The hottest Community Building Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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For February: 50% off Subscriptions, 50% off DRM-Free Downloads, Lifetime Subscriptions available

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1148 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Journalism Subscriptions Digital Media Community Building Content creation
  1. You can get a 50% discount on yearly subscriptions this February, making it only $2.25 a month.
  2. There’s also a 50% off deal on DRM-free downloads of all videos, so you can watch them anytime, anywhere.
  3. If you want lifetime access, you can buy a lifetime subscription for $200 during this month, which supports independent tech journalism.

Are Social Media Platforms the Next Dying Malls?

The Honest Broker • 54723 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Online Communities Digital Trends Consumer behavior Community Building
  1. Social media platforms are becoming less unique and are starting to look and feel the same, just like many malls did. This makes them more vulnerable to losing users.
  2. Just as malls suffered from having too many of them, social media is facing similar issues. People are overwhelmed with options and may start to abandon these platforms.
  3. Both malls and social media platforms attract a lot of unwanted behavior, making it hard to build real communities. They often feel artificial and exploitative rather than supportive.

Underrated ways to change the world

Experimental History • 67383 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social Change Community Building Cultural influence Altruism
  1. You don't have to be super rich or super selfless to help the world. Sometimes just being brave and encouraging others can make a big difference.
  2. Building a community and working together is essential. You can accomplish more and create positive change when you have friends by your side.
  3. Getting the right information to the right person is key. Think of yourself as a switchboard, connecting people and ideas to help everyone succeed.

Beyond Dunbar

Philip’s Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media Privacy Community Building Networking
  1. Tech can help people build trust and connect more in local communities. By using technology, we can find out who we have in common with others, making it easier to meet new friends.
  2. Having groups, like school alumni or local clubs, helps establish trust between strangers. If we create safe online spaces for these groups, it can strengthen our connections with others.
  3. Sharing locations securely with close friends can enhance trust. With the right technology, we can let friends know where we are without compromising our privacy.

Free Sociology

Bet On It • 246 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Sociology Libertarianism Political theory Academic Research Community Building
  1. Sociology often seems aligned with progressive views, making it seem like sociology and libertarianism are opposites. However, there are ways for them to connect and have important discussions.
  2. Many classical liberal ideas can lead to important research questions in sociology, especially about how free markets can help reduce poverty. This perspective is different from the common focus on the inevitability of poverty in capitalism.
  3. There is a need for a different approach within sociology that appreciates freedoms like free speech and limited government, rather than just focusing on government regulation or anti-capitalist views.
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Grow: How Wendy MacNaughton builds community with her 30 Days of Drawing practice

Substack • 747 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Community Building Art Education
  1. Wendy MacNaughton believes drawing connects us to our curiosity and creativity. She wants everyone to see how drawing can help us learn about ourselves and the world.
  2. Her '30 Days of Drawing' event creates a fun and supportive space for people to draw together. It helps participants let go of perfectionism and focus on enjoying the process.
  3. The community she has built emphasizes ongoing connection, where members motivate each other even after the drawing event ends. This sense of belonging is crucial for maintaining their creativity.

Calling All Future Medium Superstars: Medium School Opens Its Doors

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1059 implied HN points • 20 Jul 24
🚌 Education Writing Online Courses Content creation Community Building Coaching
  1. Medium School is a new course that helps people write on Medium and earn money. It's designed to build confidence and make writing fun.
  2. The course is only $9 a month and gives access to a community of fellow writers and helpful resources. It's great for anyone wanting to improve their writing skills.
  3. You'll also get access to a Substack School for extra support on that platform. Both platforms can work together without doubling your work.

New read-aloud voices, quote restacks, and Note stats

Substack • 551 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Product Updates Content creation Social media User engagement Community Building
  1. Substack has introduced new ways to share quotes, making it easier for readers to customize and share their favorite parts of posts. This fresh look helps quotes stand out better.
  2. Publishers can now track how their Notes are performing with stats showing new subscribers, clicks, and shares. This can help creators understand what their audience likes.
  3. There are new text-to-speech voices available to enhance the listening experience for readers. Publishers can pick different voices for their posts, making listening more enjoyable.

