DIY (Beehiiv/Substack) vs WrittenByTed
Beehiiv and Substack are excellent newsletter platforms. They solve the 'where do I send from?' problem. They do not solve the 'who writes it?' problem.
Feature-by-Feature
| Feature | DIY (Beehiiv/Substack) | WrittenByTed |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | You write every word | Ted writes in your voice -- you review and approve |
| Design | Template-based, you customize | Custom brand design on every issue |
| Time required | 4-8 hours per issue | 10-15 minutes per issue (review only) |
| Content strategy | You plan your own topics | Ted builds and manages your content calendar |
| Growth strategy | Built-in tools, you execute | Ted plans and executes growth tactics |
| Analytics | Dashboard available, you interpret | Monthly reports with actionable recommendations |
| Consistency | Depends on your schedule | Every issue delivered on schedule, guaranteed |
| Cost | $0-$100/month (platform only) | $500-$1,500/month (full service) |
Where DIY (Beehiiv/Substack) Wins
Total creative control
When you write it yourself, every word is yours. No approvals, no voice matching, no translation layer. If writing is something you enjoy and have time for, DIY gives you complete ownership.
Lower direct cost
Platform fees are minimal. If your time has low opportunity cost, DIY is the cheapest option in raw dollars.
Built-in audience
Substack and Beehiiv have recommendation networks that can drive organic discovery. WrittenByTed works on these platforms but the audience discovery features are platform-dependent.
Community features
Both platforms offer community, comments, and discussion features that are tightly integrated with the newsletter experience.
Where WrittenByTed Wins
Time savings
4-8 hours per issue versus 10-15 minutes. Over a year of weekly publishing, that is 200-400 hours reclaimed for your core business.
Consistency guarantee
The number one reason DIY newsletters fail is inconsistency. Ted never misses a deadline.
Professional design
DIY platforms offer templates. Ted delivers custom, brand-consistent design that evolves with your brand.
Strategic support
Ted does not just write -- Ted plans content, optimizes subject lines, tests formats, and provides actionable analytics. DIY gives you tools. Ted gives you results.
Cost Comparison
DIY (Beehiiv/Substack)
WrittenByTed
Choose DIY (Beehiiv/Substack) If...
- Writing is something you genuinely enjoy and have time for
- Your newsletter is a personal creative project, not a business tool
- You are in the early stages and want to test the concept before investing
- Budget is extremely tight and your time has low opportunity cost
Choose WrittenByTed If...
- You have tried DIY and the newsletter went silent after a few issues
- Your time is better spent on your core business than writing newsletters
- You want a consistent publishing schedule without depending on your own discipline
- You need a fully managed solution -- writing, design, sending, analytics, and growth