The hottest Marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

An Ugly New Marketing Strategy Is Driving Me Nuts (and You Too)

The Honest Broker • 30453 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Consumer behavior Digital Platforms Economics
  1. A new marketing trend encourages companies to annoy customers instead of trying to sell to them. This strategy makes people want to pay for premium services just to escape the annoying ads.
  2. Digital platforms now focus on grabbing user attention through irritating tactics. This creates an 'Annoyance Economy' where companies prioritize engagement over good customer experience.
  3. Customers are getting fed up with these annoying practices, and some are even choosing to walk away from brands altogether. Companies that ignore this feedback risk losing their customers in the long run.

Why We Make the Exeter Hammer

The American Peasant • 2715 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Product Development Entrepreneurship Manufacturing Marketing Sales
  1. The Exeter Hammer was developed over three years to create a lightweight, balanced tool ideal for furniture makers. It combines good design and functionality to improve woodworking tasks.
  2. The hammer's design process involved scrapping an earlier project that felt too similar to common hammers on the market. This led to creating a unique hammer that meets specific needs of woodworkers.
  3. The first 400 hammers sold quickly, showing a strong demand and approval from users. This success suggests that thoughtful design can resonate well with the target audience.

Earlywood: Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It

The American Peasant • 2555 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Networking Marketing Finance Self-employment
  1. Keep your day job until you are financially secure. It’s smart to build your business while you still have a steady income.
  2. Network with other creative people. Making friends in your field can lead to new opportunities and support when you need it.
  3. Learn a bit of everything. Knowing skills like photography and website design can save you money and help your business thrive.

What is next for collaborations?

The Sociology of Business • 737 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Branding Collaborations Consumer behavior
  1. Brands are now combining different areas like food, art, and fashion to create unique experiences for customers. This helps them stand out and attract more attention.
  2. Collaborations allow brands to show their taste and connect with customers in a deeper way, almost like building a community around their identity.
  3. Creative directors play an important role in making brands culturally relevant by exploring new collaborations outside their core market, which helps them grow and stay appealing.

How three Morning Brew alums are building their own network of niche media outlets

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Startups Marketing Finance
  1. Three former Morning Brew employees started Smooth Media to build a network of niche media outlets. They're focused on unique topics that cater to specific audiences.
  2. They applied what they learned at Morning Brew, expanding into new media formats like podcasts and online content, showing how versatile and scalable media can be.
  3. Their current projects include collaborations with popular creators and the acquisition of established brands, highlighting their ambitious growth plans.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Ads Are Coming to AI and None of Us Are Ready

Big Technology • 5379 implied HN points • 30 May 25
💼 Business Advertising Marketing Technology Economy AI
  1. Generative AI advertising has huge potential but also carries big risks. It could change how brands interact with consumers and what they promise.
  2. Advertising needs to be transparent and beneficial for users to keep their trust. If done poorly, it can ruin the user experience on platforms.
  3. Quality content and trusted publishers are vital for generative AI. They should be valued more to ensure that AI systems provide accurate and relevant information.

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.

What Hotelier Ari Heckman thinks about building brand worlds IRL

the case for brand 💼 • 137 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Hospitality Branding Entrepreneurship Design Marketing
  1. Ari Heckman focuses on creating unique brand worlds for his hotel projects, blending art and commerce. This approach helps make each hotel feel special and connected to the local culture.
  2. He emphasizes the importance of being involved in both the creative and operational sides of business. Balancing creative ideas with sound business practices can lead to better results.
  3. The idea of evolving beyond just being a hotel brand is key for Ash. They want to be seen as a lifestyle brand, offering more than just lodging, like products and experiences that connect with their brand story.

How Onlyfans Took Over The World

Knowingless • 7901 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
💼 Business Online Platforms E-commerce Marketing Consumer behavior Sex work
  1. OnlyFans changed the way adult entertainment works by creating a sense of individual connection between creators and fans. This makes users feel like they're having a personal experience, even when there are a lot of other guys involved.
  2. The platform allows creators to reach a wider audience without much advertising support. Instead, users have to market themselves, which leads to a huge increase in the number of ads for OnlyFans across the internet.
  3. Agencies have become a big part of OnlyFans, managing content and interactions for creators. They help maximize profits by taking care of marketing and customer interactions, letting creators focus on content.

