The hottest Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Downstream Problems

The Breaking Point • 199 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing Leadership Decision-making Growth
  1. Focus on solving the root problem, not just the surface issues. Fixing the wrong thing will only lead to more problems.
  2. Quality leads are crucial for a successful sales process. Even a flawed process can succeed if the leads are strong and motivated.
  3. Looking upstream for solutions can help fix multiple problems at once. If you improve one area, other issues may also resolve.

How do we measure whether China's economy is "ahead" of America's?

Noahpinion • 20059 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
💰 Finance Economics Trade GDP Currency Growth
  1. There are different ways to measure the size of economies, like using nominal GDP or purchasing power parity (PPP). Depending on the method, we can get very different perspectives on whether China's economy is ahead of America's.
  2. The exchange rate can change the perception of an economy's size, especially if a country's currency is weak. If China's yuan strengthens, it could suddenly appear larger than the U.S. economy in nominal terms.
  3. When comparing economies, it's important to consider local prices and living standards. For a more accurate view of how people live and what they can afford, using PPP is crucial despite its complexity and potential inaccuracies.

You should be vibecoding for GTM

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 820 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Growth Technology Innovation
  1. Using AI coding tools can really speed up the process of building marketing tools. Even if you aren't a coder, you can create useful apps in just a couple of hours.
  2. Vibecoding allows you to bypass relying on developers for basic tools, giving you the power to manage your go-to-market strategies independently. This can save both time and money.
  3. You can create engaging and interactive tools, like an ROI calculator, that can enhance your sales efforts and make a better impression on potential clients.

Top Links 641 The UK's trade deficit with the US. Low-income growth in the USA. How electrification stalled. "M: son of the century" and "The new us".

Chartbook • 314 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💰 Finance Trade Economics Deficits Income Growth
  1. The UK has a unique trade relationship where it imports more from the US than it exports, leading to a trade deficit. This is unusual for a developed country.
  2. Low-income growth in the USA is a significant issue, highlighting economic challenges faced by many. It's affecting overall prosperity and living standards.
  3. Electrification efforts have hit a roadblock, indicating that progress in energy transition is not happening as fast as needed. This could impact future sustainability initiatives.

When should you cross-sell?

Startup Real Talk • 291 implied HN points • 21 May 25
💼 Business Marketing Sales Growth Strategies Finance
  1. Don't rush to cross-sell. In the beginning, most customers may not buy extra products from you, so it's better to focus on growing your customer base first.
  2. Avoid getting distracted by cross-selling. Stick to what you do best to keep your business moving forward.
  3. Wait until your customer count is larger before cross-selling. The more customers you have, the better the chances of successfully selling additional products.
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Founder Mode👨‍💼, The Extinction of VC💀, How to Build More Pipeline🚀

The VC Corner • 259 implied HN points • 15 Sep 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Funding Sales Growth
  1. The current landscape for venture capital is changing, and there are risks that could impact its future. It's important for founders to understand these shifts.
  2. Founders can take control of their growth strategies by focusing on building a solid sales pipeline. This can help them succeed even in uncertain times.
  3. Adapting to new growth approaches is necessary for SaaS businesses. Finding fresh methods can lead to sustained success and relevance.

Why You Shouldn't Worry about AI Taking Jobs

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 3291 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Labor Economy Growth Regulation
  1. Many jobs we have today are not really necessary and could be replaced by AI. This is because some jobs exist due to government rules or old systems that don't make much sense anymore.
  2. People generally prefer human interaction over machines, especially in industries like hospitality, art, and healthcare. Humans provide a unique value that machines can't replicate, making these jobs safer from replacement.
  3. Even if AI takes many jobs, our economy is expected to grow significantly, which can help support those out of work through wealth redistribution. Governments have the ability to provide for everyone, even if many people end up jobless.

The Substack app is now the most powerful growth machine for creators

Substack • 1455 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Apps Growth Media Social Content
  1. The Substack app is growing quickly and is now the top way for creators to gain subscribers. This means more people are discovering and enjoying their work.
  2. The app combines features from social media with long-form content, making it easier for readers to connect with creators. Users can interact, share, and explore new voices all in one place.
  3. Creators have full ownership of their content and subscriber lists, which gives them more control. Unlike other platforms, the app focuses on meaningful connections between creators and their audience.

How Duolingo reignited user growth

Lenny's Newsletter • 9571 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Tech Marketing Growth Product Leadership
  1. Duolingo achieved 4.5x user growth over four years through innovative strategies like leaderboards and push notifications.
  2. Their focus on improving retention over new user acquisition led to significant improvements in engagement metrics.
  3. Using data and models, like Zynga and MyFitnessPal did, helped Duolingo identify North Star metrics and drive growth effectively.

Newsletters we read to stay smarter than the competition

CommandBlogue • 139 implied HN points • 04 Sep 24
💼 Business Startups Growth Innovation Marketing Entrepreneurship
  1. Staying updated with newsletters is super important for personal and professional growth. They help you learn quickly and efficiently in a fast-changing world.
  2. Some recommended newsletters focus on tech, product growth, and honest startup experiences. They provide unique insights and practical advice that can really help new teams and startups.
  3. Reading newsletters can keep you motivated and optimistic about the tech industry. It’s a great way to stay informed and inspired by successful stories and strategies.

