The hottest Digital marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

💬 Dom Wells: Lessons on how to acquire a digital business

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 59 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. When buying a digital business, you need to be careful of scammers. Always verify financial information and ensure the business is truly what it claims to be.
  2. Focus on finding good businesses rather than thinking you can easily flip a struggling one. It's better to invest in a solid company with growth potential.
  3. Successful digital business owners are curious, adaptable, and able to learn on the job. It's important to be able to delegate tasks and stay committed to the process.

Selling followers where the skies are blue

Conspirador Norteño • 56 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. There are fake follower selling services popping up on social media platforms like Bluesky. These services exploit the platform's growth by creating fake accounts to sell followers, likes, and shares.
  2. A large number of fake accounts have been created quickly and they often share similar biographies, usually in Portuguese. This suggests they are not real users, but rather automated bots.
  3. Buying followers is not a good idea. Most accounts gained through these services have little to no genuine followers and their involvement can harm your social media presence.

You Can Earn More Money with Evergreen Content in 2023

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 99 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Evergreen content stays relevant over time, unlike seasonal content which loses interest quickly. Creating this type of content means people will always find value in it, which is great for growth.
  2. Writing evergreen articles can lead to more earnings because platforms like Medium will promote this content more. This means you could see more traffic and revenue in the long run.
  3. Focusing on your expertise and crafting in-depth stories can help you create evergreen content. Once it gets recognized, it can keep bringing in readers and income for a long time.

Don’t Sell Your Indie Business to Digital Ocean!

wentin’s newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Be cautious about selling your indie business to Digital Ocean as they may jeopardize the original content and brand identity.
  2. Digital Ocean's acquisition of blogs like Scotch.io and CSS Tricks has led to the removal of original content and broken redirects.
  3. Content creators are advised to be skeptical of selling their businesses to Digital Ocean to preserve their work and reputation.
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✅ In praise of the press release

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Press releases have been around for over 100 years and are still used because they are familiar to everyone involved, making them easy to understand and distribute.
  2. Even though there are many new ways to communicate, organizations keep using press releases because they serve multiple purposes and are required in some legal contexts.
  3. Modern approaches are being added to the traditional press release format, like incorporating social media elements, but the core importance of press releases in communication remains unchanged.

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

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 34 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  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.

Who Killed Twitter 1.0?

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Twitter struggled to grow because of poor leadership and weak management. Instead of making smart business decisions, they ended up being an easy target for a takeover.
  2. The company failed to innovate and improve, leading to stagnant stock prices. While other tech companies thrived, Twitter's management kept hiring without making meaningful changes.
  3. Even after Musk's takeover, Twitter faces challenges because it still hasn't solved its underlying issues. Competing platforms are emerging, creating a real threat to its future.

✅ The GPT-3 marketing and public relations practitioner

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. AI tools like GPT-3 can help with content creation, but you must fact-check the information they give you. Sometimes they can mix reality with fiction.
  2. GPT-3 can quickly summarize text and analyze topics, which is helpful for tasks in public relations and marketing. This makes work faster and easier.
  3. However, there's a risk of spreading misinformation if we rely too much on these tools. It's important to be careful and ensure content is accurate.

Substack’s “Your Note Made You $” Notification Is the Best New Feature

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1 HN point • 28 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Substack now has a cool feature that shows how much money a post made. This helps writers see the direct impact of their work on earnings.
  2. Using Substack's Notes can really help writers grow their audience quickly. Many are seeing big boosts in their subscriber numbers by engaging more on this platform.
  3. It's important to focus on building genuine connections and community through Notes. This can lead to more engaged subscribers, even if they don't interact with every post.

SEO & UX: Search Engine Optimization Best Practices

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  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.

✅ Media pitching is harder than ever

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
💼 Business Digital marketing
  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.

TikTok’s Hidden Playbook: Why Short Video Is Eating the World (Again)

Divinations • 18 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. TikTok is more than just a social app; it's changing how we interact with content and brands. It's not just about watching videos; it's about building connections and trust with creators.
  2. Short-form video content is reshaping how we seek information and shop online. Many younger people now prefer TikTok for product searches over traditional sites like Google.
  3. TikTok encourages creativity and collaboration among users. Its features let people remix each other's content, making it a fun community where everyone can participate and contribute.

Spam in the firehose, part II

Conspirador Norteño • 20 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. A large network of spam accounts has been created on the platform Bluesky, with over 15,000 accounts active. These accounts often have similar or identical profile photos and biographies.
  2. The most common biographies used by these spam accounts are repetitive and lack originality. Many accounts use phrases like 'passionate about exploring innovative ideas' interchangeably.
  3. These spam accounts mostly repost content from varied accounts but don’t create original posts themselves. There is also a suspicious account promoting social media services that seems linked to this spam network.

✅ Monday briefing: Wadds Inc. 2.0, planning tool for creative agencies, local democracy boost, govt blames comms, dodgy digital data, PR and management, Twitter deal, charger standard, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 22
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Wadds Inc. is relaunching as a family business to focus on supporting their family and community-based projects. This new approach aims to create a more regenerative business model.
  2. A new strategic planning tool for creative agencies has been introduced, helping them navigate important issues over the next eighteen months using a detailed framework.
  3. The European Union is enforcing a standard charger requirement, meaning all devices will need to use USB-C connectors by 2024, which will impact companies like Apple.

Google deepens AI integration across operations

philsiarri • 22 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Google is using a lot of AI in its work, with over a quarter of new code created by AI and checked by engineers. This shows how much they're relying on technology to improve their services.
  2. The company's earnings are strong, with significant revenue from both Google Services and Google Cloud. AI features are helping to boost sales and attract new customers.
  3. Google's new AI tools are changing how people search online and are driving more ad revenue on platforms like YouTube, which is now making over $50 billion from ads and subscriptions.

