The hottest Content creation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Do AI chatbots send higher quality traffic to publishers?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are sending more traffic to news websites, and this traffic seems to be of higher quality. People who click through from AI might be more interested in the content compared to regular search engine visitors.
  2. Some publishers are seeing a big increase in paid subscribers from AI referrals, meaning users from these platforms are more likely to pay for content. This suggests AI traffic might be valuable for monetization.
  3. The New York Times is starting to work with independent creators, which shows a shift in how traditional media interacts with the creator economy. This could lead to new opportunities for creators within established media outlets.

Notes on SubStack These Days

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 338 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Substack thrives on community engagement. When users get involved by sharing feedback and suggestions, it keeps the platform vibrant and active.
  2. The success of Substack isn't just about technology; it's about the writers and readers who contribute their ideas and critiques. Their participation helps shape the platform's future.
  3. Balancing free and paid subscriptions is essential for growth. A healthy free audience can convert to paying subscribers, which is crucial for lasting success.

I See the SubStack Culture Wars Have Started Up Again

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 307 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. SubStack has both supporters and critics. Some people like it for helping independent writers reach audiences, while others worry about its pricing and who benefits from its platform.
  2. The discoverability feature of SubStack is seen as a double-edged sword. While it helps writers gain readers, it can also make them dependent on the platform, limiting their options.
  3. Many creators feel stuck on SubStack due to its advantages, even if they have concerns about its practices. This highlights the struggle of balancing the need for exposure with the desire for better platforms.

How to Make Money Writing on Medium in 2024 | Interview With $100K Top Writers Zulie Rane and Sinem Guenel

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 699 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
📚 Literature Content creation
  1. To succeed on Medium, focus on building a loyal audience. Engage with readers and make your writing relatable.
  2. Use the updated metrics and features on Medium to boost your stories and get noticed. It's important to stay informed about what's new.
  3. Writing high-quality content is key, but also think about how to make your work stand out from the crowd to get more readers.
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Why Longer (Content) Isn’t Always Better

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Short content can be more powerful than long content. It grabs attention quickly and gets straight to the point.
  2. Consistency in creating short content can build a strong following. Regular updates keep readers engaged and coming back for more.
  3. Longer content isn't always necessary to convey a message. Sometimes, less is more, and being concise can be more effective.

How I Lost 100,000 Followers in One Year, and It Made Me a Better Writer

OK Doomer • 360 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
📚 Literature Content creation
  1. Breaking the rules can lead to better writing. Following strict guidelines might limit creativity, but stepping outside those boundaries can help a writer express themselves more freely.
  2. Having a real audience is more important than the number of followers. It's better to connect with readers who appreciate your message rather than just chasing clicks and fame.
  3. Writers face many challenges, especially when their views go against popular opinions. Despite the difficulties, persistence in writing can be rewarding, even if it means losing some followers along the way.

This company is building the world's biggest streaming network for baking creators

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. A company is creating a big streaming network just for baking creators. This could help bakers reach a wider audience and share their skills.
  2. The Washington Post might be trying a new model for publishing more opinion pieces, even from non-professionals. This could attract more readers but might also hurt the paper's reputation if quality drops.
  3. Hollywood should stop viewing YouTube as a competitor and start using it as a way to share content. By partnering with YouTube, traditional media can reach more viewers and monetize better.

The Lunduke Journal is moving exclusively to Locals

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 4595 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  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.

The Ultimate Game Dev's Guide to Working with Content Creators

A16Z GAMES • 199 implied HN points • 09 Apr 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. One of the biggest challenges for game developers is working with content creators to market their games effectively. It's important to find creators that resonate with your game and engage with them early on.
  2. Each content creator is unique, so it's crucial to tailor your approach to match their audience and content style. Understand their goals and create experiences that align with them.
  3. Building long-term relationships with content creators requires kindness, respect, and genuine engagement. Treat them well, consider their needs, and value the relationship beyond short-term marketing gains.

