The hottest Marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Why Usher Will Get Paid $0 to Headline the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show—and Why That's OK

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 178 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Artists like Usher may headline the Super Bowl halftime show for free, but they benefit from increased record sales and exposure.
  2. The NFL's unique arrangement with performers makes sense from an economic perspective, as the exposure during the halftime show can lead to millions of dollars worth of value for the artists.
  3. Despite not receiving payment from the NFL, artists still have direct financial incentives to perform due to the significant spike in record sales and other subsequent opportunities.

Moving beyond founder-led sales

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 425 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  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.

The future of advertising and cinema is under threat, and what happens next feels inevitable.

The Social Juice • 36 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The advertising industry is facing significant challenges, with major companies like Omnicom cutting thousands of jobs due to mergers. This points to a tough future for many working in media and advertising.
  2. Netflix's recent acquisition of Warner Bros for $72 billion marks a huge shift in the entertainment landscape, showing how major players are consolidating power in the media industry.
  3. Consumer preferences are changing as shown by the rising importance of festive ads. A majority of adults feel that these ads impact their shopping choices during the holiday season.
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We are crowdfunding $ for design!

Offline: dating that works • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The team is crowdfunding $5K for design to improve their product, starting with a minimum viable design and then progressing to marketing and user recruitment efforts.
  2. They are seeking support through financial pledges, volunteer resources, spreading the word, and connecting with potential users for research interviews.
  3. The project aims to evolve from a demo site to a consumer-ready product through iterative funding rounds and community engagement.

The Hemi Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Marketing
  1. The Hemi engine has become a popular and recognized brand name, almost like its own celebrity in the car world. It's known for its strong performance and has fans calling for its return in various vehicles.
  2. Hemi's reputation stems from its long history and impressive performance, especially during the muscle car era of the 1960s. Its success in races helped cement its legendary status among car enthusiasts.
  3. Unlike many car brands, the Hemi name is well-known even outside of car culture, appearing in music and pop culture. This broader recognition is a rare achievement for an engine name.

The Art of Experiment Design

Running Lean Mastery • 314 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Running experiments is crucial for innovation, but simply running experiments is not enough.
  2. Formulating better guesses is key for quality results in experiments.
  3. Steps to improve experiment design: adopt a discovery mindset, shortlist promising campaigns, and test with small additive experiments.

Slack's greatest magic trick

Top of the Lyne • 314 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Net Revenue Retention is a science, not art, and can be engineered
  2. Successful subscription businesses have at least 20% of revenue driven by expansion, with some as high as 40%
  3. Slack's segmentation engine is a complex but well-crafted marvel of data science and engineering

Why memes make millions

Hot Takes • 314 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Memes are a powerful tool for marketing and sharing ideas.
  2. Understanding and using memes can help businesses gain attention in a crowded market.
  3. Spending time on social media and being funny online can lead to profitable opportunities.

BrXnd NYC Recap // BrXnd Dispatch vol. 020

BrXnd Dispatch • 314 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The BrXnd conference in NYC was a success with engaging talks
  2. Working with AI technology can present unexpected challenges and require a new way of thinking
  3. The announcement of the upcoming BrXnd Marketing X AI Conference in SF shows a commitment to ongoing innovation and collaboration

The anatomy of a breakthrough “Service-as-a-Software” business

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 425 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Chargeflow focused on marketing and customer relationships before building their product. This helped them understand what their audience needed and how to stand out.
  2. They made it super easy for customers to sign up and get started, which led to positive reviews and a better presence in app stores. Fast onboarding is key for attracting users.
  3. Chargeflow's pricing model is based on success, meaning customers only pay when they see results. This approach not only attracts customers but keeps them around longer.

The Creator Economy's paradigm shift

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The Creator Economy is becoming more powerful than traditional media. Creators are now shaping cultural conversations more than ever before.
  2. Teen moms on TikTok are making lots of money and changing how people view their lives. Social media allows them to support their families and break stereotypes.
  3. Podcasts are growing in popularity and are being watched on TVs. This means video versions of podcasts could get more viewers who enjoy watching them at home.

