The hottest Sales Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
The American Peasant 2715 implied HN points 27 Oct 24
  1. The Exeter Hammer was developed over three years to create a lightweight, balanced tool ideal for furniture makers. It combines good design and functionality to improve woodworking tasks.
  2. The hammer's design process involved scrapping an earlier project that felt too similar to common hammers on the market. This led to creating a unique hammer that meets specific needs of woodworkers.
  3. The first 400 hammers sold quickly, showing a strong demand and approval from users. This success suggests that thoughtful design can resonate well with the target audience.
The Breaking Point 199 implied HN points 29 Oct 24
  1. Focus on solving the root problem, not just the surface issues. Fixing the wrong thing will only lead to more problems.
  2. Quality leads are crucial for a successful sales process. Even a flawed process can succeed if the leads are strong and motivated.
  3. Looking upstream for solutions can help fix multiple problems at once. If you improve one area, other issues may also resolve.
Enterprise AI Trends 63 implied HN points 29 Jun 25
  1. Selling AI to hedge funds is quite challenging. They often lack success stories and top-down support can make a difference.
  2. Investment managers face unique barriers when considering new technology like AI. Understanding these barriers can help tailor your sales approach.
  3. Many companies have struggled to sell AI in finance, leading some to pivot their strategies. It's important to learn from these experiences to succeed.
Alex's Personal Blog 65 implied HN points 28 Feb 25
  1. Startups are growing faster than ever, hitting $5 million in annual revenue quicker than before. This shows that today's startups have better opportunities and strategies to scale up.
  2. Self-driving technology is making great progress, with companies like Waymo doubling their paid rides in less than a year. This suggests that self-driving cars are becoming more reliable and popular.
  3. Comparing Stripe and Adyen reveals that Stripe is investing heavily in future growth while Adyen focuses on efficiency and profits. This difference shows how each company has its own strategy to succeed in the market.
The Breaking Point 279 implied HN points 17 Oct 24
  1. Value is based on how the buyer sees it. For example, ice cubes can be very valuable on a hot day, but not so much on a cold one.
  2. Customers often find high value in features that are easy to create, rather than the complex ones. A simple 'Export to Powerpoint' function ended up being super useful for many users.
  3. Sometimes, the reasons customers buy a product aren’t just about how useful it is. They might buy it for the customer service, prestige, or other factors that might surprise you.
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The ZIPster 35 implied HN points 28 Feb 25
  1. CitNOW started as a small company in the UK and grew by creating easy-to-use automotive apps. They found success by being the first to offer this kind of technology in their market.
  2. They learned the importance of focusing on their target market, which was the automotive industry. They decided to stop chasing opportunities outside this sector to stay true to their core business.
  3. When expanding internationally, they took careful steps after learning from past mistakes. They aimed to enter the Italian market by leveraging their successes and established relationships with companies like Volkswagen.
Startup Real Talk 291 implied HN points 21 May 25
  1. Don't rush to cross-sell. In the beginning, most customers may not buy extra products from you, so it's better to focus on growing your customer base first.
  2. Avoid getting distracted by cross-selling. Stick to what you do best to keep your business moving forward.
  3. Wait until your customer count is larger before cross-selling. The more customers you have, the better the chances of successfully selling additional products.
Startup Business Tips 🚀 51 implied HN points 15 Jun 25
  1. Building a Go-To-Market (GTM) foundation is essential for growing a SaaS company from zero to one million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). This involves understanding your target market and developing proper strategies.
  2. GTM collaterals, like an effective homepage and sales deck, are vital tools for converting visitors into customers. They help communicate your value and guide potential buyers through their decision-making process.
  3. Choosing the right channels to reach your customers is crucial. Focus on a few primary channels first and gradually explore secondary options as you gain traction.
The VC Corner 259 implied HN points 15 Sep 24
  1. The current landscape for venture capital is changing, and there are risks that could impact its future. It's important for founders to understand these shifts.
  2. Founders can take control of their growth strategies by focusing on building a solid sales pipeline. This can help them succeed even in uncertain times.
  3. Adapting to new growth approaches is necessary for SaaS businesses. Finding fresh methods can lead to sustained success and relevance.
