The hottest Branding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Weekend Digest

Day One • 179 implied HN points • 10 May 20
💼 Business Branding
  1. Start your week with a plan on Sundays to set a purposeful tone.
  2. Failing to plan is planning to fail - prioritize organization for success.
  3. Benefit from the valuable insights in newsletters if you missed out on them during the week.

How DTC razor brand Billie built a $310M brand by showing body hair and bucking gender norms

the case for brand 💼 • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Billie is changing the shaving game by showing that body hair is normal and celebrating women's choices. They make it clear that shaving should be a personal choice, not something women are pressured to do.
  2. Their success comes from offering products at fair prices without the 'pink tax'. They provide quality razors that don't charge more just because they are made for women.
  3. Billie uses clever marketing that connects with women, like campaigns that challenge beauty standards. They've built a strong brand that stands out from traditional competitors.

Coca-Cola: "A cure for all nervous affections"

SatPost by Trung Phan • 90 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💾 History Branding
  1. Coca-Cola's origin involved cocaine, patent medicines, and mass advertising.
  2. The advertising techniques for Coca-Cola were revolutionary during the Gilded Age, emphasizing image over product.
  3. Coca-Cola's branding strategy, including its name and marketing, played a pivotal role in its success as a beverage.

What Martha Stewart can teach us about reinvention and career pivots.

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 23 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Martha Stewart shows that it's possible to reinvent yourself after a big setback. Her journey teaches us that you can bounce back and create something new, no matter the challenges.
  2. It's important to be true to yourself and let your passions guide you. Martha followed her curiosity and constantly sought new opportunities, which helped her build a successful brand.
  3. Being bold and ignoring criticism is key to achieving your goals. Martha had a strong vision for her life and career, and she didn't let negative opinions stop her from pursuing her dreams.
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Big as the what? Big as the Super Bowl: Marketing, Storytelling &...

The Social Juice • 17 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Good brand storytelling is not just about being creative; it's important to have a clear strategy. A story that resonates can build trust and engage your audience.
  2. You should always focus on solving a problem your audience has when telling your brand story. This helps make the story relevant and valuable to them.
  3. When a brand fails at storytelling, it loses customer loyalty and trust. But if a business fails in its brand storytelling, it risks shutting down completely.

Venezia FC: Fashion & Football

Original Football • 19 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🎾 Sports Branding
  1. Football and fashion have become increasingly intertwined in recent years.
  2. Venezia FC exemplifies the fusion of traditional culture and modern fashion sensibilities in their brand identity.
  3. Venezia FC's unique approach to fashion in football has earned them a dedicated following and positioned them as a lifestyle brand beyond their football accomplishments.

Building CAUSL - Episode 5: Long Term Goals

CAUSL Effect • 19 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. It's important to define who you are and what you want. Knowing your identity helps you stay true to your goals.
  2. Setting long-term goals gives you clarity and direction. This helps in making decisions aligned with where you want to be in the future.
  3. Scaling your impact is key. Aiming to help many people or companies rather than just a few can lead to bigger success.

Why more clients aren't buying from you (yet)

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 10 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Show your expertise in action. Document your thought processes and how you solve problems to help potential clients see your value.
  2. Position yourself as an authority by clearly sharing your unique mission and message. This attracts clients who resonate with your vision.
  3. Build relationships instead of just relying on cold leads. Most clients come from referrals and connections within your network.

The power of a trusted brand

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
💰 Finance Branding
  1. People often confuse their personal success with the strength of their company's brand. When they switch jobs, they might be surprised that not many clients follow them.
  2. Investors generally trust well-known brands more, and they expect higher returns from funds associated with those brands. This trust can significantly influence investment decisions.
  3. Once a brand's reputation is damaged, it can be hard to recover. Renaming the fund might help, but strong brands should keep their name to maintain investor confidence.

