#Substack and Reddit Strategies

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Invitation to Elevate Your Substack Newsletter and Medium Stories a New Reddit Community

Welcome to r/Substack_Mastery Let’s discover how Reddit can amplify your reach, connect you with engaged readers, and seamlessly integrate your Substack newsletters with Medium stories for remarkable growth. Dear Writers and Readers, In 2020, I faced an unexpected setback when I was banned from one of my favorite Reddit communities. My “offense” was sharing my personal journey with autophagy…

[kenyatta]

The Washington Post is working on plans to get content from alternative sources like Substack contributors and “nonprofessional writers” aided by an AI editor and writing coach, reported The New York Times’ media reporter Ben Mullin.

The new content strategy comes after months of turmoil at the Post as staffers have bristled at efforts by owner Jeff Bezos and publisher and CEO Will Lewis to cut costs, increase revenue, and adopt a more right-leaning, MAGA-friendly tone, including directing the paper to forgo an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris last fall and a February staff-wide email from Bezos announcing a “new direction” for the Opinion Section.

According to Mullin’s report Tuesday afternoon, the program has been internally named “Ripple” and the research and development for it started over a year ago. It seeks to “sharply expand” the Post’s lineup of columnists in an effort to “appeal to readers who want more breadth than The Post’s current opinion section and more quality than social platforms like Reddit and X.”

[yonahsienna]

This Was Supposed to Be Fun

Or: WTF happened to the online Commons, and where do we go now?

Let me start by saying that I don't want to be a "content creator" or “online influencer”. I don't want to "optimize engagement" or “build an agile social strategy”. I don’t even particularly want to Start a Blog or Podcast. I just want to f#¢&!ng hang out with my friends and community online, and I feel like we should have The Technology to just do that by now.

Of course (infuriatingly) we did have that technology! I first connected to the World Wide Web in 2001 when I was ten years old. Back then, the whole family shared one computer, which I mostly used to play Age of Empires, Bugdom, and Oregon Trail. Connecting to the Internet meant that nobody could use the phone, so we would log on quickly (accompanied by a symphony of discordant whistles and beeps), check emails and/or MSN messages, and then pass the computer to the next person.

As our access to the Internet grew through my teens, so did the diversity of content we consumed, shared, and bonded over. eBaum’s World and Newgrounds hosted a plethora of simple, free webgames we'd play once we got bored with the handful my parents were willing to buy, as well as the first viral videos like Numa Numa and Star Wars Kid. We also connected in new ways with a growing “social web” — profiles on sites like Myspace and Livejournal and eventually the early Facebook were a way that anyone could have their own site on the web, a little virtual locker that you could decorate and fill up to your liking, and have your friends stuff with virtual notes.

In my late teens and early twenties, the Internet was mostly for research and keeping up with student government and clubs via long weekly emails stuffed with hyperlinks and attachments. It wasn't until I was well into my twenties that I got my first smartphone. At university, the only way to connect to the Internet “on the go” was to tweet my on-the-go thoughts by sending an SMS text message to Twitter at 21212. I also hardly used the social web anyways, other than for a quick dopamine distraction or break from long study sessions in the library. I had even deleted my Facebook account that I'd had since high school, since the campus coffee shop and bar served as more than enough of a hub for socializing, philosophical and political debates, and important announcements posted on cork boards or delivered by intercom.

I know I probably sound like a stereotypical Millennial, whining about the “good ole days”, but I wanted to spend this time on memory lane for a reason. I think that no matter when you grew up, this feeling is probably close to universal: from the early 2000s to early 2020s, the Internet and social web seemed to just work. There were a lot of things wrong with the world, but the Internet was where we went to complain about other problems, not a source of them. But of course, even back then we were living on borrowed money and time. The virtual Commons we had grown comfortable in never actually belonged to us, the users. From the moment they incorporated, the big sites belonged to venture capital, who sold them out to the oligarchs, who sold them out to the fascists. We were never the customer, always the product.

Flash forward to 2025. The “big four” North American social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok) have all been captured by the Trump administration. Smaller sites, like Reddit, Telegram, and Substack have long been a hotbed for bigotry and hate speech. Searches on Apple, Google, Microsoft, and even Pinterest are serving up LLM “AI” slop before authentic and unique human creations. Ads, suggestions, sponsored posts, and cookie pop-ups take up far more space than the content I came for. And if I ever want my family, friends, and community to actually see my updates, I either need to send them to each person directly, or market my posts not to them, but to an algorithm optimized not for users or even businesses, but shareholder profit. On top of all of this, there is a pervasive sense of how uncomfortably public, permanent, and surveilled it all is. (In parallel to all this: efforts to gather in person are cut at the knees by a lack of coherent and safe public health policies, the dismantling of Third Spaces and affordable public transportation, and the militarization of the police.)