The end of the live streamer mega deals

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Many livestreamers who signed huge contracts with platforms like YouTube and Mixer are now returning to Twitch as their contracts end. It shows a shift back to where they started, highlighting the unpredictable nature of streaming deals.
  2. Podcasts, especially video podcasts, are growing in value and popularity. They offer creators a chance to reach more people and compete better with big media, but they still aren't fully recognized by traditional media companies.
  3. Apple TV+ is cleverly marketing its shows by giving away earlier seasons for free on platforms like Roku. This approach can attract new subscribers and create buzz for upcoming seasons, but not all streaming services are doing this.

How 1440 scaled its newsletter to 4 million subscribers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Understanding the true value of a newsletter subscriber is crucial. Knowing how much revenue each subscriber brings helps in making smart decisions about how much to spend on acquiring new subscribers.
  2. Growing a newsletter takes strategic planning and iteration. Utilizing feedback from early subscribers and constantly improving the product can lead to high engagement and retention.
  3. Expanding beyond email can unlock new growth opportunities. Creating a platform for educational content helps connect curious learners with valuable resources, while also providing more inventory for advertisers.

Starting a Substack

My Home Office Hacks • 10 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Treat a Substack like self‑publishing: building it doesn’t automatically bring readers, so you must actively market and consistently work to grow an audience.
  2. Right after publishing, post a Note and share your issue on your social channels; also subscribe to and recommend other Substacks to get visibility and attract curious readers.
  3. Good content starts with genuine interest, your own voice, and a clear point of view; stories build trust and engagement, and free subscribers can become paid ones later.

One step beyond: how game contracts could evolve

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 294 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Marketing
  1. Game development contracts have evolved over the years, shifting towards a structure that allows developers to recoup a percentage of revenue from the first dollar grossed.
  2. Successful game marketing strategies include emphasizing unique gameplay features, clarifying the game's genre, and leveraging multiple channels like social media and newsletters.
  3. Engaging directly with the audience through newsletters and social media can significantly boost interest and wishlist numbers for upcoming games.

6 Red Flags When Hiring an Ad Agency

Nail It and Scale It • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Watch out for agencies that promise unrealistic results, like a 10x return on ad spend. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
  2. Be cautious if an agency only shares selective positive data. Reliable results should be backed by a broader range of data over time.
  3. Make sure your goals are clear and that the agency takes accountability. If they shift focus away from your goals, that's a red flag.

AI will replace you at your job if you let it

Technically • 28 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. If you hand the core parts of your job to AI without meaningful oversight or creativity, your employer may decide the AI can do it instead of you.
  2. Relying on AI for foundational tasks prevents you from learning the craft and developing good judgment, which makes you less valuable over time.
  3. Use AI to augment your work, not replace it. Start small by automating narrow repetitive tasks, keep guardrails and testing in place, and combine model outputs with your own insight and personalization.

High churn, low LTV

Top of the Lyne • 275 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Generative AI company Murf uses behavioral AI to penetrate the enterprise market and boost self-serve conversions.
  2. Murf's AI engine helped increase enterprise conversions by 10% and boosted revenue closed by 20% for their sales team.
  3. The AI engine improved conversion rates by 7x for pro self-serve conversions during a Black Friday promotion.

Reverse engineering your perfect business

Tiny Empires • 122 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Start by figuring out the life you want to live, then design your business around that life. Your business should help you enjoy your life, not take it over.
  2. Identify when you are most productive and build your schedule to fit those energy patterns. Work with your natural rhythms for better efficiency.
  3. Pick a business that matches your skills and preferences. Choose tasks you enjoy and are good at, and avoid things you dislike to keep your energy up.

How Hollywood streamers should work with YouTubers

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Hollywood streamers are looking to collaborate more with popular YouTubers, especially for unscripted projects. They might save money by licensing existing creators' content rather than creating new shows.
  2. Facebook groups are filling the gap left by local newspapers, providing communities with news and updates. However, these groups might lack the accuracy and depth of professional journalism.
  3. TikTok, especially BookTok, is driving more people to visit physical bookstores like Barnes & Noble. It's interesting how the platform encourages in-person shopping instead of just online sales.