The age of SUPERCONTENT

The Sociology of Business • 957 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Branding Content creation Digital Media Consumer behavior
  1. Brands are becoming content creators to engage a wider audience, not just their customers. They create fun and informative content to attract fans and observers.
  2. Today's successful content is often found in show business style, blending storytelling and entertainment across various platforms. This means brands are constantly producing engaging material that keeps their audience interested.
  3. Content is vital for a brand's success, often affecting how products are viewed and sold. Good content can help a brand stand out and become more discoverable, especially in a crowded market.

Fred Smith Built a Great American Company. What Made Him Tick?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 524 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Logistics E-commerce Management Marketing
  1. Fred Smith came up with the idea for FedEx while at Yale, despite not doing well in school. He didn't let that grade stop him from building a huge company.
  2. FedEx changed how people expect deliveries with its promise of overnight shipping. Smith had to navigate many rules to make this vision a reality.
  3. As the internet grew, Smith adapted by expanding into ground shipping, helping FedEx stay strong against competitors like UPS and Amazon.

What happened in brand and agency: WPP struggles, Instagram & AdTech vs Sensitive Content and Fashion Week

The Social Juice • 22 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Branding Economics Trends
  1. WPP is facing tough challenges, highlighting the pressures in the advertising industry. This might mean changes for many companies and advertisers in how they operate.
  2. Instagram recently dealt with backlash over graphic content on its platform. This shows the ongoing struggle between user experience and ad tech, as brands seek engagement without alienating users.
  3. Building a strong community around a brand is key. Companies should nurture their audiences, allowing them to engage and share value, making the community feel connected to the brand itself.

Vote for the June 2025 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Advertising Marketing History Media Consumer
  1. The past ads are getting a second chance to be voted on. This allows subscribers to revisit old favorites and choose which should be featured.
  2. A voting poll will run for just three days. It's a quick opportunity for fans to share their opinions on the topics.
  3. There's a trial offer for new subscribers to access posts for free for a week. This can help more people discover and enjoy the content.

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.

The Profile: The Spanx billionaire’s new invention & the DNA testing company running out of options

The Profile • 356 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Innovation Marketing Consumer Trends Corporate strategy
  1. Telling stories from unexpected perspectives can make them more interesting. For example, focusing on a gravedigger during a famous event reveals a unique viewpoint.
  2. Sara Blakely created a new shoe that mixes style and comfort, but it has received mixed reactions. She sees this as a sign of innovation, even if some people think it's odd.
  3. 23andMe, a DNA testing company, is facing big challenges after a data breach and struggles to make a profit. Their future is uncertain as they try to stay relevant in the market.

Brands, ads, and video games

SuperJoost Playlist • 416 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Branding Gaming Media
  1. Brands are realizing that video games offer a better way to connect with younger audiences compared to traditional media like TV and magazines. This shift is important for capturing the attention of the next generation.
  2. There is a growing trend for brands to work directly with gaming companies to create engaging and immersive experiences. However, many brands still struggle to commit to long-term strategies instead of just one-time campaigns.
  3. As user acquisition costs rise, game developers are looking for new ways to make money, leading them to collaborate more with brands. This partnership is changing how audiences experience both gaming and advertising.

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 Media Streaming Content creation Marketing Monetization
  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.

Introducing Substack Study Hall: Advice from top creators on getting started, going paid, and more

Substack • 1043 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Social media Subscription Models
  1. Being consistent is more important than being perfect. Just share your thoughts regularly, and you'll connect with your community better than waiting for everything to be flawless.
  2. When you start charging for your content, keep it simple. You don’t need to overwhelm people with perks; focus on delivering one valuable thing that you can promise consistently.
  3. Using social media is a great way to show a bit of your content and invite people to check out your main platform. Share interesting snippets to draw them in instead of just posting links.

Opp Consulting is a Scam

startupdreams • 105 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💼 Business Consulting Scams Marketing Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. Opp Consulting promised qualified leads and guaranteed meetings but failed to deliver. Instead, they sent mass emails that damaged the company's reputation.
  2. The consulting service charged a lot of money but did not follow through on their commitments. After 90 days, not a single meeting was scheduled.
  3. If you're considering using Opp Consulting, it's best to stay away to avoid wasting your resources. They have been labeled a scam based on this experience.

Hype Is Not A Data Strategy

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 365 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
💼 Business Data Strategy Marketing Tech Trends Data science
  1. Hype around data and AI can distract companies from their real goals. It's important to focus on what data can actually do for your business, instead of getting lost in the trend.
  2. Most businesses don't rely on data as their main product. Even if data can improve their operations, it’s not their primary focus, so the challenge is making data truly useful.
  3. Companies often look up to big tech for data strategies, but they have different resources. Chasing after their methods without understanding your own needs can lead to a misguided strategy.