How Sort Made It to the Front Page of Product Hunt

Database Engineering by Sort • 15 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Preparation is key for a successful launch. It helps to choose the right day and have a strong online presence ready.
  2. Engaging with your community can make a big difference. Personal messages and social media can help gather support and votes.
  3. A clear value proposition shows how your product solves real problems. Highlighting what makes your product unique is important for attracting attention.

Multilevel marketing mayhem

Conspirador Norteño • 44 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Be cautious of 'online businesses' that prompt you to set up websites with identical language and testimonials, often part of multilevel marketing schemes.
  2. Identical sales pitches on multiple websites can be easily found through internet searches, revealing potential interconnectedness.
  3. Participating in these schemes may lead to continuous spam emails, financial losses, and the risk of personal information being compromised.

Marketing mostly sucks

Turnaround • 79 implied HN points • 10 Feb 20
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Marketing can be challenging but doesn't have to suck if done right.
  2. Traditional marketing concepts like the 4Ps are evolving to the 4Cs, emphasizing more consumer-centric approaches.
  3. Effective marketing requires informed and sensible marketers who understand consumer psychology and make strategic choices.

6/5/22: The Changing Influencer Economy in China & Meituan Update

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Tech platforms in China like Douyin and Kuaishou are facing shifts in influencer economy with Douyin showing growth and focus on integrating ecommerce into its platform.
  2. Meituan, a major player in food delivery, is navigating challenges due to COVID and aiming for ambitious goals like 100 million daily food delivery orders, emulating Amazon's operational model for efficiency.
  3. There's a trend of strategic cost-cutting at Meituan, freezing hiring and mimicking Amazon's business review processes and executive work culture.

Monday briefing #6: TikTok drama, LinkedIn earned media, antitrust, deepfake copy, debunking AI, creativity and reputation, a creative challenge, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 03 Aug 20
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Australia is trying to make Google and Facebook pay news companies for using their content. This could change how news is shared online.
  2. LinkedIn is being used for more than just networking; it's now also a place where people can share news and engage with journalists.
  3. Many young people are spending less time on social media and taking steps to protect their privacy online.

Monday briefing #5: A love letter to regional media, paid Twitter, PR foul play, bot catcher, women in PR research, community support, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 27 Jul 20
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Local media is really important for communities because it tells the stories that matter most. Investigative reporting helps uncover important issues.
  2. Social media platforms like Twitter are exploring subscription services to improve the quality of content. Paid services might help manage the issues related to misinformation.
  3. There is a growing focus on research in the PR industry, particularly regarding the experiences of women. This research could help shape a better future for the field.

How to market “marketing” internally

MKT1 Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Digital marketing
  1. Educating the rest of your company on marketing is crucial for success within a company's marketing team.
  2. Finding common ground with other teams, understanding target audience internally, and recognizing shared goals are key to effective internal marketing.
  3. Setting marketing goals and priorities, sharing them with the company, and establishing a process for handling ad hoc requests are essential for successful marketing outcomes within a company.

Let's buy some fake Chrome extension reviews

!important • 4 HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. The battle against fake reviews is ongoing, and platforms should introduce friction to deter these fraudulent practices.
  2. Users rely on authentic reviews to make informed decisions, emphasizing the importance of reliable review systems.
  3. To combat fake reviews, platforms can encourage real user feedback, automatically filter untrustworthy reviews, and provide transparency about the reviewers.

#18: The little Indian internet corner of database sellers

Pea Bee • 3 HN points • 28 May 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Data theft incidents in India involved large-scale theft of data from major companies like Facebook, Amazon, Big Basket, and others.
  2. Social media marketing experts in India were found selling personal user data of millions of Indians through Google Drive links.
  3. There is a widespread network of individuals reselling databases in India, with concerns about the security and confidentiality of personal information.

Hosting Content on Facebook is about Ad Tracking

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 25 Mar 15
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Facebook's decision to host news sites' content revolves around ad tracking, offering advertisers a more optimized experience across their network.
  2. The shift in news consumption towards bundled content rather than destination sites is impacting the digital advertising market.
  3. As Facebook expands its network, advertisers benefit from being able to track consumers and ensure a cohesive advertising experience, potentially leading to increased ad revenue.

The Journey of Bodybuilding.com to Black Box VR: Revolutionizing Fitness with Ryan Deluca

The Healthtech Initiative • 0 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Ryan Deluca's journey from starting a business selling creatine to embracing digital marketing techniques and building Bodybuilding.com showcases the power of innovative thinking and entrepreneurship.
  2. Bodybuilding.com's success was attributed to a focus on transparent content marketing, community engagement through forums, and personalization with exercise guides and supplement reviews.
  3. Transitioning from Bodybuilding.com to Black Box VR, Ryan Deluca emphasizes the importance of innovation, creating unique products, and integrating new technologies like virtual reality to revolutionize the fitness industry.

All the things websites make you think about

Mehdeeka • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. Consider how much of the website you need to manage on your own to choose the right tech stack.
  2. Get input from various teams and plan for future functionalities and integrations in your website.
  3. Prioritize security and tracking measures like GDPR and analytics tools when building your website.

brb

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 15
🕹 Technology Digital marketing
  1. In today's always-connected world, there's a decline in using offline sign-offs like 'brb'
  2. Facebook Messenger is striving to dominate the internet by investing in extensive development
  3. In-flight safety videos have become viral marketing tools, creating a trend online