The hottest Monetization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Inside the Dahlia Wars

Culture Study • 3103 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Gardening Community Monetization Ownership Creators
  1. Dahlias have a rich history and diverse range of varieties, making them popular among collectors for their beauty and unique characteristics.
  2. The dahlia community faces challenges like disease control, competition for rare varieties, and shifting norms around pricing and ownership.
  3. There is a growing trend among millennials to turn hobbies, like dahlia growing, into side hustles, reflecting a desire for productive and monetized leisure activities.

Meta's just not that into you

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Media Publishing Social media Monetization Legislation
  1. Facebook is shifting away from news content, with recent actions including shutting down its news tab and restricting news links on its platforms like Instagram and Threads.
  2. Publishers have seen a decline in Facebook traffic over the years, as the platform has deprioritized news pages since the aftermath of the 2016 election.
  3. Many publishers blame Meta for not compensating them adequately, leading to lobbying efforts by publishers globally to force Meta to the bargaining table.

Some thoughts on the Substack controversy

The Watch • 2631 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
💼 Business Controversy Monetization Platform Subscription Income
  1. Substack has faced controversy over hosting white supremacists and other objectionable content
  2. Switching platforms can be risky for content creators like the author due to potential loss of subscribers and audience
  3. The author suggests direct support via other payment methods for those who want to support writers on Substack without contributing to the company

The Future of Farcaster with Dan Romero

The Generalist • 380 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Blockchain Decentralization Monetization Scaling
  1. Farcaster, a disruptive social network, is built on a permissionless protocol, attracting attention by charging every user a fee to prevent spam.
  2. Farcaster competes head-to-head with Elon Musk in the social arena, aiming to offer a fundamentally different social experience rather than just a Twitter clone.
  3. Introducing innovative features like 'Frames' mini-applications within the feed has been a game-changer for Farcaster, sparking interest among developers and users.
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From 0 to 10 million users in four years

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 307 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Startup Growth AI Monetization Marketing Strategy Product-led growth
  1. Copy.ai's rapid growth from 0 to 10 million users in four years was fueled by fast MVP iterations, leveraging AI like GPT-3, and a focus on early monetization.
  2. The monetization strategy of starting at $3 per month and then testing higher price points was crucial in Copy.ai's journey towards a platform model with a $49 per month subscription.
  3. Key to Copy.ai's scaling success was a strong growth strategy that included early user acquisition via social media, SEO optimization, and a specialized marketing team dedicated to different channels.

How to drive paid memberships without a paywall

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Media Marketing News Monetization
  1. Emphasize the local impact: Clearly communicate how local news is shrinking in your area to show readers what they may lose without support.
  2. Specify donation purposes: Avoid vague requests and explain how donations contribute to specific journalism projects or coverage areas.
  3. Implement pledge drives: Utilize public-radio-style pledge drives to create urgency and engage readers, ensuring they are consistently reminded of membership opportunities.

The Renaissance of Media

Growth Croissant • 963 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Growth Monetization Team Management
  1. Building a media business as an individual is challenging and requires hard work and consistency.
  2. As a media business grows, managing growth, monetization, and tech can become distracting from the core creative efforts.
  3. To bridge the resource gap between large media companies and individual creators, providing hands-on support for tech and growth can be beneficial.

Passing the Hat

The Commonplace • 809 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Monetization Content creation Subscription Model Digital marketing
  1. The author aims to have a different approach to monetization by avoiding aggressive sales tactics and simply reminding readers about paid subscription options once a year.
  2. The author values creating a space free from excessive ads and calls to action, focusing more on providing quality content for readers.
  3. The author emphasizes that while money is appreciated, what truly matters to them is the readers enjoying and benefiting from their writing.

How I Made My First Million Online

Day One • 479 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Content creation Monetization Community Building Product Development
  1. Choose a platform that fits your content format and engage with your community to build a loyal following.
  2. Creating products/services should revolve around solving your community's problems, listen to their struggles and offer solutions.
  3. Consistently create quality content, engage with others, and focus on helping people to build a successful online brand.

Do/Don't Give Me Money

Yassine Meskhout • 393 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Freelancing Monetization Writing Income Sustainability
  1. The writer turned on paid subscriptions, but values being read over being paid and doesn't plan to put writing behind a paywall.
  2. The writer mentions not needing money due to getting paid well in their job, expressing gratitude for readers' interests and potential financial support for more writing time.
  3. The writer's writing schedule is irregular due to their job, but hopes it can become financially sustainable in the future to write full-time.

Traditional media outlets are under-monetizing their YouTube channels

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing Monetization Advertising Media Entrepreneurship
  1. Traditional media outlets are not fully utilizing the monetization potential of their YouTube channels, missing out on significant revenue opportunities.
  2. Newsletter advertising has experienced growth despite challenges faced by the larger advertising industry, with brands noting higher engagement and return on investment.
  3. John Oliver's YouTube channel for Last Week Tonight showcases high engagement with fewer videos compared to other late night shows, yet HBO is not directly monetizing it, highlighting a missed opportunity for revenue.