The Breaking Point 159 implied HN points 08 Oct 24
  1. When making decisions, it's important to separate methods from outcomes. If you mix them up, it can lead to confusion and endless debates.
  2. You can plan in two ways: starting with methods to estimate outcomes or starting with outcomes to figure out the methods needed. Both ways can work depending on the situation.
  3. To empower your team, give them clear outcomes and let them choose their own methods. This way, they feel involved and motivated to succeed.
L'Atelier Galita 79 implied HN points 13 Oct 24
  1. There's a free training available on how to sell if you don't like selling. It's a chance to learn useful skills without any cost.
  2. This training is available for a limited time of 24 hours, specifically for premium members. It's a special offer to appreciate loyal subscribers.
  3. The training focuses on the basics of copywriting, which can help improve selling techniques. Even if you're not a fan of sales, these tips can be valuable.
Enterprise AI Trends 105 implied HN points 03 Jun 25
  1. AI can take over prospecting tasks, allowing you to focus on other important things. Instead of just assisting you, AI can act independently to find leads.
  2. With AI doing most of the work, prospecting becomes a continuous and flexible process. It doesn't rely on human effort alone, making it less tiring.
  3. You'll still need humans to set up and adjust the AI agents, but the AI can handle the heavy lifting in finding prospects. This makes the overall workflow much smoother.
CalculatedRisk Newsletter 23 implied HN points 23 Jun 25
  1. Existing-home sales rose by 0.8% in May compared to April, but they are still down 0.7% from last year. This trend indicates a mixed market performance.
  2. The total housing inventory increased significantly, showing a rise of 20.3% year-over-year. More choices for buyers could ease some pressure on the market.
  3. The months of unsold inventory went up to 4.6 months, which means houses are staying on the market longer. This level is higher than before the pandemic, suggesting a shift in buyer demand.
The ZIPster 35 implied HN points 14 Feb 25
  1. Starting a business without a formal plan can still lead to success, especially if you're adaptable and listen to your customers.
  2. Entering new markets can be tricky; familiarity with local culture and practices is very important to avoid mistakes.
  3. It's better to focus on areas where you have experience and can easily connect with customers, rather than spreading too thin in unfamiliar locations.
Good Better Best 1 implied HN point 20 Jun 25
  1. Pricing updates can take a lot of time due to slow billing systems. Using a centralized rate card model can help make changes faster and easier.
  2. A/B testing prices works well in some situations but isn’t always practical. Testing prices in similar markets might be a good option if you need to keep pricing public.
  3. Creating a clear framework for volume pricing helps build trust and makes negotiations smoother. This way, both sides can understand the pricing logic, leading to better relationships.
Startup Business Tips 🚀 34 implied HN points 01 Jun 25
  1. To grow from €0 to €1 million in annual recurring revenue, founders need to go through three stages: Hustle mode to find initial customers, Focus mode to identify the best-fit customers, and Expansion mode to scale further.
  2. A strong Go-to-Market (GTM) foundation is essential for success. This involves defining your Ideal Customer Profile, clear positioning of your product, and effective messaging to communicate what makes your product unique.
  3. Building the GTM foundation includes 10 key elements like pricing, sales strategy, and tracking systems, all of which help sustain growth and reach new milestones.
Kenny’s Sub 299 implied HN points 22 Jul 24
  1. Haggling often doesn't work well in the long run. It's better to stick to your price and negotiate on other terms if needed.
  2. $1 can feel expensive to some people. They may not see the value in what they are buying or find it too much effort for a small price.
  3. You need to have products ready to sell. Without anything to offer, it's tough to make money. Planning ahead is crucial.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 410 implied HN points 12 Feb 25
  1. Automation in marketing doesn't mean sending many random messages. It can be effective by targeting the right audience in a smart way.
  2. Using advanced tools, businesses can reach out to potential clients based on specific signals, like job changes or website visits, making outreach more relevant.
  3. By focusing on quality over quantity, automated strategies can significantly improve response rates and lead conversion, creating a more successful approach to sales.
Tippets by Taps 6 implied HN points 12 Jun 25
  1. AI tools like Claude and Cursor are really helping with coding tasks, but sales AI tools still have a long way to go. Many founders are using AI to save time and improve accuracy in their work.
