The hottest Marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

A quick product simplicity test: remove all the explainers

amivora • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. A good way to test if a product is simple is to see if users can figure it out without any guides. If they can, it’s likely designed well.
  2. Sometimes, new user experiences with lots of explanations can become a crutch instead of making the product easier to use. It's important to focus on making the product itself clear.
  3. Thinking about how a product would work without any explanations can help improve its usability. This can lead to a better overall user experience.

✅ Monday briefing: Dark arts, Coronation planning, agency planning, sex industry careers, charity lobby, cycling greenwashing, toxic workplaces, community based marketing, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Dark arts practices in media, like privacy abuses and phone hacking, are being highlighted and criticized nowadays. People are calling for more honesty and accountability in journalism.
  2. The challenges for agencies include planning for crises caused by climate change, wars, and rising costs. Companies need to adapt their strategies to deal with these ongoing issues.
  3. Community-based marketing is gaining attention as a key strategy for brands. Companies are realizing the importance of owning and engaging with their communities to drive success.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

What is it you do?

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Reflect on how you define yourself and your work - it's unique to you.
  2. Use tools like calculators to help set financial targets for your digital products.
  3. Reframe marketing and self-promotion as essential parts of sharing your craft and creations.

✅ Monday briefing: WaddsCon, Reach investment, fossil fuel PR, conflict of interest, cost of living survey, eBay trolls, GA breaches GDPR, GCS misinfo toolkit, creator tools, CommsHero and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 26 Sep 22
💼 Business Marketing
  1. WaddsCon is happening soon and will focus on how to create and pitch data stories to the media. It's a good chance to learn from speakers who will share useful tips and case studies.
  2. Reach is expanding by hiring over 25 journalists and staff to attract a younger audience. This shows a shift in the media to engage more with the 25 to 35 age group.
  3. There are concerns about PR agencies with conflicts of interest, especially regarding evaluations for COVID-19. It's important to ensure fairness and transparency in such evaluations.

Slise.xyz mid-Q2 2023 Investor Updates: Binance Accelerator + Product Live + First Revenue!

Oleksii Sidorov • 36 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Slise.xyz had a successful launch of their ad platform with significant user growth and revenue
  2. The company was accepted into the prestigious Binance Labs MVB program and is receiving interest from investors
  3. Key highlights include hiring new team members, attending important events, and focusing on product and analytics improvements

Weekend Theorys No. 4

Working Theorys • 21 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The concept of 'cool' is depreciating faster than ever, leading builders to rethink product longevity. Minimizing time to value and embracing time to lameness are key strategies.
  2. Builders must navigate between the online persona ('netizen self') and real-life persona ('citizen self') to maintain authenticity and relevance in a digital age.
  3. Launching new products in a slow and deliberate manner, focusing on timeless design, and inventing new product categories can help extend the lifespan of a product in a fast-changing market.

#23: Undeniable uncertainty

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 08 Apr 20
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Uncertainty is always present in business, and it can catch you off guard when you least expect it. It’s important to prepare in advance, even if it seems like a waste during stable times.
  2. When facing uncertain situations, businesses should take small, immediate actions instead of waiting for a perfect plan. This helps them learn and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
  3. Having a clear understanding of goals and trade-offs is essential during times of uncertainty. This allows employees to make effective decisions and take necessary actions without getting stuck.

Brands, Ads, and the Persuadable You

From the Desk • 9 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Not all ads are great, but repetition can make a brand stick in your mind. Some ads just need to inform rather than entertain.
  2. Good brands connect emotionally with their audience. They aim to show that using their products can help you feel like a better version of yourself.
  3. Positioning is key for brands. They need to clearly show who their products are for, helping certain shoppers feel more drawn to them.

