The hottest Marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

If they can see us, they can fleece us

The Shift With Sam Baker • 878 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Menopause Marketing Society
  1. Menopause marketing can sometimes be insensitive and ridiculous, like promoting menopause tea with flower pictures.
  2. Society's attitude towards menopause is evolving, but there is still progress to be made in how it is perceived and addressed.
  3. This post highlights the societal shift in embracing menopause and the need for better representation and understanding of menopausal experiences.

Don't Give Up

Venture Prose • 459 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Marketing Strategy Success
  1. In crowded markets, strive to show unique insight, act fast, and execute well.
  2. If there's a clear leader, consider different strategies - like targeting a different geography or being more capital-efficient.
  3. Entering small or tough market sectors can still work if you start niche, focus on profitability, and learn from previous attempts.

The 21 GTM Channels to grow your SaaS

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups Marketing Sales Growth SaaS
  1. There are 21 different channels to grow your SaaS business. Some channels focus on direct interactions, while others rely on partnerships and external platforms.
  2. When choosing a channel, consider your product's complexity, market maturity, and your team's skills. Not every channel works for every product.
  3. It's important to engage with your customers through valuable content and be visible on social media to attract and retain them.
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What Is a Brand?

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
💼 Business Branding Marketing Design Consumer behavior Entrepreneurship
  1. A brand is more than just a logo or a website; it's how a company is perceived by customers. It includes everything about the company, inside and out.
  2. Building a brand involves creating trust and relationships with people. It's about how customers feel when they interact with your business.
  3. Your brand is shaped by how others see you over time. It's important to stand out and leave a memorable impression, as that perception affects your success.

Have purpose agencies forgotten how to do charity ads?

Thoughts on Writing • 379 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business Advertising Non-profit Marketing
  1. Ad agencies may need to relearn how to create impactful charity advertising as commercial clients shift away from social causes.
  2. Charity ads must strike a balance between emotive storytelling and responsible representation of the cause to avoid misrepresentation.
  3. Creating purposeful campaigns for charities requires a different approach compared to commercial brands, involving sensitivity and skill.

What happened in marketing: Meta is cooked, Microsoft goes big and TikTok's last hope

The Social Juice • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Technology Investments Social media AI
  1. Microsoft is investing heavily in AI, planning to put $80 billion into data centers this year. This shows their commitment to growing their technology influence.
  2. Meta is facing serious challenges and has decided to remove certain AI character accounts, signaling struggles in their strategy.
  3. TikTok is in a critical situation and needs to find new ways to maintain its user engagement and popularity.

Why brand comes first

The Sociology of Business • 657 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💼 Business Brand Management Organizational Design Marketing Retail Product Design
  1. Short-term thinking in brand-building focuses on quick sales, leading to discount-dependency, while long-term prioritizes full-funnel strategy and brand desirability.
  2. Brand strategy goes beyond marketing, involving product design, retail, and cultural influence for modern retail success.
  3. Brand management emphasizes organizational cooperation, cultural awareness, and coordination across departments to renew brand perception and maintain relevance.

Philip Morris International: More More More

Invariant • 511 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance Marketing Strategy Investment Industry
  1. Philip Morris International is focusing more on next-gen products like IQOS and its heated tobacco units, with efforts to transition users from traditional cigarettes - showing promise for future growth.
  2. Despite some challenges like higher costs and FX pressures, PMI is maintaining its position in the market by introducing innovative products and investing in its portfolio.
  3. ZYN, another product spreading rapidly, faces questions about its popularity among underaged consumers, but it still shows strong growth due to being a preferred choice over competitors.

Should you ever talk smack about your competitors?

Startup Real Talk • 145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Marketing Strategy Competition Entrepreneurship
  1. It's usually not a good idea to criticize your competitors because it can make you appear weak. However, if you're a small player facing a giant competitor, it can be an exciting story to share.
  2. If you’re similar in size to your competitor, it's best to minimize mentions of them. Acknowledging them can give them more power, so keep your focus on your own strengths.
  3. If you’re the big player in the market, try to shift the conversation to something more positive about your brand. Being the giant can bring challenges, so it's wise to manage the narrative carefully.

