeeHiiv presently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support tagging at some time quickly, frankly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Powered By Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does currently give the ability to offer things using their very own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that’s important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nevertheless, I would certainly constantly select an extra straight alternative anyway. For me, I choose to use my own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been around a lot longer and for that reason has way extra integration choices. Tons of web-based devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is fairly effective. As an example, their plugin now even sustains member-gated content as well as auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. In essence, this extra very closely puts ConvertKit right into straight competition by having you have the ability to publish to your website and your e-mail list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly lacking in these kinds of third-party integrations right now. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also hectic taking on the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For instance, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your e-newsletter with perks, yet you can likewise pay per lead within the internal advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your checklist. These are truly outstanding features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you understand ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most popular viral promo platforms for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall surface of what this suggests for the platform moving forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Powered By Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that implies less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nonetheless, it additionally means that they are quickly developing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually experienced almost once a week release of new features right into the platform. And these aren’t undersized little features … however large features that are fairly crucial. Their speed of development now has actually gone over.
I additionally very much value exactly how receptive they are. In fact, among their item news about some layout enhancements to the website design features actually consisted of a small problem with the content width. I simply replied to that e-mail to tell them. I promptly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That exact same day, the problem was repaired.
Couple of days later, I gave them an additional recommendation …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to cause automations based upon the embed type made use of was contributed to the system.
That sort of responsiveness and straight participation of the group is something I truly value.
An additional significant factor of differentiation here is the cost. Both platforms supply free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers extra ability and more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise much more desirable. ConvertKit seems cheaper in the beginning glance since their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, nevertheless the customer limitations are FAR reduced and your cost promptly increases as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid annually), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That very same dimension list 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 make use of), you can grow your checklist as much as 100,000. A list of that size would 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 annually, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for just $84/month if you pay every year.
BeeHiiv is in a totally various organization when it pertains to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually increase prices? They could as time takes place. However, I’m presuming people like myself that are currently in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of the important things you definitely need to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to advance rather rapidly and make new product news rather usually, but there are some standard features I actually desire they had that I need to just wait on.
One is that they require to have a setup on registration forms where I can select an automation to run right at the form degree. That would be incredible for many reasons. As of now, membership forms look OK, yet there’s really little setups for them to assist in segmentation.
It would certainly behave to have identifying at the client degree. This would be effective.
I assume webhooks should be part of automations to make integrated automations easier and decrease reliance on outside devices like Zapier.
There are likewise some small administrative interface adjustments that would certainly come in handy. For instance:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove subscribers.
- Capacity to mass edit articles (for example, to tag a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental fields as basic on customers (like the name).
- Some even more customization choices for the internet site (such as more flexible color choices, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some imperfections. Things I hope they do with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, however it isn’t perfect and definitely not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM product.
It most likely never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the purpose is different so it would not much a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation system. I guess you never know, however.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv rather a lot. Sufficient where I made a decision to switch my very own newsletters over to the system despite my individual choice for digital sovereignty and having my own platform.
Simply put, for the e-newsletter publishing design especially, I saw enough worth in their platform to call for the modification.
Bear in mind, I do not use BeeHiiv as my unique email listing. I make use of BeeHiiv wherefore 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 same. It is just a good insurance coverage, for one. But, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your checklist will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are utilizing Substack right now, I ‘d certainly consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will just be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and different requirements. And also, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the switch must be rather uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly stay put unless you have a big e-mail checklist and are for that reason being wooled with their high regular monthly expense. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are iterating rapidly. There’s also a respectable chance you’re not also making use of a few of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Because of that, BeeHiiv could conveniently be a better and a lot more budget friendly fit.
Finally, if you plan to be extremely intentional regarding expanding an e-newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open regarding what it is designed to be, it is one of the best video games in the area right now. This is the platform to see.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves having a look at for yourself. And if you end up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll discover the totally free account to be rather feature rich.