5/20/22: How Shein Works - An Update

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 22
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Shein has become a major Chinese company in fashion and e-commerce, valued at $100Bn, marking a significant presence in the industry.
  2. Shein's success is attributed to its flexible supply chain and innovative manufacturing approach, focusing on quick production and a vast selection of products.
  3. Shein is expanding beyond fashion into categories like accessories and home items, with efforts to improve quality and sustainability, potentially evolving into a platform rather than just a brand.

Here's What Happened; Meta's bye to News, X's free reach & the future of TikTok Shops

The Social Juice • 19 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Marketing
  1. Meta plans to stop showing Facebook news in the US and Australia, affecting social media and content access.
  2. TikTok introduces a feature where creators can identify similar products to promote their TikTok shop, expanding e-commerce opportunities.
  3. X (Twitter) is implementing algorithm changes, ensuring all followers see your pinned post, improving content visibility.

Great communication in 3 steps

A Bit Gamey • 27 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Gain attention: Use humor, surprise, or shock to stand out and make an impact.
  2. Communicate clearly: Make your message easy to understand and remember, using simple language and visuals.
  3. Persuade effectively: Use influencing tactics like social proof or scarcity to encourage action.

Pricing Change Analysis: Airtable and Aha!

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Airtable changed its pricing model from an AI add-on to a credit system, making it easier for teams to use AI features without needing to contact sales.
  2. Credits in Airtable can be shared among users, which helps teams manage their usage better and encourages upgrades when they hit limits.
  3. Aha! launched a project management tool that fits well with their existing products, but its many pricing options could confuse customers instead of helping them choose easily.

MKT1 Guide to Ecosystem Marketing

MKT1 Newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Ecosystem marketing is a great way to boost growth as other marketing methods like inbound and outbound are becoming less effective. By partnering with the right people, you can reach more potential customers.
  2. It's important to focus on the right partners who have a strong overlap with your target audience. A smaller partner with a dedicated audience may provide better results than a large partner with a less relevant audience.
  3. Creating value is key in partnerships. The best relationships benefit everyone involved, including your company, your partner, and your customers, so ensure that all parties gain from working together.

Your ultimate guide to affiliate referrals for B2B SaaS

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 17 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Affiliate referrals in B2B SaaS can be a cost-effective and scalable way to boost product visibility and credibility, leading to targeted leads and conversions.
  2. There are two main types of affiliate referrals: affiliate content creators and affiliate hubs, each with its own pros and cons.
  3. Setting up a successful affiliate referral program involves defining incentives, preparing a program landing page, sourcing the right affiliates, promoting the program, and tracking key performance indicators.

The Anti-Brand-Builder’s Guide to Building Your Brand

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Think of your life story in just a few words. Writing a six-word biography helps you see the key points of your journey and values.
  2. Identify what you’re really good at. Everyone has a unique skill, or 'superpower,' that they can share, and recognizing this can help you define yourself better.
  3. Start small by sharing what you know. You don’t need to do big things right away; even a simple social media post can be a good first step.

How marketing teams can adopt AI in 1 day

MKT1 Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Marketing teams need to adopt AI, but it can feel overwhelming. It's important to find a simple way to start using AI tools in a practical way.
  2. One effective method to get teams on board is to run a marketing AI hackathon. This allows teams to collaborate, experiment, and build real projects in a fun setting.
  3. For a successful hackathon, it helps to plan ahead with clear goals, set some constraints, and encourage everyone to be creative. Simple projects can lead to big improvements.

Monday briefing #8: Agency start-ups, Enero posts growth, PR proof, chart tool, link attribution, AI reader comments, value gap, news habits, and more

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 20
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Innovation in the PR industry is strong, with many new agencies starting up during the pandemic. If you're considering freelancing or starting an agency, there are important tips to think about.
  2. Enero, a marketing services group, posted significant revenue growth recently. This shows that some companies are thriving even in challenging times.
  3. Many consumers now prefer to follow the news on TV rather than social media. This shift indicates changing habits in how people consume news.

