The hottest Content creation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Write a Newsletter 52 Weeks in a Row and Watch It Change Your Life

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 2118 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🚌 Education Content creation
  1. Writing a newsletter weekly for a year can build consistency and discipline. It's about showing up even when things aren't perfect.
  2. Doing this helps improve your writing skills. After a year, you'll have a lot of content and feel more confident in your writing.
  3. You might discover new interests by writing regularly. It allows you to explore what topics truly excite you as you go.

6 Things You Need to Know About Medium’s Latest Changes

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 979 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Medium has banned AI-generated content, meaning all writing must be done by humans. If you use AI to write, you can lose access to their Partner Program.
  2. The platform routinely removes fake accounts, which might cause some users to lose followers. This is part of Medium's effort to maintain a genuine and quality community for writers.
  3. Medium is encouraging authentic engagement and discouraging any schemes that generate artificial traffic. It’s best to treat Medium like a magazine by reading and responding to what interests you.

Why the founder of a popular cycling blog sold it and then left to launch a competitor

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Wade Wallace started CyclingTips as a hobby while he was in Australia, and it grew into a successful news website. He focused on sharing stories and insights that people loved, even without formal journalism training.
  2. After selling CyclingTips and struggling with the changes from the new owners, Wallace launched Escape Collective, which relies on paid subscriptions instead of ads. This model aims to offer independent, quality journalism in cycling.
  3. Escape Collective focuses on building a community around cycling, encouraging members to contribute ideas and insights, and Wallace prefers a smaller, tightly-knit team over a large staff. He believes in the power of direct support from readers to create valuable content.
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How Medium finally pivoted its way to profitability

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 1546 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Medium has turned around its business by focusing on quality writing and rewarding writers better. The new management cut unnecessary costs and introduced systems that encourage good content.
  2. A big part of Medium's success is its commitment to human curation. Instead of relying only on algorithms, real people help highlight the best articles, making the platform more reliable for readers.
  3. Medium aims to attract not just professional writers, but everyday people who want to share their knowledge. This broader approach could help it grow even bigger, potentially reaching millions of subscribers.

A New Way to Collaborate With Other Substack Newsletter Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1638 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Collaborating with other newsletter writers can make the process more enjoyable and less lonely. It’s great to find support and connect with like-minded people.
  2. Using Substack’s recommendation features can help grow your subscriber base. Many writers have successfully gained subscribers through community recommendations.
  3. Letdir is a new directory for Substack writers that helps you discover and connect with others in your niche. It’s an easy way to find collaboration opportunities.

From 0 to 1,000 Subscribers with Free Recommendations

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1318 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Recommendations are a great way to grow your subscriber base. Almost 28% of new subscribers can come from other newsletters suggesting your work.
  2. You don't need to spend money on ads to gain subscribers. Many writers have seen success by simply building relationships and getting recommendations for free.
  3. Substack’s recommendations engine is powerful and can help you increase your audience quickly. It works for new writers just as much as for those with a big following.

From Zero to 3,600 Subscribers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1678 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Substack is great for starting and growing an email list without any upfront costs. You can begin your newsletter today and only pay a small fee if you earn money.
  2. You own your email list on Substack, meaning you can take it with you if you decide to leave. This gives you more control than relying on social media followers.
  3. Substack combines features of websites, blogs, and community platforms all in one place. It's designed to be user-friendly for beginners and offers a chance to monetize your writing easily.

Non-political content online gets nerfed; AIs never got superintelligent in e-sports; Is "selling out" no longer a thing?

The Intrinsic Perspective • 5349 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Non-political content online is getting less attention and support, making it harder for diverse topics to be discussed. People are increasingly getting trapped in their own echo chambers instead of engaging with differing viewpoints.
  2. AI companies seem to have moved away from competing in e-sports, possibly due to the challenges of creating truly intelligent systems. This shows that superintelligent AIs aren't as close as some had hoped.
  3. The idea of 'selling out' doesn't seem to carry the same weight anymore. Artists and creators are finding new ways to monetize their work without the same stigma attached to commercial success.

