The hottest Marketing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Preparing to launch 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Testing the payment flow is crucial. It's important to ensure the payment system works correctly before launching, so real-world testing with coupon codes can help ease nerves.
  2. Improving the landing page can make a big difference. Sometimes stepping away helps you see what's unnecessary or unclear, allowing for better, more precise wording.
  3. Planning next steps is essential for a successful launch. Focus on pricing strategy, generating social proof, and preparing for platforms like Product Hunt to boost visibility.

A Winning Strategy

Points And Figures • 932 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Being authentic is key for leaders. When leaders show their true selves, it helps build trust and culture in their organizations.
  2. Not every leader is suited for every situation. Finding the right fit where authenticity shines can lead to greater success.
  3. People today appreciate genuine leadership. With so much fake behavior around, being authentic stands out and resonates with others.
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🚀 A Smarter Way to Launch Ebikes

The Micromobility Newsletter • 491 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Prelaunch.com uses a special reservation system for customers interested in products, offering them a deal on launch.
  2. Prelaunch.com helps ebike inventors gather market feedback, optimize product design, and customize marketing strategies.
  3. Success stories like the FUELL Fllow and other electric mobility products have benefitted from Prelaunch.com's validation platform.

The emerging startup playbook

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 962 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Create a minimum remarkable product that really stands out. This means your initial product should be good enough to impress people right away, as getting their trust back later is tough.
  2. Use storytelling to engage your audience. Instead of a big launch event, try to build a community around your product through authentic content and personal stories.
  3. Stay lean by using automation and AI to keep things efficient. It's better to have a small, skilled team that can innovate rather than hiring lots of people to get things done.

Business Process Audits

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Sports gambling can be seen as a predatory business model that targets vulnerable individuals. Companies often exploit psychological weaknesses to profit, impacting a small percentage of harmful cases.
  2. Business model audits could help identify harmful practices in industries like gambling and social media. These audits would look for ways companies might be profiting from customers who are easy to exploit.
  3. Regulation needs to focus on clear definitions of harmful business practices. Simple rules might not work, but audits can reveal deeper issues where companies thrive on the disadvantages faced by some consumers.

How Nominators on Medium Evaluate Stories for Boost (With Killer Insider Interview)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 479 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Medium's Boost Program helps writers get more views and earnings by promoting their stories to a wider audience.
  2. There are over 60 Boost Nominators on Medium who help select great stories to get a Boost.
  3. Nominators look for unique and insightful stories, not just those from popular writers, so having a small following doesn't stop you from being noticed.

The 3 Marketing Metrics To Rule Them All [Part 3]

Category Pirates • 471 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Driving market capitalization for a growth company involves getting people to understand category potential.
  2. Marketing grounded in Category Design helps create economic conditions for a company to win by creating new market categories.
  3. Investors bet on a company's future potential, not just past performance, which relies heavily on understanding and driving the size and growth of its category.

What I learned from tracking 443 SaaS pricing pages

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 907 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing
  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.

The definitive product positioning framework

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 749 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Choosing the right customer segment is crucial for your product's success. Different segments have different needs, and you need to focus your strategy accordingly.
  2. Positioning isn't something you can just test quickly with A/B tests. It's more of a strategic choice you make at a higher level, affecting how you market and present your product.
  3. Your homepage is the best place to show your product's positioning. It should be clear and accessible, so everyone inside and outside the company understands it.

🚗beep beep, I'm on a road trip

Mehdeeka • 4 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Only sell features before they're built if the launch will happen within your average sales cycle, and be upfront about timing with clear “coming soon” messaging.
  2. Artful, minimalist ads can do heavy lifting for positioning — spending on creative brand moments signals luxury and makes higher prices feel believable.
  3. Keep messaging simple (ELI5), start early on EOFY campaign and sales-incentive planning, and get customer insight now by talking to sales, listening to calls, or checking dashboards.

off to the printers!!

vrk loves paper • 139 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Marketing
  1. The first issue of Pouch magazine is ready for printing. It has 50 pages packed with content for stationery lovers and journalers.
  2. A new cover design was created to better represent what Pouch is about. It now clearly targets a specific audience and reflects the magazine's fun vibe.
  3. The creator is taking time to develop Pouch carefully, treating the first issue as a pilot study to gauge interest and improve their skills in print design.

The 10 biggest mistakes I made bootstrapping to $1M ARR

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 788 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Launching on Product Hunt was a big effort, but it didn't really help with getting customers. It was a good learning experience, though, and helped shape our messaging.
  2. Hiring digital marketing agencies didn't work out well because we didn't understand marketing ourselves. We realized we needed to learn the basics to direct our strategy effectively.
  3. Spending a lot on affiliate marketing and event sponsorships didn't pay off. Having a great product isn't enough; you need a solid plan to get others to promote it effectively.

How to Push Back on High Quotes or Pricing

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. There are different pricing models like Cost Based Pricing, Value Based Pricing, and Competitive Pricing. Each has its own approach, and knowing these can help you negotiate better.
  2. When facing a high quote, compare it with multiple offers to push back effectively. This gives you leverage and helps you find a fair price.
  3. Being clear about what you're willing to pay and understanding the value of the service can help you have better negotiations without getting stuck on high quotes.

6 founders sharing their mistakes & tips going from 0-1

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Focus on one clear, painful problem and validate it with real paying customers before you scale. Do regular discovery, prioritize their feedback, and keep iterating until you reach product–market fit.
  2. Own and double down on reliable go-to-market channels instead of depending on rented platforms; build community, integrations, referrals, and launch often. Start manually (onboarding, outreach) to learn what works, then scale the proven plays.
  3. Hire and structure the team smartly and keep product craftsmanship disciplined: bring in senior people early, avoid premature VP titles, be ruthless about hires, and pay down tech debt. Keep onboarding and pricing simple so customers don’t get overwhelmed.