10 Ways to Price and Package AI (for any customer)

Good Better Best • 6 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. AI can be effectively priced using different strategies like freemium, free trials, and personal add-ons. These methods encourage users to explore AI features while still aiming for possible upgrades.
  2. Offering tiered pricing or credit models helps companies capture different user needs. This way, customers can choose plans that suit their usage levels and budget.
  3. AI can be positioned as a premium offering within corporate plans. This not only adds value to the product but can also justify higher prices for enterprise clients.

The Truth About Content Creators (It's Not What You Think)

The Software Engineering Times • 3 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Most content creators earn very little money, often less than $1,000 a year. They create content out of passion and the desire to help others, not just for financial gain.
  2. There are different types of content creators. Some focus on selling products, while others create for pure enjoyment. The ones who succeed in making good money are very rare.
  3. Creating content is usually a big commitment and often feels like a second job. Many creators start to build their brand or help others, and the money doesn't come until much later, if at all.

Do you really need an audience?

Kenny’s Sub • 2 HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. You don't need a big audience to start selling your services. There are platforms like Upwork and Fiverr where people are already looking for help.
  2. Using existing marketplaces helps you find customers faster and validate your ideas. It's a smart way to know if there's demand for what you want to offer.
  3. Building a following takes time and can be draining. Focus on getting in front of the right people instead of waiting for an audience to form.

Rivian: A Masterclass in Brand Narrative

The Intersection • 19 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Rivian's approach to brand narrative focuses on simplicity: Using just one word, 'Forever,' to convey an authentic purpose-led message.
  2. Rivian's success is tied to its futuristic promise, contrasting with traditional automakers like Toyota and VW who are valued based on their past success.
  3. Rivian prioritizes purpose over product by emphasizing experiences and emotions on its website, setting a unique tone for customer engagement.

Word Association Fame

Working Theorys • 17 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Attention is a zero-sum game in today's world; competing for it on various platforms is necessary.
  2. The new attention playbooks for gaining fame are likely to involve old tactics, like word association.
  3. Brands have historically used word association to create strong connections with consumers and stand out amidst competition.

Monday briefing #3: digital ad woe, fake journalists, workplace serendipity, tackling diversity, Zoom alternative, COVID-19 map, and more…

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
💼 Business Marketing
  1. The digital ad market is facing serious issues, with problems like fake websites and bots causing trouble. It's important to focus more on real outcomes in advertising.
  2. There needs to be more diversity in the PR industry to tackle its ongoing problems. Making recruitment briefs more open could help with this issue.
  3. New tools are emerging for remote work, like Mmhmm, which allows for better video collaboration during virtual meetings. These new options can help make online interactions more engaging.

Repairing the sales <> marketing relationship

Mehdeeka • 3 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Sales and marketing need to work better together. Just being friends isn't enough; they should share feedback and support each other more.
  2. Pick one salesperson to collaborate with and understand their needs. This focused approach helps build a strong working relationship.
  3. Always acknowledge feedback from the sales team. When they see their suggestions used, they'll feel more invested and likely to collaborate in the future.

Things in Culture that might help you as a marketer

The Social Juice • 17 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Marketing
  1. Language interpretation is crucial in marketing, as different cultures may interpret the same message differently.
  2. Understanding the cultural context is important in marketing, like how certain ads at the Super Bowl may not resonate with everyone.
  3. Embrace hate as an opportunity, like Taylor Swift's success in leveraging negative narratives for positive outcomes.

Here's What Happened; Pinterest's Growth, AI Updates and Weak Snapchat Q4 2023

The Social Juice • 17 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Pinterest's impressive growth to 500 million monthly active users and new ad partnership with Google is a significant development in the social media space.
  2. Meta's introduction of new AI content labeling rules and its legal actions with TikTok against the EU over online content regulations indicate their proactive stance on AI ethics and regulations.
  3. Snapchat's meager 5% revenue increase in Q4 2023 showcases obstacles faced by the platform amidst a challenging advertising environment.