The holiday web traffic surge isn't coming this year

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. This holiday season, many food bloggers are not seeing their usual traffic because AI is taking over recipe searches. Unfortunately, the AI sometimes gives wrong instructions that could ruin dishes.
  2. AI tools have significantly improved the way we can read and transcribe handwritten texts. This could really help historians and researchers digitize old documents much easier and make them searchable.
  3. Podcast companies are experiencing a new wave of deal-making due to the rise in video podcasts. They are looking to monetize through various types of content including audio and video, hoping to get better returns this time.

I Hit 4,000 Subscribers and Now I Need Your Help

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1378 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. The writer reached 4,000 subscribers in just 15 months, which is a big achievement for a newsletter. They did it without relying on friends and family for support.
  2. They are thankful for their readers, especially the paid subscribers, who help keep their content going. This support allows them to focus on creating quality material.
  3. The writer wants to know more about their audience's interests. They plan to use a new survey tool to ask readers directly what they would like to see in the future.

2 Juicy Headline Hacks That’ll Make You Better Than 95% of Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1178 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🚌 Education Content creation
  1. Spend more time writing your headlines than your content. A great headline can attract attention and get people to read your work.
  2. Use the Rule of 10 to write multiple headlines before choosing the best one. This helps avoid overthinking and lets your creativity flow.
  3. Follow the 4Ps: identify the problem, person, product, and promise in your headline to make it more compelling and clear for your readers.

The Top 5 Most Exciting New Features on Substack (and How to Maximize Their Benefits)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 999 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Substack has introduced exciting new features, including an updated recommendations engine and advanced layouts, that writers can use to enhance their content.
  2. It's important for writers to stay informed about these changes to avoid feeling overwhelmed and burnt out during their writing journey.
  3. Joining a community or school, like Substack School, can provide support and resources to help writers grow and succeed with their newsletters.

Here’s to the First Million Free Pressers—And the Next

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4405 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
📰 News Content creation
  1. The Free Press has grown to one million subscribers by focusing on delivering honest journalism. People are looking for trustworthy news that reflects reality.
  2. Instead of just rejecting old media, The Free Press aims to provide valuable content that people need. They emphasize the importance of pursuing truth in their reporting.
  3. The growth of The Free Press shows that many people still care about real journalism and want to support it. This gives hope for the future of journalism as a whole.

Calling All Future Newsletter Superstars From Europe (Especially Germany)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 839 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. There are new features for Substack that help non-native writers, like setting a default language for their newsletters.
  2. German-speaking writers want to connect and collaborate more, and there's a new online space for this group to share and improve their skills together.
  3. It's important for writers to stay consistent and confident, even if they feel like no one is reading their work.

After Three Years, What's Left?

Animation Obsessive • 10943 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Content creation
  1. The Animation Obsessive newsletter, even after three years, remains a small team passionate about sharing accessible stories on animation.
  2. Reader support has allowed the newsletter to grow into a full-fledged career, without ads or sponsorships with companies.
  3. The team highlights the continuous thrill of learning and discovering new aspects of animation, striving to keep delivering interesting content to their audience.

Charlotte Stavrou: Influencers and Entrepreneurship

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. Charlotte Stavrou shares how her childhood shaped her determination and drive as an entrepreneur. She believes that personal experiences can greatly influence one's work ethic.
  2. She discusses her recent dyslexia diagnosis and how it helped her feel more complete, as the education system made her feel inadequate before.
  3. Many founders are starting to become influencers now, partly due to the changes brought by COVID-19. Charlotte's agency provides insights on how influencers can better price their services.

How Much Money Can You Make Writing on Medium in 2024?

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1099 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. You can make money writing on Medium, but it takes time, effort, and a good strategy. Many writers don't succeed because they rush or lack a clear plan.
  2. Medium has a large potential audience and a payment program that can benefit writers. However, most writers earn less than $100 a month because they don't utilize this platform effectively.
  3. Many new writers quit after a year due to slow growth and unrealistic expectations. It's important to stay committed and focus on improving your writing and promotion strategies.