It is horrifying that exactly when the biggest thing we need for survival is to build and strengthen community, that the only accessible tools to do so, are hostile to our very existence.

Obviously this isn’t a coincidence. Every time we, the people, can talk to each other directly, we start getting dangerous ideas about the fact that the ultra-wealthy and hyper-elite are so few, and the rest of us are so many. Pamphlets facilitated the French and American revolutions, the telegraph and radio hastened the collapse of the Russian and German Empires, and Twitter fanned the flames of the Arab Spring. And here in America, The Powers That Be, Red and Blue alike, overwhelmingly want the American government in strict control over where and how we can communicate with each other.

And here I am, just hoping for a single F#¢&!NG site on the whole World Wide Web where I can just hang out with family, friends, and community that isn't owned and operated by literal fascists, kept behind a paywall, or too technical for our Elders to use. A comfy virtual coffee shop with announcement boards, conversations, the occasional performance, and a locker nearby for collecting memories and passing notes.

I don’t really know what the Takeaway/Call to Action is here. Yes, I’m already on Tumblr, Mastadon, and Bluesky, and would love it if we all continued to grow these kind of alternatives while divesting from profit-driven social "platforms". I’m still on Discord, Snapchat, and Signal and even have accounts on Loops, Pixelfed, and Xiaohongshu, in case the center of gravity ever moves over to those places. All of them still feel very "under construction" though, so I don't even know which (if any) I feel comfortable asking friends and family to "switch over" to. In the meantime, I'm just feeling lost, sad, lonely, and adrift; and wanted to share these musings with y’all. Just in case anyone has any advice you want to share, or are feeling the same way and want to commiserate.

xposted to Facebook, Tumblr, Medium, and WriteAs. God, I hate the Internet right now >:(

[geopolicraticus]

Friday 28 March 2025

Grand Strategy Newsletter

The View from Oregon – 334

Emancipatory Philosophies of History

…in which I discuss J. S. Mill, James Fitzjames Stephen, Jules Michelet, progress, emancipation, freedom, Ernst Jünger, liberal and illiberal conceptions of liberty, the Löwith-Blumenberg debate, Mircea Eliade, and being consciously and voluntarily historical…

Substack: https://geopolicraticus.substack.com/p/emancipatory-philosophies-of-history

Medium: https://jnnielsen.medium.com/emancipatory-philosophies-of-history-5bfd59dc07b9

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/The_View_from_Oregon/comments/1jx29s9/emancipatory_philosophies_of_history/

[spiderfreedom]

Politics is for power - towards radfem organizing

There is a lot of amazing radfem theory on here but it usually stays within our circles. Now the nature of Tumblr is that within 5 years, it will inevitably leak out somewhere else, but we must speed that up.

The major people who would be sympathetic to our cause are gender critical feminists. Not all of them, but some of them would definitely be interested in some of our arguments. We should find gender criticals who we think might be interested in some of our arguments and start communicating with them. A lot of gender critical women are on Substack. We can comment on their pages with extra resources, Substack writers are usually grateful for more material to reference. We can subscribe to them (if you have the money) and contact them directly with experiences that they can then further write about on their platforms.

It’s time we become active political forces. Any successful political movement requires action on multiple different fronts. We need to reach out to influential people. We also need to be active on social media as active as the enemy is. If you can’t post publicly with your current account, then make a new one using a new email and start posting. Don’t just post about radfem stuff but post about other things. We are full human beings, and radical feminism is just part of us, and we need to show the world that. Use your accounts (use emails from gmail or protonmail or other email services) and then post on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, etc. Because this is not your main account, do not be afraid of being banned. We are fighting a digital war as much as anything else. We are fighting things like Sh1n1gam1 Eyes which literally try to censor us. We know people like our ideas when they don’t know it’s coming from us. Take advantage of that.

If you have money, donate to people you trust in and believe in. I strongly recommend AGAINST working with conservatives or Republicans. In the long run, they always pervert our arguments, and it ends with most people not trusting us. Working with conservatives is NOT realpolitik or pragmatics, it is short term satisfaction at the cost of long term control. There are more of them than there are of us, which means they are the ones who have the power to control the narratives on their platforms.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to have real life radical feminist networks near you, take advantage of that! If you are good at organizing in real life, try to start one near you. We need a real division of labor to cover short term tactics and long term strategy. Your city may have a local feminist group that is working on something like violence against women. This is worth getting involved in. It will take a while to build up large institutions that we can use for long term strategy.