How To Make All Your Ideas Work

Day One • 219 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. A mission is different from a product. Companies like Stripe demonstrate how products can evolve to serve a clear mission over time.
  2. Having a central mission and roadmap is crucial for success. It helps in aligning ideas and content creation towards a common goal.
  3. Creating a sustainable roadmap is key to managing multiple ideas effectively. Focus on consistent execution and growth before venturing into new projects.

Always. Be. Blogging.

Silver Bulletin • 1057 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Blog regularly to grow your audience. Consistent posting keeps your readers engaged and helps you establish a routine.
  2. Make your content stand out with catchy headlines and good structure. A strong opening and good promotion can lead to more readers and subscribers.
  3. Think about your unique insights and be ready to share them when relevant news happens. Timeliness and originality can help your writing hit home runs.

How Jonathan Skogmo disrupted the viral video clip economy — and plans to do the same in travel media

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Jonathan Skogmo started his career by working with funny home videos but realized he could use the internet to find clips faster. He shifted to using YouTube as a source for user-generated content, which really took off.
  2. He founded Jukin Media, a company that licenses user-generated videos to various media outlets. His success here made him a key player in that industry.
  3. Now, Skogmo is looking to shake up the travel media world, applying his knowledge from the viral video business to create something new and exciting in that space.

Ready to Rock 2024? Share Your Questions about the Future of Substack!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 379 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. You can ask questions about the future of Substack in an interview with Christina Loff. This is a great chance to find out more about what's coming for the platform.
  2. Sharing your thoughts helps improve the Substack community. By asking questions, you can help shape the discussion about new features and growth strategies.
  3. Substack is focusing on community engagement this year. Getting involved can help you make the most out of the platform, whether you're a writer or a reader.

Why podcast ads demand higher prices than YouTube ads

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. Podcast ads cost more than YouTube ads because people often focus more while listening to podcasts. Many watch videos passively, so advertisers get less value from those ads.
  2. YouTube is turning into a big platform for subscriptions, and it makes a lot of money from them. This shows that users are willing to pay to avoid ads.
  3. Most people in the U.S. do not pay for news when they hit a paywall, which highlights how difficult it can be for news publishers to get subscribers.

Want to Create 4 Weeks of Content? Here’s My #1 Proven Productivity Technique!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 679 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🚌 Education Content creation
  1. Focusing on one task at a time helps you get more done. Trying to do too many things can lead to feeling overwhelmed and achieving less.
  2. Having a clear content creation plan can help maintain productivity even during busy times like maternity leave.
  3. Side hustles can be a great way to balance personal life and work goals. They provide extra income and allow for creativity outside of your main job.

SITREP - 9/19/2023

THREE SEVEN MAFIA • 759 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Season 2 of MINDPHASER is set to release on October 31, 2023.
  2. RealThomas777 plans to start regular livestreams on YouTube and focus more on video content.
  3. Save the date for a Halloween cemetery walk on October 29, 2023, at GRACELAND CEMETARY in Chicago.

The Viral Yard Cleanup Edition

Why is this interesting? • 904 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
💼 Business Content creation
  1. YouTube can be a platform where people showcase unique services, like yard cleanup videos. This combines marketing, good deeds, and entertainment all in one.
  2. Some lawn care businesses gain popularity by documenting their free work on overgrown properties. This not only helps others but also helps them grow their online presence.
  3. Creating content that viewers enjoy is essential in modern marketing. It's better to show entertaining ideas rather than strictly promoting services.

Live video on Substack: smarter, simpler, more discoverable

Substack Blog • 309 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Substack has made live video easier to use with tools that help you plan, promote, and share your streams. Now you can invite guests even if they don't have a Substack account.
  2. After your live stream, Substack automatically creates short clips that highlight important moments. These clips can help attract more viewers and subscribers to your content.
  3. You can schedule your live events and even add them to your audience’s calendars, making it simpler for them to join. This way, your streams can keep attracting new audiences even after they end.