  2. Custom GPTs are a favorite among founders because they solve specific problems quickly. People are moving away from traditional CRMs to more AI-native options that offer deeper insights.
  3. While AI is making strides in development, many sales tools are still underwhelming. Founders are frustrated that they have to customize solutions instead of relying on existing AI products to meet their needs.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 749 implied HN points 04 Dec 24
  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.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 425 implied HN points 22 Jan 25
  1. Warmly grew from zero to $700k ARR in 2023 by using a founder-led sales approach, where the co-founder took a hands-on role in closing sales.
  2. By shifting to a more structured and scalable sales process, Warmly was able to triple their revenue plan for 2024 and build a diverse sales team with various roles.
  3. They experimented with different marketing channels, including partnerships and paid ads, which helped them expand their customer base while learning which strategies were most effective.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 788 implied HN points 13 Nov 24
  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.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 695 implied HN points 01 Dec 24
  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.
Day One 758 implied HN points 24 Feb 24
  1. Building trust and authority through valuable content is essential for selling products or services online
  2. Utilizing testimonials and free high-quality content can greatly persuade potential customers to make a purchase
  3. Addressing objections, providing ongoing support, and reducing buyer's remorse are key to maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 354 implied HN points 08 Jan 25
  1. The team turned around low activation and conversion rates by improving their onboarding process. They made it easier for users to get started and better understood how to use the product.
  2. They used data from user feedback and behavior to identify problem areas in their product. This helped them find ways to create a smoother experience for users.
  3. By adding gentle reminders and prompts in their product, they encouraged free users to explore paid options. This strategy increased their free-to-paid conversion rate significantly.
Elena's Growth Scoop 786 implied HN points 11 Jan 24
  1. Product-Led Growth (PLG) allows products to scale endlessly and adapt quickly to market changes.
  2. Adding sales to PLG is necessary for B2B companies to capture enterprise market and drive growth.
  3. When considering adding sales, focus on complex products, higher AOVs, and the need for sales assistance.
Kenny’s Sub 179 implied HN points 11 Jun 24
  1. To succeed, it's important to go all out and fully engage in your work. Learning from past experiences and caring about people can make business more enjoyable and rewarding.
  2. Staying committed to your daily routines helps maintain momentum. Missing a day is okay, but try not to miss two in a row to keep moving forward.
  3. Effective communication is key, especially in sales. By planning questions and being genuinely curious, you can connect better with people and help them achieve their goals.
Artificial Ignorance 117 implied HN points 27 Nov 24
  1. AI can help analyze a large number of sales calls quickly instead of relying on humans to do it manually. This makes it easier to understand customer behaviors and needs.
  2. Choosing the right AI model is important. Higher quality models may cost more, but they can provide better and more accurate results over cheaper options.
  3. It’s essential to make the data user-friendly. Organizing and making information accessible helps teams use insights from the analysis effectively.
Channels of Growth 687 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. The book 'Channels of Growth' focuses on a Growth Marketing Framework for dominating channels and building better products.
  2. All users come from channels when it comes to growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing these channels.
  3. The book aims to provide a personal Growth Marketing framework based on lessons from over $100M+ spent on growing products.
The ZIPster 35 implied HN points 10 Jan 25
  1. Starting a business is tough, especially during hard times, but with the right idea, it can thrive. CitNOW found success by focusing on video services for car dealers when no one else was doing it.
  2. Partnerships can make or break a business. For CitNOW, getting a big contract with Nissan was a major boost, but it also showed how complex relationships with larger companies can be.
  3. When competition increases, businesses must adapt. CitNOW faced new rivals offering cheaper services, so they had to find ways to cut costs without losing quality to stay competitive.
Enterprise AI Trends 189 implied HN points 10 Feb 25
  1. OpenAI is shifting its focus to a stronger enterprise strategy, moving beyond just APIs and consumer-focused ChatGPT plans.
  2. They plan to develop and deliver custom AI models specifically for businesses, separate from what regular users get.
  3. OpenAI wants to launch AI agents for companies, hinting at a significant change in how they compete in the market.
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 465 implied HN points 23 Oct 24
  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.
Startup Real Talk 291 implied HN points 04 Dec 24
  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.
VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES 99 implied HN points 25 Jun 24
  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.