40+ ICP marketing plays

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 465 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Sales Growth Strategy
  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.

Cost of Acquisition (CAC) trap.

Elena's Growth Scoop • 1022 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Marketing Metrics ROI Customer Acquisition Product Development
  1. Focus on optimizing payback period instead of just reducing CAC to improve ROI.
  2. Consider the profitability and long-term value of different acquisition channels before shutting them down based solely on CAC.
  3. The payback period is a superior metric for acquisition that focuses on reinvesting returns and optimizing various aspects like CAC, conversion rate, ARPU, and conversion time.

👑 5+ resources with the TOP creative ads

Business & Marketing with Nika • 39 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Creativity Resources Trends
  1. You can find inspiring ads and creative work at places like Ad Creative Bank or the Ads of the World website. These resources showcase some of the best in advertising.
  2. The Cannes Lions Festival is a big deal for marketers, similar to the Oscars for movies. It's a great place to see top creative work and get inspired.
  3. If you're running online ads, check out the Meta Ads Library or Google's Ads Transparency Center to find creative examples in real-time.

10 SEO Myths Killing Your Business

Nail It and Scale It • 99 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Digital Strategy SEO Entrepreneurship
  1. SEO takes time and money to see real results. If you're looking for quick fixes, SEO might not be the best choice for your business.
  2. AI can help with some parts of SEO, like on-page optimization, but it can't do everything. Good content and backlinks still require a lot of manual effort.
  3. SEO isn’t a one-time task; it's an ongoing process. You need to keep optimizing and updating your site regularly to maintain good search rankings.

David Tran and Sriracha's $1B+ Journey

SatPost by Trung Phan • 95 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Branding Marketing Food Industry Consumer Products
  1. David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee, transformed a simple chili sauce recipe into a $1B brand called Sriracha. He started with just some hidden gold bars after fleeing Vietnam.
  2. Sriracha became popular without traditional marketing, relying on word of mouth and maintaining a simple production process. The brand does not spend much on ads and has no sales team.
  3. Despite facing challenges in supply and competition, Tran remains focused on his original recipe and is not concerned about trademarking 'Sriracha.' He believes in keeping the sauce spicy and authentic.

Meta's surrender, Walmart brand refresh and Heineken's brand genius

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Social media Trends
  1. Meta's recent changes haven’t affected most businesses because their content moderation was already lacking. Many users are concerned about hate speech and adult content getting out of control as Meta steps back.
  2. Walmart is refreshing its brand with small changes to appear more friendly, but it's more about their recent collaborations and less about a big transformation. This reflects the trend of brands wanting to look welcoming without really changing much.
  3. Heineken is working hard to connect with Gen-Z by addressing loneliness and promoting a positive drinking culture. Their creative campaigns are helping them stay relevant, even as younger audiences trend towards less alcohol consumption.

TBM 328: Beyond Firmographic-Based ICPs

The Beautiful Mess • 264 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Startup Product Management Marketing Operations Customer success
  1. Traditional ways of identifying ideal customers, like just looking at company size or industry, aren't enough anymore. It's important to understand the specific needs and behaviors of different companies.
  2. When starting a new job, it's crucial to listen and learn from others instead of jumping to conclusions. Take your time to understand what actually matters for the product and the customers.
  3. Different organizations have unique ways of working, and it's vital to grasp those differences. Observing and talking to customers helps create better products that cater to their specific challenges and goals.

Headway

First 1000 • 943 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Testing simple things can be valuable.
  2. Utilizing social proof on landing pages can be effective.
  3. It's not always necessary to go against the grain.

Don't hunt, set traps

Startup Real Talk • 291 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Sales Marketing Customer Acquisition Growth Strategies
  1. It's better to set up systems for getting customers rather than just trying to close individual sales. This way, you can get more customers efficiently over time.
  2. Once your product fits the market, focus on creating repeatable ways to attract customers. This is more valuable than closing one deal at a time.
  3. Like setting traps for hunting, having a continuous lead system helps your business succeed without relying on just one person for sales.