FC Barcelona Considers Dropping $100 Million Nike Contract To Start Its Own Clothing Brand

Huddle Up • 25 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. FC Barcelona is thinking of ending their $100 million Nike deal to create their own clothing brand, potentially setting a new trend in the industry.
  2. Viewership stats show women's college basketball attracting more attention than men's, indicating the power of certain players and stars.
  3. Nike has not only sponsored FC Barcelona for 26 years but also subsidized player wages, highlighting the significant financial relationship between the two.

X replaces @ with 𝕏

The Techno Sapiens • 2 HN points • 01 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Branding
  1. X is replacing @ with 𝕏 in an effort to solidify its new branding, starting to roll out the feature to select users over the next few days.
  2. The announcement was made by X, formerly known as Twitter, via a blog post from its CEO, Elon Musk.
  3. Typing 𝕏 might be challenging on regular keyboards, but solutions like text replacement shortcuts for mobile users or keyboard shortcuts for Mac users exist.

Portfolio secrets for product designer

A Generalist newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🪑 Design Branding
  1. Have your own website instead of just using platforms like Behance. It makes you stand out and shows you're serious about your brand.
  2. Show only a few of your best projects in your portfolio. Focus on what you did in each project so employers can see your skills clearly.
  3. Let your personality shine in your portfolio. Share interesting things about yourself that make you unique and memorable.

Brands, Ads, and the Persuadable You

From the Desk • 9 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Not all ads are great, but repetition can make a brand stick in your mind. Some ads just need to inform rather than entertain.
  2. Good brands connect emotionally with their audience. They aim to show that using their products can help you feel like a better version of yourself.
  3. Positioning is key for brands. They need to clearly show who their products are for, helping certain shoppers feel more drawn to them.

The Anti-Brand-Builder’s Guide to Building Your Brand

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Think of your life story in just a few words. Writing a six-word biography helps you see the key points of your journey and values.
  2. Identify what you’re really good at. Everyone has a unique skill, or 'superpower,' that they can share, and recognizing this can help you define yourself better.
  3. Start small by sharing what you know. You don’t need to do big things right away; even a simple social media post can be a good first step.

Word Association Fame

Working Theorys • 17 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Attention is a zero-sum game in today's world; competing for it on various platforms is necessary.
  2. The new attention playbooks for gaining fame are likely to involve old tactics, like word association.
  3. Brands have historically used word association to create strong connections with consumers and stand out amidst competition.

One Year of The Case

the case for brand 💼 • 7 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Writing helps to clarify thoughts and ideas clearly. It's like a tool that can really improve your understanding.
  2. People are really interested in detailed stories about how brands succeed. These deep dives into brand strategies are valuable to many.
  3. The future will see continued experimentation and interesting interviews with influential figures in branding. There’s a lot of excitement around who can be featured next.

Should you become a B2B Creator?

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 2 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. You don't need to create a lot of content to attract clients. Focus on quality and building trust instead.
  2. Big businesses in the B2B space are looking for creators with authority and a clear message, not just huge audiences.
  3. Creating content strategically can open up partnerships and opportunities for revenue while still serving your clients well.

Thanks and Q&A

Optimally Irrational • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Paid subscribers are really appreciated because they allow more time for writing and creating content. Supporting through subscriptions shows value in the work being done.
  2. There is a desire for more engagement and interaction with subscribers, encouraging them to share their thoughts and suggestions. It’s a great way to build a community.
  3. Future plans for the platform include expanding topics and content based on subscriber interests, aiming for more relevant and meaningful discussions.

How 43 famous companies got their names.

Jon’s Newsletter • 3 HN points • 30 Apr 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Many famous companies have names that come from their founders or meaningful phrases. For example, Nike is named after the Greek goddess of victory.
  2. Some companies chose catchy names that evoke ideas or images. For instance, 'Amazon' was selected to suggest a vast online bookstore, while 'Spotify' is a blend of 'spot' and 'identify'.
  3. The naming process often includes fun or unexpected stories. Like how IKEA's name comes from the founder's initials and his childhood home, or how Starbucks got its name from a character in Moby Dick.