Reflections on 2024 and Exciting Plans for 2025

Confessions of a Code Addict • 529 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Community Building Content creation Subscriptions Programming Languages
  1. The community grew a lot in 2024, from 4,212 to about 9,380 readers. This shows that more people are enjoying the content and getting involved.
  2. There will be new perks for paid subscribers in 2025. This includes early access to articles and a new series sharing resources and interesting materials.
  3. Upcoming live sessions will include interactive discussions on research papers. This will help everyone understand complex topics better together.

Thank You for 100k: A Journey Through 2024 and Beyond

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 294 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
💼 Business Consulting Data Analysis Content creation Leadership Community Building
  1. In 2024, I gained over 100,000 subscribers on both YouTube and Substack. I really appreciate the support and plan to create even better content next year.
  2. This year showed trends like cloud data migrations and smaller, fractional data teams, which are changing how companies handle data. It's important to keep an eye on these shifts in the data world.
  3. Looking ahead to 2025, I want to finish my book on data leadership and offer more webinars and mini-courses. I'm excited to engage even more with my readers and build a community.

High Growth Engineer Update/Break

High Growth Engineer • 586 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Personal Growth Mental health Content creation Community Building
  1. The writer is taking a break for at least four weeks to recharge and think about what they want to focus on moving forward. This time off is important for their mental health.
  2. When they return, there won't be a strict weekly writing schedule. They plan to prioritize quality over quantity and write when they feel inspired.
  3. The writer has ideas for new projects, like building AI tools, writing a book, or starting a community for discussions. They want to use the extra time effectively to provide more value.

From $147 to $1.5M Writing Online | Interview with Ayodeji Awosika

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 779 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Freelancing Writing Entrepreneurship Online Courses Community Building
  1. Writing can be a real career path; look at those who have succeeded and learn from them.
  2. Building a strong community and engaging with followers is crucial for success; it's better to be known and have strong opinions than to be ignored.
  3. Having an email list is key to connecting with your audience and making money; start building yours today!

On Recent Developments at Substack

Welcome to Garbagetown • 2599 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Online Platforms Social media Free speech Community Building
  1. Acknowledgement of issues with Substack's management of diverse opinions and policies on monetization
  2. The dilemma of deciding whether to stay on Substack despite hosting problematic content or to leave and potentially lose audience
  3. Concern about the online space being dominated by harmful voices if good actors continually leave platforms hosting problematic content

Calling All Future Newsletter Superstars: “Substack School” Opens Its Doors

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1139 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🚌 Education Online Learning Writing Skills Content creation Community Building
  1. Substack School is a new resource for anyone wanting to start or improve their newsletter. It's designed to help you connect with your audience and built a loyal subscriber base.
  2. The school offers tutorials on the basics of Substack, along with tips from successful writers. You'll learn how to craft great content and keep readers engaged.
  3. Joining Substack School lets you be part of a community where you can share ideas and experiences with others who are also excited about newsletters.

The Hagitude program – now available on-demand

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1996 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Personal Growth Spiritual Practices Community Building
  1. The Hagitude program is now available as a self-study, on-demand course after the live yearlong membership program ended.
  2. The program focuses on navigation through menopause, understanding elder women in myth, embracing one's Inner Hag, and passing down wisdom to benefit the Earth community.
  3. The self-study program includes extensive resources like module workbooks, webinar recordings, guest teacher workshops, creative writing prompts, and dreamwork sessions.

New Year's Resolution: Bring Back The Aunties

Reactionary Feminist • 47 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Gender Studies Relationship Dynamics Community Building
  1. Older married women can play a key role in helping younger friends form relationships. They have the experience and interest to gently guide and support their social circles.
  2. The current dating scene feels challenging for many, with issues like online dating creating confusion and loneliness. This highlights the need for support in finding lasting relationships.
  3. Taking on the 'auntie' role by connecting younger singles can be beneficial for everyone involved. It’s a way to strengthen community ties and help combat loneliness among the next generation.