UX Roundup: AI is the Computer | Disrupting Filmed Entertainment | UX Trends | GOMS | Nano Banana 2 | Lyria 3

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 21 implied HN points • 02 Mar 26
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. AI is becoming the computer itself: many specialized models will be orchestrated into a single, personal system that works on users' behalf and reduces the role of traditional user interfaces. This orchestration combines file systems, secure code execution, web access, and persistent memory to deliver personalized, autonomous capabilities.
  2. AI will disrupt filmed entertainment by improving production workflows, enabling small creators to produce professional-grade content, and spawning entirely new formats and distribution channels. These shifts could redirect tens of billions in industry revenue and reshape how audiences and legacy studios operate.
  3. AI is changing UX practice and tooling: models now make formal methods like GOMS cheap and practical for optimizing skilled-user efficiency, while new models (e.g., Nano Banana 2, Lyria 3) show steady progress but still have limits. Image generation is improving incrementally and music models remain short and constrained by copyright safeguards, so the tools are powerful but not yet perfect.

Does Bluesky have the juice?

Read Max • 4426 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Bluesky is growing quickly, with many users moving from Twitter. However, it's still not as big as Twitter or Threads, raising questions about its ability to truly replace Twitter.
  2. The users joining Bluesky are mainly liberal and politically engaged, which might limit the diversity of content compared to Twitter's broader audience.
  3. YouTube viewers seem to value two main qualities: curiosity and the ability to dominate in debates. These characteristics shape how people engage with political ideas online.

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

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1139 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🚌 Education Content creation
  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.

How to Get Your Writing Featured on Google and Your Own Google Knowledge Panel

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1079 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Getting a Google Knowledge Panel can help you be recognized as a writer. It acts like an online business card that gives information about you and your work.
  2. Creating a Knowledge Panel is not too hard, but keeping it updated takes effort. You need to actively educate Google about you and your work.
  3. Using different types of content like videos and images can make you more visible. Google looks for people who write and engage in various media.

Do content creators need managers?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 1164 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Content creators are questioning the need for managers. Some creators, like MrBeast and Charli D'Amelio, have chosen to handle their business operations themselves instead of relying on management companies.
  2. A manager named Zack Honarvar believes creators should work with creative partners instead of traditional managers. His new company aims to help creators pitch ideas and collaborate in building their brands.
  3. YouTube is becoming more like traditional TV, with more viewers watching it on bigger screens. This means creators need to think about their channels as networks with various series they can pitch to brands.

Medium’s NEW Rules for AI-Generated Writing - Good or Bad?

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 599 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Medium is changing its rules to limit AI-generated writing. Starting May 2024, stories mostly written by AI can't be part of the paid program.
  2. Writers can still use AI tools to help their writing, but they need to put in their own effort to make changes and improvements.
  3. Medium's goal is to support human storytelling and ensure that readers get authentic experiences, which means protecting writers from AI competition.

How I Grew My Substack Newsletter Views by 511% in 30 Days🤯

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 819 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Experimenting can lead to big results in growing your newsletter. Trying new things is important for success.
  2. You might be surprised by how much more traffic your newsletter can get. It's possible to improve your visibility and engagement.
  3. Joining supportive communities and learning resources can really help you grow. Connecting with others can provide valuable insights and motivation.

Thank you for being here

Disaffected Newsletter • 2138 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. The current times are tough, and many people are feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
  2. It's important to focus on the positive aspects of life, even when negativity feels more apparent.
  3. Gratitude is significant, especially for the support received from subscribers and readers.

⬜ The importance of curation

One Thing • 1186 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Curation has a long history dating back to ancient Rome, starting as a way to manage aspects of city life and evolving into a responsibility of caretaking, on both a spiritual and physical level.
  2. The concept of curation has shifted over time, from being associated with museum stewards to being seen as a glamorous act online, where individuals are faced with curating their digital presence to navigate vast content.
  3. There's a call for more support for curation, emphasizing the importance of sustaining those who find and organize valuable content, moving beyond just paying creators for their work.

