The hottest Content Strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

SEO & UX: Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 25
🕹 Technology SEO UX Web Development Digital marketing Content Strategy
  1. SEO is changing from a focus on tricks to prioritizing what users actually want. It’s about giving people good experiences rather than trying to fool search engines.
  2. Quality content is key for SEO now. Instead of pumping out lots of low-quality articles, businesses should create useful, in-depth content that truly answers user questions.
  3. Building trust and authority online is crucial. Websites need to show expertise and be credible, as Google favors content from trusted sources.

The paywall dilemma

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Media Trends Creator Economy Subscription Models Digital Platforms Content Strategy
  1. Hiding articles behind a paywall can lower subscription rates. Many readers feel they've gotten enough info from just the headline and first few lines, so they don’t feel the need to pay.
  2. The creator economy is growing, with many people earning six-figure incomes from smaller audiences. This means that you don’t need a huge following to be successful anymore.
  3. Media companies, like BuzzFeed, are shifting to build their own social networks. This helps them keep audiences engaged on their own platforms and improves their chances of future success.

Why is Spotify held to a different standard than Meta?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry Digital Media Content Strategy Creator Economy
  1. Spotify pays a lot to music rights holders, $10 billion in a single year, helping revive the music industry. Yet, artists still criticize Spotify more than they do other platforms like Meta, which pay much less to creators.
  2. There's a big shift from traditional media to independent outlets, as many journalists are launching their own platforms instead of staying with legacy media. This trend shows a growing frustration with mainstream media's control over narratives.
  3. When platforms share revenue with creators, like Fortnite does, it encourages more content and benefits everyone. But relying on AI for content can lead to low-quality output that doesn't hold much value.

From PageRank to DeepRank: Attracting AI-Driven Traffic to Digital Properties

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 34 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI SEO Digital marketing Content Strategy Web Development
  1. AI is becoming more important than traditional search engines for finding information. If your content is not part of AI training data, people may not discover you.
  2. Using email marketing and newsletters is essential for maintaining connections with loyal customers. This helps in creating a solid fan base even if they don't find you through search engines.
  3. To be noticed by AI, your content should be clear, straightforward, and directly answer common questions. This way, the AI can easily reference and cite your work.

Why Substack is trying to lure in TikTok creators

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 474 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
💼 Business Media Creators Advertising Digital Transformation Content Strategy
  1. Substack is aiming to attract TikTok creators by offering a $20 million fund to help them transition to the platform without losing money. This shows their desire to expand beyond just newsletters into multimedia content.
  2. Progressive media outlets might benefit from creating more non-political content to engage a broader audience. Mixing politics with entertainment could reach viewers who wouldn't typically seek out political content.
  3. The New Yorker has successfully transitioned to digital by becoming profitable and expanding its staff. This success story highlights how legacy media can adapt and thrive in the changing landscape.
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The biggest creators are no longer in the merch business

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 648 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Media Creators Ecommerce Streaming Content Strategy
  1. Top creators are moving away from selling low-quality merch and focusing on high-quality products that can compete with retail brands. This shift is about attracting a broader market beyond just their fans.
  2. Apple News has a huge user base and is likely the biggest source of traffic for traditional news outlets after Google. It highlights the importance of being present on major platforms to drive audience engagement.
  3. The current sports streaming landscape is complicated, with fans needing multiple subscriptions to access all games. A more straightforward solution could improve viewer experience and access to content.

When will the sports media bubble pop?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Media Broadcasting Streaming Content Strategy Audience engagement
  1. The sports media market is becoming really expensive for fans because cable bundles that used to help pay for sports are fading away. Many believe this bubble will burst, leading leagues to lower their prices and possibly stream games themselves.
  2. There's a growing niche in media, with some focused newsletters and channels doing well by targeting very specific interests. This shift shows that unique, dedicated content can attract a loyal audience.
  3. For media companies, it’s essential to focus on both new material and evergreen content. By promoting older content, businesses can keep viewers engaged and drive more traffic.

There’s more room for niche “Morning Brew for X” newsletters

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Media Newsletters Subscriptions Content Strategy
  1. Niche newsletters are on the rise, like the 'Morning Brew for X' concept, targeting specific industries and interests. This means there are more opportunities for unique content in less-covered areas.
  2. Substack's features can help writers grow their audiences, despite some criticisms. Many have seen real engagement and subscriber growth through the platform's tools.
  3. There's a growing market for ghostwriters, as more CEOs and creators seek to produce content. This demand indicates a strong interest in professional storytelling and brand-building.

Will Search Engine Traffic Really Drop 25% by 2026, As Gartner Predicts?

Big Technology • 6004 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Search Engines AI Predictions Business impact Content Strategy
  1. Gartner predicts a 25% drop in traditional search engine traffic by 2026, with AI chatbots and virtual agents gaining more traction.
  2. The decline in search engine traffic could significantly impact major players like Google and potentially lead to a shift in web navigation towards chatbots and away from traditional search.
  3. The prediction of a decline in search traffic raises questions about the future of web content strategy and the role of individual web pages in the era of AI-driven answer engines.

How publishers should respond to declining Google traffic

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 1097 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Media industry Content Strategy Revenue Generation Subscription Models Digital Publishing
  1. Google traffic may not be as valuable as perceived, as it often results in low engagement and conversion rates.
  2. High-quality publishers can leverage brand recognition as a powerful tool to compete in search results dominated by AI-generated content.
  3. Building a strong personal brand in the Creator Economy can lead to burnout and lack of exit options, prompting some creators to launch companies separate from their personal brands.

the end of the internet is nigh?