Unsexy Things That Are Surprisingly Great

Total Rec • 9286 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty Clothing Marketing Skincare Lifestyle
  1. Finding value in unsexy products can lead to surprisingly great discoveries, separating genuine quality from flashy marketing gimmicks.
  2. Shopping for uncool items allows you to prioritize personal preferences over brand influence, leading to a more fulfilling shopping experience.
  3. Embracing unsexy brands helps in appreciating products for their true value and reduces the chase for novelty, fostering contentment and a more thoughtful consumption approach.

Perceived Value

The Breaking Point • 279 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing Customer Service Branding Product Development
  1. Value is based on how the buyer sees it. For example, ice cubes can be very valuable on a hot day, but not so much on a cold one.
  2. Customers often find high value in features that are easy to create, rather than the complex ones. A simple 'Export to Powerpoint' function ended up being super useful for many users.
  3. Sometimes, the reasons customers buy a product aren’t just about how useful it is. They might buy it for the customer service, prestige, or other factors that might surprise you.

Under-the-hood of writing on Substack

Sustainability by numbers • 658 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Publishing Media Content creation
  1. Building an audience takes time, and almost no one starts with one. Consistently publishing interesting content helps attract more readers over time.
  2. You can potentially make money on platforms like Substack, but it often depends on how engaged your audience is. Even a small, dedicated group can lead to a good income.
  3. Long-form writing is valuable because it allows for deeper exploration of topics. There's always room for new voices, and sharing your insights helps improve public discussions.

How the Bud Light Debacle Predicted America's Corporate Vibe Shift

The Ruffian • 301 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing Branding Consumer behavior Corporate strategy Cultural Trends
  1. Bud Light faced a major backlash after a marketing campaign featuring a transgender celebrity, showing how quickly consumer sentiment can change. This backlash resulted in a significant loss of sales and brand trust.
  2. Unlike typical consumer boycotts, the impact on Bud Light endured even after the company attempted to distance itself from the controversy. This highlights the lasting effects that cultural issues can have on brands.
  3. The Bud Light incident reflects a larger trend in corporate America where companies need to be more aware of the cultural-political environment. Brands must navigate these changes carefully to maintain their audience and market position.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 36 - ciao Italia

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Marketing Sales Technology
  1. CitNOW started as a small company in the UK and grew by creating easy-to-use automotive apps. They found success by being the first to offer this kind of technology in their market.
  2. They learned the importance of focusing on their target market, which was the automotive industry. They decided to stop chasing opportunities outside this sector to stay true to their core business.
  3. When expanding internationally, they took careful steps after learning from past mistakes. They aimed to enter the Italian market by leveraging their successes and established relationships with companies like Volkswagen.

🎯 The Ultimate Pitch Deck Collection

The VC Corner • 739 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Investing Pitching Marketing
  1. A good pitch deck should include essential slides that clearly outline your business, like the problem you're solving and your market opportunity. This structure helps investors understand your idea quickly.
  2. Telling a compelling story around your startup's journey is crucial. It helps investors connect emotionally and see the value of what you're doing.
  3. Design matters a lot in a pitch deck. A clean and modern design can make your presentation look professional and helps communicate that you are serious about your business.

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.

GTM Foundation: How SaaS Founders grow from €0 to €1M ARR (Part 2)

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 51 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing Startup Sales Finance Strategy
  1. Building a Go-To-Market (GTM) foundation is essential for growing a SaaS company from zero to one million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This involves understanding your target market and developing proper strategies.
  2. GTM collaterals, like an effective homepage and sales deck, are vital tools for converting visitors into customers. They help communicate your value and guide potential buyers through their decision-making process.
  3. Choosing the right channels to reach your customers is crucial. Focus on a few primary channels first and gradually explore secondary options as you gain traction.

YouTube's last white whale

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 249 implied HN points • 30 May 25
💼 Business Media Publishing Marketing Content creation Advertising
  1. YouTube is growing stronger as more creators make high-quality scripted shows, competing with Hollywood. This shift shows that digital platforms can produce professional-level content and attract large audiences.
  2. Moving companies are now partnering with influencers to promote their services, which is a clever way to save money for both sides. It highlights the power of social media in marketing, even for unexpected industries.
  3. Local news organizations are debating whether to keep paywalls. One paper is trying to be open about its finances, showing that transparency might help them connect better with their audience.