✨ 📈 The AI Paradox: When will artificial intelligence boost US economic growth?

Faster, Please! • 913 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Artificial Intelligence Productivity Innovation Growth
  1. Alan Greenspan raised questions about why technological advances in the 1990s didn't seem to improve productivity statistics. He suggested that it might take time for new technologies to show their full effects.
  2. Greenspan believed that traditional methods of measuring productivity might not capture the real progress happening, especially with services. This mismeasurement could lead to bad decisions on economic policies.
  3. The role of artificial intelligence in boosting productivity is still uncertain. There's hope that AI can help workers produce more, but it's unclear when we will see these benefits reflected in economic growth.

The Startup Pricing Journey 💸

The VC Corner • 439 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
💼 Business Startup Pricing Monetization Market Strategy Growth
  1. Pricing is super important for startups because it affects how customers see your product and can help grow your business.
  2. In the beginning, startups need to choose a pricing strategy that can change and adapt as they learn more about the market.
  3. A good pricing strategy helps with attracting and keeping customers, while a bad one can lead to problems for the startup.

Arm's 2025 Q3 Financial Results

More Than Moore • 46 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance Revenue Licensing Growth Market Trends
  1. Arm's recent financial results show a big increase in revenue, largely thanks to the growing demand for AI and new technology. They set records in both total and royalty revenues this quarter.
  2. The company is heavily investing in research and development, increasing their spending and hiring more engineers to stay competitive. This is helping them innovate and improve their products.
  3. Arm faces competition from other chip designers and ecosystems like RISC-V, so they must navigate these challenges carefully to maintain their market share and continue growing.

What the East African Plains Ape Anthology Intelligence Has Managed to Do, with Respect to the Economy

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 253 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics Society Growth Institutions Transition
  1. Human society has evolved from slow, agricultural growth to rapid industrial progress, but we still struggle with managing this change effectively.
  2. The historical shift from cooperation to domination in societies has created challenges in creating systems that benefit everyone today.
  3. We have the potential for great prosperity, but we need better institutions to help us use our resources wisely and live well.

9 tactics to get your first 50 SaaS customers in 2025

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business SaaS Marketing Sales Growth Strategy
  1. Networking can help you find your first SaaS customers. Reach out to people you know for introductions and referrals.
  2. Creating comparison and alternative pages on your website can attract customers in crowded markets. Show how your product stacks up against competitors.
  3. Understanding customer feedback is crucial. Ask customers how they heard about you and track why deals were lost to improve your sales process.

From 0 to 1,000 Subscribers with Free Recommendations

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1318 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Marketing Growth Entrepreneurship Online Platforms 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.

📈 How Tracksuit built a B2B brand valued at $142.9 million AUD to take the brand tracking world by by becoming champions of brand building with tracksuits, drinks and case studies 🧢

the case for brand 💼 • 72 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Branding B2B Growth Strategy
  1. Tracksuit is changing the B2B game by making brand tracking easier and more affordable for businesses. They offer a fun and approachable way to connect brands with their customers.
  2. Their brand strategy focuses on building a supportive community for marketers, making them feel less alone in their roles. They do this through friendly events and a casual, relatable style.
  3. Tracksuit shows that B2B marketing can be exciting! By mixing in real-life events and a more relaxed atmosphere, they make brand tracking engaging and meaningful.

How to build the perfect pitch deck: a step by step guide with examples and an analysis of my Airbnb's deck

The VC Corner • 419 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Fundraising Pitching Growth Entrepreneurship
  1. A pitch deck is a short presentation that startup founders use to attract investors. It's essential to communicate your business idea clearly and make it appealing.
  2. Investors often have limited time to review pitch decks, so it's important to make your slides simple and direct. Help them easily understand your business and its value.
  3. Including a strong story in your pitch deck is crucial. Outline your business's problem, solution, and unique value in a way that resonates with investors.

⏩ Trump’s 3% growth challenge

Faster, Please! • 274 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Growth Policy Regulations Finance
  1. Scott Bessent wants to boost the economy by achieving a 3% growth rate, reducing the federal budget deficit, and increasing oil production. This approach is part of a bigger plan for economic improvement.
  2. Historically, the US economy grew at over 3% after World War II, but recent growth has been slower. Bessent’s goal is to restore that higher growth rate.
  3. The challenge for Bessent and Trump is that the current US GDP growth has been a full point less than the historical average this century.

👑 Everything you need to know about valuation

Compounding Quality • 2614 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💰 Finance Valuation Investing Stocks Growth Earnings
  1. In the short term, stock prices are driven by fluctuations in valuation, while in the long term, they follow the intrinsic value of a company.
  2. When investing, it's crucial to buy stocks at a discount to their true worth to avoid poor results.
  3. Consider factors like Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) and expected growth when evaluating the value of a company to make informed investment decisions.

