The hottest Digital Strategy Substack posts right now

New owners refocused the brand on serving political operatives and rebuilt its digital and events businesses instead of trying to be a generalist politics outlet.
They killed the print edition to force the team to focus on scalable growth verticals. That "burn the lifeboats" move created pressure and a laser-like focus to transform the business.
They rebuilt and monetized events by resisting discounts and raising prices, then expanded into new markets and acquired other tightly regulated B2B outlets to scale into a media empire.

The Creator Economy is changing fast, with ads from creators expected to beat traditional media revenue soon. This means that creator-made content could start to look just like what we're used to from big media companies.
There's a new trend in entertainment called microdramas, which are short, quick stories told in one-minute parts. They seem like silly fun, but they're drawing in big audiences and money.
Publishers need to stop relying so much on Google for traffic because it's steadily decreasing. It's time for them to focus on building loyal audiences instead of chasing search engine rankings.

Medium's Boost Program helps writers get more views and earnings by promoting their stories to a wider audience.
There are over 60 Boost Nominators on Medium who help select great stories to get a Boost.
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.

Taste is subjective, and brands need to define what good taste means for them. It's about creating a feeling and reasserting that what they're offering is the new cool.
Ragebait marketing works by creating spectacles, but it often leads to inaction from consumers. Brands may gain attention, but this approach can be unsustainable and unreliable for real engagement.
Nostalgia marketing can be powerful, but brands need to balance it with present relevance. Relying too much on the past can prevent brands from evolving and connecting with current audiences.

Alex Cooper is not just about hosting a popular podcast; she wants to build a whole media empire. Her ambition shows that success goes beyond just one project.
The Boston Globe has successfully increased its digital revenue by having both free and paywalled content. This approach helps attract a wider audience while also generating income.
Bloomberg Media is trying to keep its subscribers happy by launching a Weekend Edition. This shows how important it is for media companies to find new ways to engage their audience and reduce churn.

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Being mentioned by AI is now really important for brands. If your content isn't cited by AI, it's like being buried on page 5 of search results.
To get AI to mention your content, it’s essential to write clearly and comprehensively. Organizing your information well helps both AI and human readers.
It's necessary to adapt how we measure success in marketing. Instead of just counting clicks, we should track how often we're mentioned in AI-generated answers.

The book 'Influencer Bootcamp' teaches how to use viral strategies for better messaging and marketing. It can help boost visibility and engagement.
The author shares personal success stories of growing their newsletter and social media presence significantly in just one year.
Learning to create engaging content can dramatically increase your audience size and interaction online.

TikTok is facing potential bans as the US Supreme Court considers a case about it. Companies are trying to find ways to keep users engaged despite the uncertainty.
ChatGPT has launched a hotline, allowing people to interact with AI in new ways, which could change customer service and support.
Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are updating their features to help marketers better reach their audiences, including new ad tools and insights.

To make your Instagram Reel go viral, focus on increasing the number of views. Keep your videos short and create a sense of curiosity that makes people want to watch again.
Retention time is important too. Hold your viewers' attention by building tension in your video and revealing the main point at the end.
Experiment with different ideas and learn from successful Reels. Being witty and creative can help your content stand out.

The 'Build Back Better' plan aims to promote economic growth by investing in infrastructure and skills. It's important for anyone looking to create investment strategies.
There is a focus on combating misinformation related to climate change, especially leading up to important conferences like COP26. It shows how vital accurate information is for tackling big issues.
Social media is growing, with more users in the UK than ever before. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp remain very popular among adults.