Subscrive Drive 2025 + Free Unlocked Posts

Astral Codex Ten • 6400 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Subscriptions Finance Marketing Media Economics
  1. You can subscribe to Astral Codex Ten for paid access, which includes extra articles and special threads for subscribers. It's a chance to support the blog and get more content.
  2. The blog had strong subscriber growth at first but has seen a drop in recent years. The author encourages financial support but understands if people cannot afford it.
  3. Several subscriber-only posts offer unique insights, covering topics like historical figures and personal reflections. When you subscribe, you can access a lot of great content.

The Insufferable Bros Who Run Corporate America

BIG by Matt Stoller • 56953 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
💼 Business Monopolies Corporate culture Antitrust enforcement Pharmaceutical industry Marketing
  1. The pharmaceutical industry is heavily influenced by aggressive marketing campaigns targeted at doctors, controlled by corporations like IQVIA.
  2. IQVIA, a major player in the healthcare industry, is involved in a trial over a merger that could impact the future of advertising to healthcare professionals.
  3. The FTC alleges that IQVIA's acquisition of advertising firms like DeepIntent could lead to a monopolization of the healthcare provider advertising platform market.

Weekly Top Picks #97

The Algorithmic Bridge • 191 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Economy Marketing Software Innovation
  1. Google has released impressive AI models that are both high-quality and affordable. They are competing strongly in the AI space.
  2. OpenAI is developing new AI agents to assist programmers and sales teams, indicating a focus on practical business applications.
  3. Sam Altman highlighted that the intelligence in AI improves at a super-exponential rate, making its economic value increase rapidly.

What happened in marketing: Amazon dethrones Walmart, NikeSKIMS & Big Tech vs EU

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing E-commerce Advertising Retail Digital Media
  1. Amazon has now surpassed Walmart in quarterly revenue, making it a leader in sales with $187.8 billion. This is the first time Amazon has taken the top spot over Walmart.
  2. Nike has joined forces with SKIMS to launch a new brand aimed at women, which shows their effort to attract new customers and expand their market.
  3. Big Tech companies are facing challenges in Europe, as governments push for stricter regulations, impacting how these companies operate in the region.

You Shouldn't Start a Newsletter in 2024

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 3776 implied HN points • 24 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Digital Media Online business
  1. You don't need a big following to start a newsletter. You can grow your email list right from the beginning, and it's more valuable than just chasing followers.
  2. You can write about broad topics and narrow down later. Starting vague is okay, and you can figure out your niche as you go along.
  3. Having a small, engaged audience can be more profitable than a large one. Even with just a few subscribers, you can still earn good money if they truly care about your content.

The Fastest Way to Make Money with Your Newsletter in 2024 📧

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1878 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Digital Media Monetization
  1. Short newsletters are becoming more popular. People prefer quick reads over long articles.
  2. Atomic newsletters focus on one idea and are usually around 250 words. This makes it easier to create content and determine what your audience likes.
  3. To make money from newsletters, use methods like affiliate links or sponsorships. This can help you earn income without much extra effort.

When Personalization Feels Fake: Starbucks’ Cup Messages, AI, and the Quest for Genuine Connection

Gad’s Newsletter • 26 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing Customer Experience Branding Retail Consumer behavior
  1. Starbucks' new initiative to have baristas write messages on cups seemed nice but felt forced and scripted. Customers want genuine interactions, not corporate mandates.
  2. Personalization in marketing works best when it's real and meets customer expectations. If customers feel it's fake or too much, it can harm trust and satisfaction.
  3. AI can help personalize experiences, but it can also make customers uneasy if they feel their privacy is being invaded. The key is to balance tech use with genuine human connections.

Can we already grasp the rough outlines of these coming forms, capable of threatening the joys of marketing?

Internal exile • 78 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Consumerism Marketing Automation Society
  1. AI agents are being marketed as helpers that take care of tasks for us, but they might actually make our lives more complicated and alienate us from real experiences.
  2. The way AI is being portrayed in ads can show a future where human agency is diminished, with technology making decisions for us instead of us making our own choices.
  3. Convenience can lead to a loss of personal will and the ability to make decisions, making it seem easier to let machines dictate our lives rather than engage with them ourselves.

*Pro-Market and Pro-Business*: The Keith Knight Interview

Bet On It • 55 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
💼 Business Economics Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Business News
  1. Supporting market growth is important for businesses. It helps create jobs and increases the economy.
  2. Talking openly about ideas can lead to better understanding and discussions. It's good to share different perspectives.
  3. Meetups can help connect people who share similar interests. It's a great way to make new friends and learn from each other.