Advertisers won’t be guilted into funding news

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 224 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
💼 Business Advertising Media News Activism Monetization
  1. Advertisers won't easily fund news due to activist campaigns pressuring them to choose where ads appear.
  2. The use of keyword blocklists by advertising agencies has made it difficult to monetize hard news through advertising alone.
  3. Organizations are urging brands to support trusted news sites to ensure journalism is adequately funded, but the path forward is challenging.

Speaking, Turning Off Subscriptions, Book Names | #260

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 92 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Writing Community Books Monetization Entrepreneurship
  1. Ultraspeaking can transform how we communicate: practicing speaking without prior thinking can enhance our abilities to convey messages effectively.
  2. Consider one-time gift pricing: Switching from monthly subscriptions to pay-what-feels-right one-time fees can reduce administrative tasks and provide more freedom in supporting content creators.
  3. Book title ideas: Titles like 'Post-Hustle: My Accidental Quest For Good Work' and 'Hardly Working: How I Lost My Edge & Found Good Work' are under consideration for an upcoming book release.

Inside Rewind’s path to 170 Series A offers

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 433 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups Funding Product Development Monetization Entrepreneurship
  1. Rewind's success story includes starting with a different product and pivoting to a viral AI hit
  2. The decision to monetize from day one helped Rewind grow rapidly but required continuous iteration on pricing strategies
  3. Rewind's approach to leveraging product-led growth (PLG) includes emphasizing viral loops and frequent product launches

OpenAI's moat

TechTalks • 334 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Open Source Modeling Monetization Innovation
  1. OpenAI is building new protections to safeguard its generative AI business from open-source models
  2. OpenAI is reinforcing network effects around ChatGPT with features like GPT Store and user engagement strategies
  3. Reducing costs and preparing for future innovations like creating their own device are part of OpenAI's strategy to maintain competitiveness

Is Solopreneurship Right For You?

Elena's Growth Scoop • 2063 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Product-Market Fit Monetization Career growth
  1. Starting as a solopreneur is like starting any other business, using skills from your job to help grow yourself.
  2. For solopreneurs, differentiation comes from specificity in knowledge, focusing on specific industries or business models.
  3. As a solopreneur, build a portfolio of monetizable services and explore advising opportunities for a flexible and potentially more rewarding path.

Great Products Have Great Premises

Working Theorys • 86 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Products User Behavior Startups Entrepreneurship Monetization
  1. A great premise gives context and comfort for users to engage in actions they might otherwise find challenging
  2. Great premises are the foundation of successful products and brands, normalizing behaviors or beliefs that were previously not accepted or considered mainstream
  3. Powerful premises lead to strong identities for products and businesses, shaping brand decisions and marketing strategies

GPTs won't make you rich

Artificial Ignorance • 142 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Marketplace APIs Productivity Monetization
  1. GPTs are valuable for improving productivity with advanced prompts, document uploads, and external APIs.
  2. Building a business solely around GPTs is challenging due to factors like limited IP protection, competition, and uncertain revenue sharing.
  3. The true potential of GPTs lies in internal company use cases, where they can enhance efficiency and workflow automation.

Is Monopoly GO really "PROFITABLE"?

The GameMakers Letter • 137 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Gaming User Acquisition Marketing Mobile Gaming Monetization
  1. Monopoly GO seems to be a successful mobile game, generating significant revenue and downloads
  2. The concept of profitability in free-to-play games can be complex, with various factors influencing true financial performance
  3. There may be discrepancies in claims of profitability, as success in the game industry can be evaluated differently

How dbt succeeds

benn.substack • 991 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💼 Business Data Analysis Technology Competition Monetization Acquisition
  1. dbt Labs' success has had a significant impact on people's lives by providing better job opportunities and higher salaries in the data industry.
  2. Despite its success, dbt Labs may face increasing competition in the future from startups and other companies that are challenging its position in the market.
  3. dbt Labs could consider evolving its business strategy by focusing on its community, exploring new product opportunities, or even exploring options like selling the company to better align with market trends and potential challenges.

Episode XOXO

Have You Played? • 58 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Mobile Gaming Monetization
  1. Episode XOXO is a game with interactive stories centered on romance and with different story conventions.
  2. The game's choices may have little impact on the plot, but its approachability and ease make it popular and profitable.
  3. The stories in Episode XOXO are designed for quick engagement, but may reflect traditional stereotypes and are influenced by monetization.

One of the biggest mistakes newsletter writers make

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 798 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💼 Business Marketing Monetization Entrepreneurship Sponsorship Advertising
  1. Newsletter writers should reintroduce themselves at the beginning of each newsletter to provide context for new subscribers.
  2. Content monetization is easier than ever, but building an audience is becoming more challenging for creators.
  3. To increase sponsorship revenue, consider strategies like recruiting sponsors from your own audience, joining ad exchanges, and hiring sales staff.

Bye Bye Blue Check

Drezner’s World • 786 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Companies Digital Content Online Culture Monetization
  1. Twitter is changing their verification program and making it tied to subscribing to Twitter Blue for $8 a month.
  2. There is controversy and dissatisfaction among users about having to pay to keep their blue checkmark.
  3. Elon Musk's decisions regarding Twitter's verification system and revenue generation strategies have faced criticism and led to speculation about his ability to run the company.