The hottest Monetization Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
The Generalist 380 implied HN points 14 Mar 24
  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.
ICYMI by Lia Haberman 353 implied HN points 13 Jun 23
  1. YouTube is providing earlier access to the YouTube Partner Program for smaller creators with lowered eligibility criteria.
  2. Creators will have access to fan funding features like channel memberships, Super Chat, and the ability to earn commissions through YouTube Shopping.
  3. By offering a sustainable path for smaller creators, YouTube may impact where creators choose to focus their efforts.
benn.substack 997 implied HN points 14 Apr 23
  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.
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The Rabbit Hole 314 implied HN points 19 Apr 23
  1. Twitter is empowering Citizen Journalists with features like Community Notes, Verification, and Creator Monetization.
  2. Trust in traditional media has declined, creating a space for Citizen Journalism to thrive on social media platforms like Twitter.
  3. Citizen Journalism on Twitter can democratize fact-checking, offer financial opportunities through monetization, and inspire a new generation of truth-seekers.
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 274 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  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.
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 798 implied HN points 28 Apr 23
  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.
Brick by Brick 9 implied HN points 26 Dec 24
  1. Microsoft offered GitHub Copilot for free to protect its platform from competitors. By making it free, they keep developers engaged and less likely to switch to other tools.
  2. Copilot boosts developer productivity but can also distract from GitHub's core services. Microsoft hopes that by offering it for free, developers will stay loyal to GitHub instead of looking elsewhere.
  3. This strategy makes it hard for smaller companies to compete since they can't match a free product. It helps Microsoft maintain control over the developer market and promote its other services.
The GameMakers Letter 137 implied HN points 17 Jan 24
  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
Michael’s Newsletter 235 implied HN points 07 Mar 23
  1. Newsletters are better than software businesses in many ways, like being faster to write and cheaper to operate.
  2. Newsletters can be profitable, even surpassing million-dollar incomes, with examples like 'Pragmatic Engineer' making $2.7 million a year.
  3. To start a successful newsletter, focus on topics you can talk endlessly about, curate content, and answer people's questions for valuable content.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 433 implied HN points 10 Jan 24
  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
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 224 implied HN points 21 Feb 24
  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.
Logging the World 378 implied HN points 09 Nov 22
  1. The author is considering moving their content from Twitter to Substack due to recent changes in Twitter's policies, like the requirement to pay for Twitter Blue to avoid shadowbanning.
  2. The author has enjoyed interacting with people on Twitter but feels unsupported by the platform.
  3. Despite not planning to leave Twitter completely, the author is exploring other platforms like Substack for long-form content.
The Pole 199 implied HN points 31 Oct 23
  1. Making money by selling to your audience is more lucrative than relying solely on ad revenue on YouTube
  2. Focusing on a specific niche makes marketing and positioning videos easier, but finding a balance is crucial to avoid burnout
  3. Understanding the value of your audience, such as their purchasing power, is essential for creating valuable content and solving pertinent problems
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 307 implied HN points 13 Mar 24
  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.
Newsletter Circle 196 implied HN points 12 Mar 23
  1. There can be a business for any imaginable niche as long as you provide value to a specific group of people.
  2. Investing in SEO content and social media channels like Facebook, Reddit, and Instagram is crucial for the growth of a local newsletter.
  3. Consistency and patience are key to successful newsletter creation and growth.
Newsletter Circle 176 implied HN points 20 Mar 23
  1. Starting a newsletter can be a rewarding and powerful way to build an online business.
  2. Utilizing lead magnets, cross-promotions, and referral programs can significantly boost newsletter growth.
  3. Consider removing cold subscribers and focus on maintaining an engaged audience for optimal newsletter monetization and growth.
Technology Made Simple 159 implied HN points 08 Jul 23
  1. Understanding the difference between Vertical and Horizontal Integration is crucial in business. Horizontal Integration can offer leverage and streamline processes within an organization.
  2. Threads, Meta's new app, has the potential to tap into academic circles on Twitter by addressing its mobile-only flaw. This could change user engagement dynamics and impact monetization.
  3. Social media platforms like Threads can be powerful tools for controlling public discourse and information flow. Meta's investment in the Metaverse is seen as a strategic move for the future.
DiGiTalk Newsletter 157 implied HN points 03 Jul 23
  1. Learn how tools like Canva, ChatGPT, Notion, and Gumroad can help content creators generate income.
  2. Success with these tools comes from understanding and utilizing their features effectively.
  3. Resources are available to help creators learn and make the most of these tools.
Have You Played? 58 implied HN points 07 Feb 24
  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.
Department of Product 117 implied HN points 02 Jul 23
  1. Google heavily relies on advertising, with search and YouTube being significant sources of revenue.
  2. Generative AI could pose a threat to Google's search business model by providing all answers directly, potentially decreasing the need for users to click on search results.
  3. Microsoft's strategic partnership with Bing and OpenAI is seen as a move to challenge Google's search business, focusing on software subscriptions.
Artificial Ignorance 142 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  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.
Boundless by Paul Millerd 92 implied HN points 16 Mar 24
  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.
Working Theorys 86 implied HN points 23 Feb 24
  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
Cosmos 19 implied HN points 03 Apr 24
  1. Many creators are starting newsletters to have a direct line of communication with their audiences and fans, especially with the risks of relying solely on social media platforms for business.
  2. YouTube is introducing a 'Members Only' feature for Shorts, allowing creators to monetize by offering exclusive content to paying fans.
  3. Platforms like X are becoming more open to NSFW content, creating opportunities for adult content creators to thrive in these communities.