Comparing the Financials of Databricks and Snowflake

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance Technology Startups Growth Investments
  1. Databricks is growing faster than Snowflake, with a revenue growth rate of 57% compared to Snowflake's 27%. However, Snowflake remains more profitable at this point.
  2. Databricks is currently valued higher than Snowflake due to its strong growth potential and better positioning in the AI market. This could lead to a significant payoff for them in the long run.
  3. Snowflake and Databricks have different business strategies, with Snowflake focusing on profitability and Databricks investing heavily in growth and product development, especially in AI technologies.

Happy Yule

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Community Celebrations Traditions Psychology Growth
  1. New Year celebrations bring people together, helping them connect and feel a sense of community and belonging.
  2. These festivities encourage us to think about the past year, reflect on what we've learned, and set goals for the future.
  3. Different cultures have unique traditions for the New Year, which help preserve their heritage and give people a sense of identity and continuity.

Moving beyond founder-led sales

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 425 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Sales Marketing Startups Growth Revenue
  1. Warmly grew from zero to $700k ARR in 2023 by using a founder-led sales approach, where the co-founder took a hands-on role in closing sales.
  2. By shifting to a more structured and scalable sales process, Warmly was able to triple their revenue plan for 2024 and build a diverse sales team with various roles.
  3. They experimented with different marketing channels, including partnerships and paid ads, which helped them expand their customer base while learning which strategies were most effective.

What I learned from tracking 443 SaaS pricing pages

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 907 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business SaaS Pricing Marketing Growth Strategy
  1. Many SaaS companies are raising their prices. In 2024, about 42% of them made adjustments, with an average increase of 20%.
  2. Some companies are adding or removing plans to better meet customer needs. Others are being more strategic with their pricing pages to attract larger clients.
  3. Pricing strategies are evolving, with some companies using discounts to gain new customers while others maintain strict pricing models to target premium segments.

DO TOO MUCH

Rational in the Fullness of Time • 312 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
💼 Business Leadership Entrepreneurship Management Innovation Growth
  1. Leaders need to go above and beyond in their efforts. Doing more can inspire others to care and work harder too.
  2. When achieving goals, over-communication and quick reactions can be more effective than waiting and planning too much.
  3. To create something meaningful, embrace the idea of doing too much. It's a part of pushing boundaries and achieving great things.

First do it, then do it right, then do it better.

Elevate • 1153 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Motivation Personal Development Growth Entrepreneurship Self-Improvement
  1. Just start somewhere - Begin with a simple step to kick off the journey towards success
  2. The Power of Starting - Taking the first step energizes and motivates us, leading to progress and eventual success
  3. First, Do It, Do It Right, Do It Better - Embrace the MVP mindset, refine and correct, and strive for continuous improvement on your journey

There's a whole lot of ugly out there when it comes to growth teams.

Elena's Growth Scoop • 904 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing Management Growth Finance Leadership
  1. The growth teams face systematic failures in the industry due to various issues like unclear growth fundamentals and bad strategic decisions from executives.
  2. Symptoms of a bad growth team include not focusing on monetization, neglecting retention, and obsessing over 'hacks' instead of building sustainable growth engines.
  3. To build a successful growth team, companies need to prioritize monetization, retention, and data-driven decision-making, and ensure alignment between departments for optimal results.

The Renaissance of Media

Growth Croissant • 963 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Growth Monetization Team Management
  1. Building a media business as an individual is challenging and requires hard work and consistency.
  2. As a media business grows, managing growth, monetization, and tech can become distracting from the core creative efforts.
  3. To bridge the resource gap between large media companies and individual creators, providing hands-on support for tech and growth can be beneficial.

Our first try at PLG nearly failed. Here's what we did next.

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 354 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Sales Product Growth
  1. The team turned around low activation and conversion rates by improving their onboarding process. They made it easier for users to get started and better understood how to use the product.
  2. They used data from user feedback and behavior to identify problem areas in their product. This helped them find ways to create a smoother experience for users.
  3. By adding gentle reminders and prompts in their product, they encouraged free users to explore paid options. This strategy increased their free-to-paid conversion rate significantly.

Your guide to the 2024 SaaS benchmarks

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 504 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business SaaS Startups AI Growth Metrics
  1. 2024 sees stabilization in SaaS growth rates, with early stages performing better while larger companies struggle. Smaller startups are showing stronger growth despite an overall slowdown.
  2. Early stage SaaS and AI companies are thriving, significantly increasing growth rates and maintaining lean teams. They are using automation and smart hiring to succeed.
  3. There's a shift in pricing models for AI products, with many still using traditional subscription models but a growing number exploring usage-based and outcome-based pricing. It's a sign of changing market demands.

ServiceTitan S-1 Breakdown

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance SaaS IPO Growth Technology
  1. ServiceTitan is a software company that helps tradespeople like plumbers and electricians run their businesses better. They provide tools for managing customer relationships and service workflows.
  2. The company has been growing quickly, with a revenue increase of 24% in the last year. They make money from subscriptions, payment processing fees, and professional services.
  3. ServiceTitan is preparing for an IPO and plans to manage investor concerns about profitability. They have strategies in place to handle potential valuation drops and minimize shareholder dilution.