The Person Behind @Elmo

Link in Bio • 1159 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Social media managers speak on behalf of brands and have guidelines for maintaining the brand's voice.
  2. The social strategy for managing accounts like Elmo's involves maintaining the character while engaging with fans in a relatable and joyful manner.
  3. Creating social-first content for platforms like Instagram involves brainstorming, finalizing content, and working with production to bring concepts to life.

First, Do Not Suck: A Video Presentation on Which Writing Advice to Take (and Which Not To) for Subscribers

Freddie deBoer • 2908 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🚌 Education Content creation
  1. Not all writing advice is helpful; some common tips can actually hinder writers. It's important to find advice that really benefits your style and needs.
  2. Tools like pronouns and the passive voice can be useful in writing, contrary to popular belief. Embracing different writing styles can enhance your work.
  3. Improving as a writer involves a lot of practice and feedback. It's normal to struggle with gaining an audience or making money, even if you see your writing getting better.

How To Build And Profit From A Community

Day One • 559 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Attract customers/clients before creating a product/service - build an audience first based on what interests them
  2. Community-driven model involves letting the community guide content creation and product development
  3. Engage with others in your niche, teach as you learn, and listen to community problems to build a successful community

You Can Meet 6-Figure Fiverr Writer Maya Sayvanova Who Got Featured in Business Insider LIVE

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 539 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Maya Sayvanova is a successful freelancer on Fiverr who has earned over $200,000. She went from making just $5 to becoming a top-rated writer, showing how hard work pays off.
  2. Despite her success, she faced challenges and failures along the way. It's important to keep pushing through tough times and not let setbacks define you.
  3. There's a live event where you can learn from Maya's experience and ask her questions. It's a great chance to get inspired and improve your writing skills.

Reflecting on 2025 + Reader Survey | #318

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 115 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Prioritized family and creative projects over chasing business growth; spending lots of time with a young child was the year's highlight and brought real joy.
  2. Betting on a premium hardcover and direct-to-reader sales paid off—about 325 copies sold and the launch covered much of the upfront cost, making future sales mostly cash flow positive; expanding store bundles and collectibles looks promising.
  3. The business kept operating but felt like treading water with lower income year-over-year, so the plan is to simplify, experiment with formats and the community, and take a mini-sabbatical to regain focus and momentum in 2026.

How a former USA Today columnist launched his own travel channel on YouTube

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 224 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🏝 Travel Content creation
  1. Jefferson Graham started making video podcasts way before they were popular, even sending tapes by FedEx. He really was a pioneer in that space.
  2. After working at USA Today for 30 years, he left to start his own YouTube travel show called PhotowalksTV, sharing tips on where to take great photos in different cities.
  3. He managed to expand his show by partnering with Scripps News, and now it airs weekly, showing that there's a lot of potential in launching personal projects online.

What GTM teams are doing with ChatGPT

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 851 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. GTM teams are increasingly using ChatGPT because it helps streamline many tasks, making it the go-to tool for marketers. Instead of juggling multiple tools, many prefer this single platform for various needs.
  2. ChatGPT is versatile and can be used for a variety of functions like persona research, new product positioning, and creating content outlines. This flexibility helps teams save time and improve productivity.
  3. Using AI like ChatGPT reduces costs and enhances marketing efforts, such as localizing content and generating targeted event invitations. It allows teams to operate more efficiently and effectively reach their audience.

Tradwife obsessions, online archnemeses and a requiem for TinyLetter

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 718 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. The newsletter is splitting into two parts - an essay during the week and the link round-up on weekends to address length concerns.
  2. Readers can now opt-in for an additional experimental section called IRL for more personal content.
  3. The changes in newsletter format were based on reader feedback and the author's desire for more flexibility.