Pico Masala: How I Built a Restaurant Empire—Then Gave It Away for Free

Juan David’s Newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 02 Jul 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Building a unique brand is crucial for success. It's not just about good food; your name, story, and design should be memorable to attract customers.
  2. Understanding your target market helps create personalized experiences. Researching customer needs allows you to connect with them on a deeper level and improve sales.
  3. Using a sustainable business model can help you grow. Consider options like subscription services or loyalty programs to ensure steady income and build customer loyalty.

Fantastic Builders and Where to Find Them, 3rd installment

Building the Builders • 2 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Estée Lauder believed strongly in her products. She felt that to sell beauty, you have to genuinely love and believe in beauty yourself.
  2. Her journey was not just about business; it was a lifelong mission to teach women how to be and feel beautiful. This passion shaped her identity and life choices.
  3. Estée's experiences with beauty began in childhood, leading her to realize that creating beauty could be more than just a hobby; it could be a serious, fulfilling career.

Customer reviews: bop or flop?

Mehdeeka • 3 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Reviews can be a powerful marketing tool for branding, pipeline growth, and higher conversions.
  2. To get more reviews, consider running campaigns, both by G2 and vendors, and use passive review strategies.
  3. Reviews have the most impact in the middle of the sales/marketing funnel and can be amplified across marketing assets like websites for increased trust and conversions.

House of the Mouse

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 4 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Branding
  1. Disney Princesses have only been an official thing for 18 years.
  2. The Disney Princess brand has undergone changes and controversies over the years.
  3. Brand management and integrity are crucial for Disney and have driven major decisions.

Choose a bad name for your next project

Nerology • 1 HN point • 07 Jun 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Choosing a bad name for your project can help you focus on creating a good name later. A mediocre name might stick and be harder to change.
  2. Temporary names can create space for more creative and meaningful final names. This approach has been taken in music and climbing.
  3. A bad name can be helpful, but it's important to consider your audience and goals. Famous people might not follow these naming rules because they have built-in attention.

Humor and Stories as a Way to Build Loyalty

Build Startup In Public • 1 HN point • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. Using humor and stories can help brands connect to their audience and keep them engaged. This makes people feel like part of a community.
  2. Creating relatable content can lead to positive feelings and keep people coming back for more. It's important to make sure the style matches the audience's preferences.
  3. Tracking audience engagement, like laughs during presentations, can help improve how content is delivered. This helps brands tell their story more effectively.

Four Laws of Brand-Building in the Digital Age (Part 2 of 4)

The Intersection • 0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 21
💼 Business Branding
  1. In the digital age, brands are shifting focus from Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to Point of View (POV) as a more powerful marketing tool.
  2. Brands are facing challenges in protecting their USP in the digital world due to rampant copying and mimicry, highlighting the importance of having a distinct POV.
  3. The driving force for success in today's competitive landscape lies in having a strong Point of View (POV) that is unique, consistent, and resonates with consumers.

How Dude Perfect created a content driven brand?

This week I am curious about? • 0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Dude Perfect started with five roommates creating fun trick shot videos that went viral, showcasing their competitive yet humorous personalities.
  2. The founders eventually quit their full-time jobs to focus solely on creating content, leading to rapid growth and success for the brand.
  3. Dude Perfect diversified their content beyond trick shots, partnered with brands and celebrities, and expanded into owning their own platform and creating offline experiences like a theme park.

What Does Your Brand Stand For?

Build To Scale • 0 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. A brand is the promise a company makes combined with the customer experience. It's crucial to focus on delivering quality products and services that align with this promise.
  2. The success of a brand is not just about logos or taglines but about creating products customers can't live without. Constant innovation and differentiation are key.
  3. Maintaining a strong brand requires consistently delivering on the promise and continuously improving products to meet customer needs.

Battle of the band branding

Mehdeeka • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Branding
  1. Rebrands in the tech industry are significant projects that involve various opinions and risks.
  2. Musicians tend to have a more fluid approach to branding, often changing their visual identity between releases.
  3. Brands in various industries, including tech, can learn from the music industry to be more flexible and creative in their branding.