Steve Jobs - ‘Don’t Ask Your Customers What They Want, Why?’ | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 519 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💼 Business Product Development Innovation Entrepreneurship Technology Marketing
  1. Start with the customer experience in mind when developing products, not just technology.
  2. Avoid asking customers what they want; focus on innovative solutions beyond functional needs.
  3. Creativity involves connecting different ideas and industries to innovate and simplify products.

What happened in marketing: Meta trumps fact checking, TikTok shutdown and AdTech at CES

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Technology E-commerce Media
  1. Meta is changing its policies around content moderation and fact-checking, which is causing concern among advertisers. They want more freedom and less control over what can be shared.
  2. TikTok is facing potential bans in the US due to national security worries, which has many users worried about the future of the platform.
  3. CES 2025 brought new advertising technologies and trends, showing a shift towards innovative ad solutions and increased spending, especially in online platforms.

What we would’ve done differently in the first year of bootstrapping our company

Founders Confidential • 51 HN points • 28 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Startups Growth Strategies
  1. Start content marketing early because it takes a long time to build an audience. This way, you can also learn what your users really need.
  2. Target specific keywords in your SEO content. This helps your articles show up in search results and reach the right audience.
  3. Understand your users' experiences more deeply. Talking to them can give you valuable insights to improve your product.

4 key metrics to track for solofounders

Tiny Empires • 85 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Metrics Revenue Marketing Strategy Finance
  1. Track your monthly net profit to see if your business is healthy. If profits drop for too long, figure out why.
  2. Know your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) to understand how stable your income is. This helps you plan for the future.
  3. Focus on a few key metrics for marketing and sales, like the cost per lead and conversion rates, to make better decisions. Don't get lost in too much data.

#23: How to Write a Good Pitch Deck

Loeber on Substack • 122 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Marketing Startups Finance
  1. A good pitch deck should help the investor easily create an investment memo. This means your deck should be clear and focused on key points.
  2. Always consider what an investment memo looks like, and make sure your pitch deck provides all the necessary information an investor might need to write it.
  3. Try to anticipate and answer common investor questions in your deck. This makes it easier for them to understand your business and advocate for you.

#1 Question You Need to Crush Your Niche

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 99 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Strategy Sales Branding
  1. Success takes time and effort; it doesn't happen overnight. Jim Carrey's journey shows that hard work is key to reaching your goals.
  2. Understanding your audience is crucial. Asking 'What do they want?' can help you create something they truly value.
  3. Don't just settle for the surface; dig deeper to find unique insights. This can set you apart in a crowded market.

Increase the Odds of Getting Boosted by Submitting Your Stories to These 60 Medium Publications

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🚌 Education Writing Marketing Self-Improvement Publishing Content creation
  1. Submitting your stories to Medium's Boost-eligible publications can greatly increase your chances of getting noticed. It's like giving your work a better chance to shine.
  2. When a story gets Boosted, it can earn significantly more money and engagement than a non-Boosted story. Getting Boosted really can make a big difference.
  3. There are many active publications on Medium, so you just need to find the right fit for your writing. Once they see your amazing stories, you'll have a better shot at success.

Who I Am and Why I Started This Newsletter

Nail It and Scale It • 119 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Marketing Technology Investing
  1. The author has over 10 years of experience in advertising, tech, and startups. This gives him a unique view on problems and solutions.
  2. He has worked with both big companies and startups, helping them grow and succeed. Some of his clients have achieved significant milestones like IPOs and acquisitions.
  3. The newsletter will offer practical advice for entrepreneurs on how to grow their businesses. It will cover various topics like marketing tactics, budgeting, and using AI for efficiency.

How I Hit 1,000 Substack Subs in 5 Months & How You Can Too!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1458 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Social media Content creation Online Platforms
  1. Building a Substack newsletter can be very rewarding, and it's possible to grow your subscriber count quickly. It took just five months to reach 1,000 subscribers.
  2. Consistent and engaging content is key to attracting and retaining subscribers. People want to feel connected through what you share.
  3. Promotion and networking are important. Sharing your newsletter in the right communities can help you gain more visibility and reach potential readers.

Trading places

benn.substack • 997 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology Finance Data Privacy Startups 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.