Should AI Be Allowed to Train On My Work?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. New AI tools can make surprisingly good, cheap videos and deepfakes, including realistic-looking celebrity scenes.
  2. Hollywood studios and unions are already pushing back with legal threats, so litigation and new case law on AI are likely to grow.
  3. Creators are angry that AI is often trained on copyrighted work, since that can teach models before they displace people's jobs, and the debate over rights and remedies is messy and unresolved.

What you might have missed on The Shift this year

The Shift With Sam Baker • 359 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. The Shift With Sam Baker is a reader-supported publication that offers some content for free and some behind a paywall.
  2. The author has decided to remove the paywall from a few favorite posts of the past year as a gesture of apology for health-related delays.
  3. The author reflects on the past six months on Substack and expresses gratitude to subscribers for their support.

The internet is about to be reshuffled

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 673 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. When TikTok shuts down, a lot of users might turn to other platforms instead. This could create big opportunities for content creators who need to act quickly to capture the new audience.
  2. Many media companies struggle to see the true value of their employees. Freelance creators are finding success on platforms like Substack, showing that they can earn more outside traditional jobs.
  3. Spotify's move into audiobooks has helped it attract new listeners and grow its business. This shift is seen as one of the smartest decisions among streaming services, providing more value to subscribers.

More languages, live video previews in the feed, and new community moderation tools in the app

Substack • 635 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Substack now offers translations in six new languages, making it easier for more people to read posts. This means readers can enjoy content in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Brazilian Portuguese.
  2. Live video previews are now part of the feed. This helps users discover and join livestreams that are open to everyone, making it easier to connect and engage.
  3. New community moderation tools allow admins to manage comments more effectively. Users can now ban commenters right from the app, helping maintain a positive discussion environment.

The Machine Sessions

The Abbey of Misrule • 193 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. A new podcast called 'The Machine Sessions' will feature conversations about the author's upcoming book. Each episode will be released every Tuesday until the book comes out.
  2. There are special offers for subscribers who pre-order the book, including access to an online event and discounts on writing courses.
  3. The author thanks his readers for their support, explaining that the book's ideas were developed through his writing on this platform over the past five years.

The internet is for 12-year-olds

Read Max • 2950 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Many content creators online are pressured to create content aimed at 12-year-olds due to the large number in the audience.
  2. Internet platforms lack adult mediation between young viewers and content creators, leading to a focus on adolescent content.
  3. Successful creators may reintroduce wholesome content into the online sphere, standing out in a sea of material targeting younger audiences.

A New Literature

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1988 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📚 Literature Content creation
  1. The new companion model called Rent-a-Kent combines blog posts with a trained language model to promote reader interaction.
  2. Creating the companion model felt more like programming than writing a blog post, with less control over the model's responses.
  3. This new form of literature allows for immediate questions and comments without the delay of waiting for replies, but may lack the human connection found in traditional comment sections.

How Nominators on Medium Evaluate Stories for Boost (With Killer Insider Interview)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 479 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Medium's Boost Program helps writers get more views and earnings by promoting their stories to a wider audience.
  2. There are over 60 Boost Nominators on Medium who help select great stories to get a Boost.
  3. Nominators look for unique and insightful stories, not just those from popular writers, so having a small following doesn't stop you from being noticed.

New Year's hangout for subscribers!

Disaffected Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎙 Podcasts Content creation
  1. There will be a live hangout for subscribers on New Year's Eve after the show ends. It's a chance to celebrate together.
  2. Subscribers need a paid subscription to join the hangout on Discord. They will get an email with the link to the chat.
  3. The event is a way to thank subscribers for their support and to connect with them on a special occasion.

‘Pronoun Illness’ 🤔

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. LinkedIn's AI flagged a post as unsafe, causing some users to question the technology's bias. It's raising concerns about how social media platforms control content.
  2. There are calls for developing technology in India to avoid being influenced by foreign political agendas. People want more control over their digital spaces.
  3. OpenAI is working on a new tool called Media Manager. This tool will help creators manage how their work is used in AI training, aiming for more respect for their choices.