The Lunduke Journal is moving exclusively to Locals

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 4595 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🕹 Technology Content creation Community Building
  1. The Lunduke Journal is moving exclusively to Locals for a better user experience and to consolidate their content in one place.
  2. Locals offers unique features like community discussions, live video streaming, and an events calendar for subscribers.
  3. Subscribers transitioning from Substack to Locals can easily create accounts and access all content from The Lunduke Journal.

Being an idiot and writing your newsletter - an interview I did for Creator Spotlight

Both Are True • 139 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
😂 Humor Stand-up Personal essays Writing Techniques Community Building
  1. Building a newsletter can be a journey of personal expression and growth. Being honest in your writing helps connect with your audience.
  2. Working with other creators and communities can really help you grow your audience and improve your content. Collaboration makes things more fun and effective.
  3. It's okay to not have everything figured out. Embrace mistakes and keep learning as you go. Just talk to people about your work and take it seriously, but also keep it light.

The Recovering Academic in 2023

The Recovering Academic • 970 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-discovery Personal Growth Emotional Healing Community Building
  1. The author shares their journey of leaving academia and dealing with grief, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and community in the recovery process.
  2. The plan for 2024 includes more thought pieces on higher education, collaboration to build community, original memoir and poetry sharing, and interviews to explore interesting life stories.
  3. Despite challenges, the author looks forward with anticipation, focusing on personal growth, gardening, and embracing individuality in their writing journey.

Writing Prompt: What movement does the world need right now?

The Novelleist • 412 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social movements Philosophy Creative Writing Activism Community Building
  1. We are facing a time of change and uncertainty, and we have opportunities to shape the future. It's a chance to creatively think about what the world needs right now.
  2. Writing is important, but taking action is also necessary. We should focus on building movements that align with the changes we want to see.
  3. There are many areas to explore for creating change, like politics, economics, or philosophy. We should brainstorm actionable ideas to make those changes happen.

Why Kids Need Summer Camp

After Babel • 1147 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Resilience Parenting Community Building
  1. Summer camps provide a tech-free environment where children interact face-to-face, fostering strong bonds and a sense of community.
  2. Camp activities are novel and fun, encouraging children to embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones.
  3. Camp counselors act as positive role models, encouraging campers to try new things and showcasing a life without constant connection to devices.

In awe of InVision

Product Identity • 59 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Startup Culture Community Building Product Development
  1. InVision is shutting down, marking the end of a significant era in design tools. Many people feel nostalgic about what InVision contributed to the design community.
  2. Despite its financial struggles, InVision played an important role in shaping design culture and education. It connected designers and provided valuable resources.
  3. The story of InVision shows that a company can have a lasting impact on its industry even if it doesn't succeed as a product. Building community is often more valuable than just providing tools.

How I Made My First Million Online

Day One • 479 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Online Marketing Content creation Monetization Community Building Product Development
  1. Choose a platform that fits your content format and engage with your community to build a loyal following.
  2. Creating products/services should revolve around solving your community's problems, listen to their struggles and offer solutions.
  3. Consistently create quality content, engage with others, and focus on helping people to build a successful online brand.

Growing From Analyst To Data Engineer In 100 Days

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 1165 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Skills Development Community Building
  1. Breaking into data engineering may be easier through lateral moves, like from data analyst to data engineer.
  2. The 100-day plan discussed is not meant to master data engineering but to help commit to learning and identify areas for improvement.
  3. The plan includes reviewing basics, diving deeper, building a mini project, surveying tools, best practices, and committing to a final project.

Post stats in the app, video clipping, and a new masterclass for creators

Substack • 360 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
💼 Business Publishing Marketing Content creation Community Building
  1. The Substack app now has a feature to show important stats for posts, helping creators see where their new subscribers come from.
  2. There's a new video clipper tool to help users create short video clips easily from their content.
  3. Substack is offering a masterclass specifically for video creators, providing them with valuable insights and skills.

Don't Let Anyone Tell You Americans Are Too Polarized to Disagree Passionately but Productively

Journal of Free Black Thought • 37 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Race relations Public Engagement Community Building
  1. People can have deep and respectful discussions about tough topics, even when they disagree. It's possible to talk about sensitive issues without ending friendships.
  2. The recent meetup showed that when diverse individuals share their views and listen to each other, meaningful conversations can happen. Differences can lead to understanding instead of conflict.
  3. Hope exists for better communication in society. If a small group of strangers can connect positively, it's a sign that larger conversations can also be productive.

