✨ the SPARK 200 ~ Celebrating 200 Issues! 🥳

Welcome to the 200th issue of the SPARK, a weekly newsletter that helps you transform daily experiences into compelling content that
captivates and sells.

Holy. Moly.

Two hundred newsletter issues sent weekly - haven’t missed once! 🥳

Issue 208 will be four years straight (52 weeks/yr)- but still. It’s a pretty cool milestone and one worth celebrating, wouldn’t you agree?

To celebrate, I have a special offer for you, but first, I want to share my thoughts on beehiiv vs. Substack, thanks to a reader question (what’s up Zhimmithee! Thanks again for your question).

I responded to his email but wanted to go a little deeper and thought some of you might also be wondering about this.

Here’s his question:

“I read a post of yours a while back about switching to beehiiv. I see you’ve stuck with it. I take it that means you still like it? Or too much of a hassle to move back?

I’m asking because I’m on the fence between the ’hiiv and the ’stack. 

I’m just starting out. So cost is definitely a factor.”

So let’s dive into “the ‘hiiv or the ‘stack” debate.

The TL;DR was that I suggested he start with Substack.

As much as I love beehiiv, if you’re starting out and don’t have an audience, you’re going to have to work a lot harder on beehiiv than Substack to grow your subscriber list.

There is zero discoverability built into beehiiv.

Last week, I shared some marketing predictions (observations) and said that a lot of people are starting out on platforms like Substack (or Medium or even YouTube) as opposed to starting with a traditional website.

With a traditional website, you need to understand SEO and do a lot of work to get organic traffic. That or you need the money to invest in paid traffic, which means learning that or hiring someone else (both will be pricey).

Here’s the thing: Your audience is already on platforms like Substack, Medium, or YouTube (although you still need a way to capture email addresses if your focus is YouTube).

Your content and publishing schedule are all you need to focus on, which in and of itself is work. However, you don’t have to add learning SEO (well, YouTube, you would), spending hours on social media, and maybe investing in paid traffic.

*Side note: No one really knows what’s going to happen with SEO as generative search and AI become the go-to as opposed to ‘Googling’ something. All that to say, you’re better off publishing where you know people are already hanging out. You can always create a traditional site later (if you even need it. A publication on Substack essentially has its own site).

So the next logical question is why, and maybe even when, would you use beehiiv?

And why am I still using it? 😉

When it comes to any tool you use, I have always believed the best tool is the one you will actually use. If you’re comfortable with your tool and getting results, who cares what anyone else is using?

However, your business model is the most crucial factor in determining which tool to use.

Substack allows you to email your subscribers (without having to publish a post/article), but that’s pretty much the extent of your email functionality.

beehiiv has tags, segments, and automations that allow for conditional logic (if this, then that).

So, it operates very much like a traditional email service provider.

But if you don’t see yourself needing or wanting advanced email functionality, then everything in me says you’ll get more bang for your buck regarding growth with Substack (I feel like I’m cheating on beehiiv by writing this on beehiiv 😂).

Substack allows you to download your subscribers, which you can then import into a traditional email service provider if you need that functionality down the road.

However, keep in mind that Substack doesn’t have an API.

This means you can’t connect Substack to anything else. No Zapier or Make options for sending a Substack subscriber to an email service provider.

You’d have to do this every week manually.

This means you also have to stay on top of people unsubscribing. (Does anyone else have a headache at the thought of this?).

Then there’s the argument of Substack taking a percentage of sales if/when you have a premium newsletter, whereas with beehiiv, it’s a flat fee (you can start free with limitations).

You’re the only one who can decide which is better for you (Substack takes 10%). Personally, if a platform I’m using is free and it’s helping me add subscribers daily (at no additional cost for traffic sent or opt-ins)… I’m not sure I care about 10%.

Why I’m Still Using beehiiv

I still love using the platform; it looks great, and I’m making some big changes in my business in the upcoming months.

There’s no point in making a move until my plans are solidified.

I’m also super excited and curious about what’s coming, thanks to the acquisition of Typedream this past June.

If you’ve been having success on Substack, hit reply and tell me how it’s going. I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

SPARK Spotlight 🔥

A Little Brainpower 🧠

The value of sharing more than just “the wins.” Katelyn Bourgoin shares the behind-the-scenes of her mission to grow to $2M a year.

Speaking of Substack… “A Guide to Writing a Killer About Page on Substack.”

The difference between creating and storing. A visual guide to “Emptying Your Brain.”

This is a phone?! Check out Huawei’s new tri-fold phone… that costs more than a MacBook Pro!

Tool Time 🛠

• AI + Spreadsheets: Turn your spreadsheets into reports, charts, and visuals! Use Bricks free here.

• Writing: A distraction-free writing, outlining, and mindmap tool. The best part? It’s free to use. Download Effie here.

• Research & Write: AI Research Assistant, Reference Manager and Writing Assistant. Try Paperguide free here.

• LinkedIn: Yep, another option for creating viral LinkedIn posts with AI (their words, not mine). Check out Scripe here.

• Notion: Create better iOS widgets directly connected to Notion. Download Wigion free here.

Is anyone else feeling this? 😂

So don’t judge me, but I’ve been watching the “Holiday Gingerbread Showdown” on MAX this week.

Not because I’m even remotely ready for Christmas but because I have limited options for what I can watch in Costa Rica 😜.

I’m not a huge fan of competition shows (they cause me angst), but there is something awe-inspiring about watching talented people create these incredible themed creations from scratch with gingerbread and other yummy treats.

It’s so clear that all the bakers competing in the competition love what they do.

I would guess that most of them started out baking as a hobby, realized this innate talent, and decided to go all in.

If you’re going to work for yourself, that’s how it should feel.

Have a wonderful day,
Kim