How Scott Porch helps podcasters grow and monetize their audiences

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎙 Podcasts Marketing
  1. Scott Porch helps podcasters grow their audiences and make money. He connects them with advertising networks and helps them put their shows on YouTube.
  2. Growing a podcast can be tough because many advertising networks only work with shows that have a big following. Scott helps smaller shows get to the next level by fixing issues and improving strategies.
  3. He believes strongly in paid subscriptions for podcasts. The easier you make it for listeners to subscribe, the more likely they are to do it, especially on platforms like Apple Podcasts.

On Non-Determinism // BrXnd Dispatch vol. 35

BrXnd Dispatch • 137 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Marketing
  1. Computers operate deterministically, following specific algorithms to produce consistent results.
  2. Contrary to computers, AI models rely on probability to predict outputs, leading to non-deterministic behavior.
  3. The concept of hallucinations in AI highlights the uncertainties and associations generated by models, similar to how brands are perceived as bundles of ideas and associations.

A Systematic Roadmap to Product/Market Fit

Running Lean Mastery • 255 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Product/market fit is a significant milestone for startups and achieving it takes time and effort.
  2. By having the right mindset and processes, navigating the early stages of a product can be done systematically like finding your way through a maze.
  3. The Running Lean roadmap consists of three main stages - Business Model Design, Validation, and Growth - leading to product/market fit.

Booking: The $170B+ A/B Testing Machine

SatPost by Trung Phan • 154 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Booking Holdings became the largest online travel company by using A/B testing effectively. They run thousands of tests on their website to figure out what works best for getting customers to book travel.
  2. The company's success also comes from smart acquisitions, like Booking.com and Active Hotels, which helped them quickly grow and shape the travel industry. These acquisitions cost them $294 million and grew into a $170 billion company.
  3. Booking's culture focuses on data and experimentation. They let everyone in the company, not just the top executives, run tests and use data to make decisions, leading to a more user-friendly experience.

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 Marketing
  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.

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

The Ruffian • 301 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Marketing
  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.

Recommendations

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Substack’s recommendation feature makes it easier for readers to find useful newsletters and helps publishers grow their audiences.
  2. Several prominent newsletters offering endorsements include Overoptimize, Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter, RolePulse, and Thoughts From A Digital Mom.
  3. Recommended Stacks to follow include Workspaces, Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter, Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends, and The Minimalist Author HQ.

i've weaseled my way into a business camp for newsletter writers

Both Are True • 114 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. A person feels nervous about attending a camp for newsletter writers. They worry about fitting in and if people will like them.
  2. They managed to get into the camp for free by offering to write about the event. This shows creativity and negotiation skills in pursuing opportunities.
  3. Despite their worries, they believe there's a lot to learn at the camp and are excited about making new connections in the newsletter world.

Trading places

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Be cautious with how you handle customers' sensitive data to avoid breaking trust.
  2. Consider the optics of your business operations as much as the functionality to maintain trust.
  3. Don't plan on building one service as a stepping stone to another; focus on what you want to create in the long run.

40+ ICP marketing plays

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 465 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Identify your ideal customer profile (ICP) well. Look at signals like company growth and tech usage so you know who to target.
  2. Use different marketing strategies together, like emails and social media, to reach your best customers effectively. It's better than just hoping your ads will land on the right people.
  3. Keep track of how potential customers interact with your business, like signing up for newsletters or attending events. These actions show they are interested and can help guide your follow-up efforts.

Good for nothing

Thoughts on Writing • 599 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The concept of purpose in branding can lead to purpose nihilism and moral grandstanding, creating a focus on image rather than genuine altruism.
  2. Critics of purpose-driven campaigns often focus on ethical concerns over commercial effectiveness, highlighting the tension between doing good and making profits.
  3. Effective altruism movements, while aiming for rational philanthropy, can sometimes lead to noble cause corruption, blurring ethical lines for the sake of perceived long-term benefits.

The Corner Store vs The Wholesaler

The Data Jargon Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The corner store model focuses on personal relationships and tailored solutions, while the wholesaler model is more about scale and efficiency. It's important to know what type of service you need for your business.
  2. Consulting firms can operate like either a corner store or a wholesaler, but they can't do both well at the same time. Understanding which approach fits your needs can save you money and frustration.
  3. Often, businesses think they need the efficiency of a wholesaler, but what they really need is the personal touch and problem-solving skills of a corner store. A personalized approach can lead to better outcomes.