From TikTok to Substack: Should we welcome digital refugees?

storyvoyager • 18 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Digital Culture Community Building Social media Cultural differences Content creation
  1. Substack is trying to attract TikTok users who might be looking for a new home if TikTok gets banned. This could bring a lot of new voices to the platform.
  2. Some current Substack users are worried that TikTok creators will change the community's vibe. They fear that the special, thoughtful atmosphere of Substack might be lost.
  3. Despite the concerns, this could be a unique chance for Substack to grow and mix creative styles. It could help create more meaningful and in-depth content without losing its roots.

The Ghost in "Dylan's Ghost Story"

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 609 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Storytelling TV shows Nostalgia Ghost stories Community Building
  1. Telling stories with no clear resolution can keep an audience engaged, even if it lacks a traditional ending.
  2. Modern media often presents entertaining narratives that ultimately unravel, leading to self-referential gibberish and a lack of satisfying conclusions.
  3. Nostalgia for a past era, like the 1990s, is often rooted in a desire for the hope, community, and optimism that characterized that time.

Seattle Data Guy In 2024

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 871 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Consulting Content creation Community Building
  1. Seattle Data Guy's work in 2023 involved filming videos, virtual conferences, and writing articles and newsletters.
  2. Client trends in 2023 showed shifts towards greenfield projects, solution design, marketing, and education.
  3. Popular articles in 2023 covered topics like data modeling, breaking out of tutorial hell, and essential templates for data analytics.

Placemaking vs. Mission-Shaping

Breaking Smart • 70 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Urban Design Community Building Digital Infrastructure Blockchain
  1. Placemaking is about creating welcoming spaces where people can thrive, while mission-shaping focuses on specific goals or projects. These two ideas often compete with each other because one is broad and inclusive, and the other is focused and narrow.
  2. The popup city movement is experimenting with creating communities that don't force a single mission, letting people bring their own projects while still fostering a vibrant environment. It's more about the place existing and supporting different activities rather than being driven by a single purpose.
  3. Cities and startups have different goals. Cities are about nurturing life and managing ongoing experiences, while startups are about efficiently solving specific problems. Mixing the two approaches can lead to mistakes in how we build and think about communities.

The Doc Web

escape the algorithm • 718 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Self-Publishing Digital Platforms Community Building Expression
  1. A doc created can easily transition from a private space to a public domain with a simple click of a share button.
  2. Google Docs is more than just a word processor; it forms a unique, vast network known as the 'Doc Web' with subtle yet powerful publishing capabilities.
  3. The widespread accessibility and simplicity of Google Docs as a publishing tool can challenge traditional power dynamics and lead to unconventional forms of expression and shared knowledge.

Getting better at 𝕏

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Technology Community Building Product Development
  1. To grow your audience on X, try following big accounts in your field and engaging with their posts. This way, you can gain followers by sharing your thoughts and support.
  2. Using SEO tags can help more people find you on Google, which is a smart way to increase visibility for your business.
  3. Creating a community for your product can foster discussions and improvements, even if it feels a bit empty at first. It's a great way for users to connect and share ideas.

Federated Ecovillages & Steps Towards a Modern Cybersyn

Sunshine and Seedlings: A Newsletter by HydroponicTrash • 609 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Community Building
  1. Decouple from the capitalist system by creating alternative systems like free housing collectives and community land trusts.
  2. Build federated ecovillages and interconnected communities to share resources, knowledge, and create a cooperative network.
  3. Use modern technologies and community databases to work towards a modern Cybersyn system for fair distribution of resources and fostering collective autonomy.

A Year of Ordinary Time

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 794 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Life reflections Personal Growth Community Building
  1. The author will be moving to a paid subscription model in 2024 to maintain quality content.
  2. The author expresses concerns about the direction Substack is taking, especially with a focus on non-fiction over fiction.
  3. 2023 was a year of significant personal developments for the author, including finding faith, appreciating art, and changing his name.