Tiny Empires • 49 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Digital Media Community Building Content Strategy User engagement
  1. The internet is getting crowded with spammy content from bots and AI, making real conversations harder to find. It's important to focus on creating genuine and trusted online communities.
  2. Brands need to shift their strategies from chasing algorithms to building direct connections with their audience. This means prioritizing quality content and engaging personally with customers.
  3. Future success lies in balancing technology and human interaction. Startups should aim to create authentic spaces where people can connect, despite the overwhelming digital noise.

An Invitation to a Webinar Presented by Ayodeji Awosika on 6 July 2023, at 7 PM EST

Content Strategy, Development, & Marketing Insights • 98 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🚌 Education Webinar Writing Training Content Strategy Development
  1. Learn how to become a full-time writer from Ayodeji Awosika in a free webinar on July 6, 2023, at 7 PM EST.
  2. Discover Ayodeji's system to reach a writing income of $5k per month and build an audience on various platforms.
  3. The webinar will cover attracting readers, making money as a writer, and overcoming common mistakes in writing.

How to launch a show on Substack

Substack • 60 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🕹 Technology Video creation Content Strategy Website Design Social media
  1. Start by claiming your subdomain and choosing a title for your Substack. This will help identify your space online.
  2. Think about your video content strategy. Decide what will be free and what will be paid to attract subscribers.
  3. When you're ready, promote your launch on social media and send news to friends. Encourage them to spread the word about your new Substack.

My Creator Journey: From "Beginner" (<1K) to "Growing" (>100K+)

carmona • 79 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Social media Monetization Content Strategy Audience Growth Collaborations
  1. Consider the relative value proposition of each social platform when building your content strategy.
  2. For smaller creators, a cross-platform approach to content strategy can be more beneficial than posting the same content across all platforms.
  3. As you grow, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that aligns with platform trends to maintain and increase audience growth.

Blending AI and Human Creativity: Generative AI and Content Strategy

The Data Score • 39 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Content Strategy Machine Learning
  1. A great content strategy in the alternative data ecosystem should focus on providing validation and memorability of the data story for the audience.
  2. When utilizing generative AI in content creation, it is essential to recognize the valuable use cases and limitations associated with this technology.
  3. Human-in-the-loop collaboration, where AI is fine-tuned and guided by human expertise, can lead to the creation of more impactful and meaningful content.

✅ Media pitching is harder than ever

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
💼 Business Media Relations Public Relations Corporate Communications Digital marketing Content Strategy
  1. Media pitching is really tough right now. Many organizations struggle to get attention because there are fewer media outlets and lots of competition.
  2. Journalists are super busy and get overwhelmed with pitches. Right now, less than 3% of media pitches even get a response, making it hard for PR professionals to connect.
  3. Instead of only pitching to traditional media, organizations should create their own content, like newsletters and podcasts. This way, they can build their own audiences and have better media relations.

Turnaround #1

Turnaround • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jul 19
💼 Business Leadership Content Strategy Networking Design Hiring
  1. Thoughtful leaders and a supportive culture can successfully drive change in even giant corporations that have made big mistakes in the past.
  2. Empathy plays a crucial role in business success, as highlighted by Satya Nadella's focus on empathy in his book.
  3. Some books are meant to be read slowly and savored, with breaks to chew over the content and admire the writing.

Joshua Citarella: Memetic Tactics: The Slow Red Pill

Do Not Research • 19 implied HN points • 14 Jul 21
🕹 Technology Social media Content Strategy Digital Platforms Internet culture
  1. The 'slow red-pill' strategy involves gradually exposing an audience to extremist content by mixing in radical posts with popular conservative content on social media.
  2. Online radicalization tactics are not limited to the American far-right but have been used globally, like in Myanmar by the military to spread propaganda.
  3. Fighting online radicalization requires addressing the societal roots of the problem rather than just relying on content moderation by big tech companies.

You know what really shits me

Mehdeeka • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Marketing SEO Brand Strategy Content Strategy
  1. Starting a marketing strategy based only on what successful large brands do may not work for smaller businesses.
  2. Investing in SEO and organic search may not always bring in customers as expected, especially for companies with less than $10M ARR.
  3. To improve marketing effectiveness, consider looking at the strategy evolution of companies a step ahead and collecting feedback directly from customer-facing teams.

How we got 60,000 users using SEO

Founders Confidential • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 24
💼 Business Marketing Startups SEO User Acquisition Content Strategy
  1. To succeed with SEO, it's important to understand your audience and what they are searching for. Identify long-tail keywords with less competition to rank more easily.
  2. Creating high-quality, valuable content is key. Write articles that answer readers' questions and engage them, as this helps with both user trust and search rankings.
  3. Be patient, as SEO results take time. It might take several months for your articles to gain traction in Google search, but consistency in posting can lead to more visibility and domain authority.

European VCs and backed CEOs, what happened to your content strategy?

Venture Prose • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 14
💼 Business Venture Capital CEOs Content Strategy Investors
  1. Communication is key for VCs and CEOs. Share culture, strategy, and expectations to be understood.
  2. Sharing real experiences and lessons is valuable. Provide unique insights beyond mainstream information.
  3. Sharing knowledge and stories is beneficial for everyone. It contributes to better quality information and personal understanding.

What can help you with Twitter's growth? 🚀

Business & Marketing with Nika • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Social media Entrepreneurship Content Strategy
  1. Twitter Premium can be helpful for sharing longer posts and gaining some credibility with the blue checkmark. These features make it easier to connect with others on the platform.
  2. Engaging with others through discussions, quickly replying to comments, and being active can help grow your follower base on Twitter. Participating in Twitter Spaces is also a great way to connect with people.
  3. Despite some issues with reach lately, the connections made on Twitter can be very valuable. Building a strong presence and community is often more important than just the number of followers.