This is Going To Be... Not on Substack

ceonyc • 471 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Moving away from centralized platforms like Medium and Substack can offer more control over audience engagement and branding.
  2. Maintaining a direct relationship with your audience on your own site that you control can be beneficial in the long run.
  3. Audience growth and engagement may require more effort when transitioning between platforms, but the control and personal touch can be worth it.

Dating as a Digital Performance

Many Such Cases • 879 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Dating apps are often treated like content platforms instead of tools for finding real connections. Many people care more about creating catchy social media posts than actually getting to know someone.
  2. Sharing personal dating experiences online can distort the purpose of dating. When everything becomes fodder for online discussion, it can lead to unrealistic expectations and self-consciousness while dating.
  3. It's okay to not want to go out with someone based on their date location. But sharing every little criticism publicly can take away from genuine experiences and may not be necessary.

Turning on Paid Subscriptions

By Reason Alone • 80 implied HN points • 08 Nov 25
💼 Business Content creation
  1. Paid subscriptions are now available for the newsletter, and it's a way to support the creator if you appreciate their work. You can choose a monthly or annual subscription.
  2. Subscribers will get some benefits, like priority access to events and possibly the ability to provide feedback on drafts. It's a way to show you're really interested in what they do.
  3. The creator is open about using the income to help with other projects and improve the quality and speed of their content, making it more valuable for subscribers.

The Creator Credibility Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1870 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Content creation
  1. Having a camera crew or a podcast mic can add authority and credibility to a content creator.
  2. The visual presentation, like a podcast mic in shot, can influence perceptions of credibility even if the content itself is not impactful.
  3. Demonstrating credibility in the creator economy is crucial, and visual cues like microphones are a modern way to achieve it.

Rage against the machine

Logging the World • 458 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. The competition for attention on social media has evolved over time, with platforms now offering monetary rewards for content creators based on ad views.
  2. Twitter's new payment system incentivizes generating 5 million page impressions in 3 months, potentially leading to a culture of provocative and controversial content for profit.
  3. Platforms like Substack provide an alternative space for creators to build an audience and share longer, thoughtful pieces outside the cycle of inflammatory content and hate clicks.

Canva's New AI-Magic for Writers🪄 — Here's What You Need To Know (With Video)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 419 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Canva has launched new AI tools that help writers create and manage content more easily. They offer features like text-to-image and text-to-video generators, making creative tasks simpler.
  2. The tutorial includes a step-by-step guide to using these new features, which can help improve online writing and design skills. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to elevate their creative projects.
  3. There's an opportunity to win a coaching session by commenting on the YouTube video, adding an interactive element for users to engage with the content. It's a fun way to connect and learn more.

How to Get Boosted on Medium (with Insider Interview)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 619 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🚌 Education Content creation
  1. Medium can boost your stories, giving them more views and exposure. Some writers have seen their stories gain 100,000 views and more, meaning good potential for recognition.
  2. There are five key criteria to get a story Boosted: it should be constructive, original, share relevant experience, be well-crafted, and memorable. Using these tips can increase your chances of being seen.
  3. Adding a human touch to your writing can make a big difference. While algorithms help, connecting with readers on an emotional level is what truly makes a story stand out.

Et tu, Substack?

Disaffected Newsletter • 899 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Content creation
  1. Substack has introduced a feature called 'Notes' that users cannot turn off. This feels like forced participation to many writers.
  2. Many writers joined Substack to avoid the constant notifications and pressure of social media like Twitter.
  3. The changes to Substack have made some users reconsider their support for the platform and their plans to continue using it.

This YouTuber amassed a half million social media followers by interviewing touring musicians

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 249 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎶 Music Content creation
  1. Josh Weidling created Digital Tour Bus to give fans a peek inside musicians' tour experiences. He films tours and shares the behind-the-scenes moments through videos.
  2. Since starting in 2010, Weidling has posted over 9,000 videos and gained a following of over 500,000 people on social media. His work has grown from MySpace to platforms like TikTok.
  3. He originally saw the project as a way to help promote bands while also using his skills in planning and content creation. It's a unique way to connect musicians with fans.