Vote for the June 2025 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Marketing
  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.

Getting the product on the hands of customers ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. It's important to get feedback from both experienced and beginner developers to improve the product. This will help make the product easier for everyone to use.
  2. The landing page needs continuous updates based on feedback to better attract potential users.
  3. Preparing for a launch on platforms like Product Hunt involves creating promotional content and a support network to maximize visibility and impact.

MR WRONG: Personality crisis.

INDIGNITY • 255 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Marketing
  1. The article discusses the author's experience with a unique job application process involving a quiz.
  2. The author reflects on the results of the quiz and the personality label assigned to them.
  3. There's a teaser at the end for readers to guess the type of job the quiz was for, adding an interactive element to the article.

Last Call to Save 25% on Your Subscription

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 695 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. You can get a 25% discount on an annual subscription to The Free Press, which costs $60.
  2. The subscription offers full access to articles, investigations, and popular columns, as well as the chance to join discussions in the comments.
  3. Subscribers will also get early access to tickets for special events, including debates and book talks.

Long-Chain Marketing: How Data Engineering & Data Management Create Value For The Business

High ROI Data Science • 297 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Understanding the long-chain in marketing is crucial for connecting business outcomes with data and metrics.
  2. Data engineering and knowledge management are essential for transforming data into valuable assets that can be monetized by the business.
  3. Long-chain marketing involves seeing marketing efforts as part of a longer sequence of actions that lead to business outcomes, rather than standalone events.

Why reverse benchmarking works

A Bit Gamey • 33 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Instead of copying market leaders, look for what they can’t do and compete on that different axis. Being meaningfully different in one area can beat being slightly better at the same things they already do.
  2. Big companies optimize measurable metrics and therefore create blind spots like intimacy, humour, or meaning. Small players can own these unmeasured dimensions to attract loyal customers.
  3. People respond to stories and contrast more than features, so changing the frame often beats pure optimisation. Don’t try to run the same race faster — find a race the leader can’t enter.

Food Friday!

INDIGNITY • 216 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Marketing
  1. The article discusses the author's experience trying a cacao fruit and making chocolate from it.
  2. A review of a frozen pizza, the 'Surfer Boy' pizza, inspired by the TV show 'Stranger Things'.
  3. Information on sandwich recipes from a cookbook published in 1927.

The state of B2B merch in 2026

Mehdeeka • 8 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Treat merch as a strategic, measurable marketing tool tied to revenue; focus on converting the undecided audience and run A/B tests to prove impact.
  2. Make merch useful and experiential — personalisation and on-site customisation or problem-solving items increase keep-rate and memorability.
  3. Use small-batch, targeted activations for ABM and earned media by sending thoughtful, timely gifts with digital tie-ins and repurposing designs across channels.

How to name a product

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Pick a name that clearly matches what the product is and the feeling or behavior you want people to expect.
  2. Prioritize legal safety by checking trademarks and avoiding names others already control so your brand can be defended.
  3. Verify a suitable domain (ideally an affordable .com) or plan clear modifiers, because online availability drives discoverability and credibility.

Freelancers - what your ideal client looks like

The Open Source Expert • 39 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. A great client has done their research on you and knows your skills. This means they understand what you offer and how you can help them.
  2. Good clients are open about money. They discuss budgets clearly and have reasonable expectations for what they can afford.
  3. Respect is key in a client relationship. A good client values your work and understands that your rates reflect the quality you provide.

Week in review

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Mastery cycles help you learn skills quickly by breaking the process into steps: try, review, and improve. This keeps you organized and focused on growth.
  2. The Dunning-Kruger effect shows that people often think they're smarter than they are at first. Overcoming challenges makes you more aware of how much there is to learn.
  3. Reflection and planning are just as important as doing the work. Taking time to think about what you've done helps you get better and avoid falling into bad habits.

The Road to Hell, part 1 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 459 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Purpose in business, particularly social purpose, can lead to flawed ethical thinking and potentially negative outcomes.
  2. The concept of purpose emerged as a response to the reputational crisis faced by big businesses post-2008 financial crisis, aiming to portray them as 'good guys'.
  3. The purpose movement in business and marketing gained momentum in the 2010s but led to questionable outcomes, showcasing a gap between feel-good stories and harsh realities.

How to make millions selling PDFs

Net Income • 412 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Selling digital products with no marginal cost can be a great business.
  2. Twinkl's success illustrates the power of recurring revenue and strategic growth expansion.
  3. High asset turnover and strong margins have contributed to Twinkl's financial success.

How to Formulate Your Unfair Advantage Strategy

Running Lean Mastery • 412 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Unfair advantages are characteristics that can't be easily copied or bought, like insider information or network effects.
  2. Unfair advantages differ from competitive advantages in that they have exclusivity and defensibility, making them harder to copy.
  3. Differentiate between a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) for customers and an Unfair Advantage directed towards competitors.

Trying in public...works?

Trying In Public • 39 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing
  1. Trying in public can be beneficial, even if it's intimidating. By sharing your work or thoughts, you may discover that others are waiting for someone to voice the same ideas.
  2. Using quizzes for marketing can be a creative and engaging strategy. Consider starting with the result you want to sort people into and mapping questions based on that.
  3. Engaging with feedback and experimenting with new ideas can lead to growth and learning. Don't be afraid to try new tools or trends to see what resonates with your audience.

Answered and asked

INDIGNITY • 216 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Marketing
  1. Advice columns may zhuzz up boring letters or invent interesting problems for entertainment.
  2. Ethical advice may suggest returning government funds, but it's up to you what to do with them.
  3. Launching an advice column may involve making up fake letters to get started and engage readers.