Whether you have a thriving local scene or can only do digital activism, there is a role you can play. You don’t have to stop posting theory, but let your imagination soar - how can you take theory beyond radblr? How do we do the work of long term convincing people? There are a lot of motivated and intelligent people in this scene. It’s time for the next big wave of feminist organizing.

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT SEO & MARKETING NEWS FOR ECOMMERCE, AUGUST 2024

Hello, and welcome to my very last Marketing News update here on Tumblr.

After today, these reports will now be found at least twice a week on my Patreon, available to all paid members. See more about this change here on my website blog: https://www.cindylouwho2.com/blog/2024/8/12/a-new-way-to-get-ecommerce-news-and-help-welcome-to-my-patreon-page

Don't worry! I will still be posting some short pieces here on Tumblr (as well as some free pieces on my Patreon, plus longer posts on my website blog). However, the news updates and some other posts will be moving to Patreon permanently.

Please follow me there! https://www.patreon.com/CindyLouWho2

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

A US court ruled that Google is a monopoly, and has broken antitrust laws. This decision will be appealed, but in the meantime, could affect similar cases against large tech giants. 

Did you violate a Facebook policy? Meta is now offering a “training course” in lieu of having the page’s reach limited for Professional Mode users. 

Google Ads shown in Canada will have a 2.5% surcharge applied as of October 1, due to new Canadian tax laws.

SEO: GOOGLE & OTHER SEARCH ENGINES 

Search Engine Roundtable’s Google report for July is out; we’re still waiting for the next core update. 

SOCIAL MEDIA - All Aspects, By Site

Facebook (includes relevant general news from Meta)

Meta’s latest legal development: a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over facial recognition and privacy.  

Instagram

Instagram is highlighting “Views” in its metrics in an attempt to get creators to focus on reach instead of follower numbers. 

Pinterest

Pinterest is testing outside ads on the site. The ad auction system would include revenue sharing. 

Reddit

Reddit confirmed that anyone who wants to use Reddit posts for AI training and other data collection will need to pay for them, just as Google and OpenAI did. 

Second quarter 2024 was great for Reddit, with revenue growth of 54%. Like almost every other platform, they are planning on using AI in their search results, perhaps to summarize content. 

Threads

Threads now claims over 200 million active users.

TikTok

TikTok is now adding group chats, which can include up to 32 people.

TikTok is being sued by the US Federal Trade Commission, for allowing children under 13 to sign up and have their data harvested. 

Twitter

Twitter seems to be working on the payments option Musk promised last year. Tweets by users in the EU will at least temporarily be pulled from the AI-training for “Grok”, in line with EU law.

CONTENT MARKETING (includes blogging, emails, and strategies) 

Email software Mad Mimi is shutting down as of August 30. Owner GoDaddy is hoping to move users to its GoDaddy Digital Marketing setup. 

Content ideas for September include National Dog Week. 

You can now post on Substack without having an actual newsletter, as the platform tries to become more like a social media site. 

As of November, Patreon memberships started in the iOS app will be subject to a 30% surcharge from Apple. Patreon is giving creators the ability to add that charge to the member's bill, or pay it themselves.

ONLINE ADVERTISING (EXCEPT INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL MEDIA AND ECOMMERCE SITES) 

Google worked with Meta to break the search engine’s rules on advertising to children through a loophole that showed ads for Instagram to YouTube viewers in the 13-17 year old demographic. Google says they have stopped the campaign, and that “We prohibit ads being personalized to people under-18, period”.

Google’s Performance Max ads now have new tools, including some with AI. 

Microsoft’s search and news advertising revenue was up 19% in the second quarter, a very good result for them. 

One of the interesting tidbits from the recent Google antitrust decision is that Amazon sells more advertising than either Google or Meta’s slice of retail ads. 

BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS, STATS & REPORTS; SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE 

More than half of Gen Z claim to have bought items while spending time on social media in the past half year, higher than other generations. 

Shopify’s president claimed that Christmas shopping started in July on their millions of sites, with holiday decor and ornament sales doubling, and advent calendar sales going up a whopping 4,463%.

[capacle]

Where do backers come from?

For this last crowdfunding campaign, I was able to generate separate referral links to share on different platforms, so that I could track where my backers come from.

Here are the results. Can you guess the top performers?

Let's do a countdown:

Bluesky (0%)

Effort: 6 posts to 466 followers. Zero conversions.

Substack (0.46%)

Effort: 3 notes to 475 followers. (I wasn't able to write a newsletter in time, might have influenced it)

Zine month website (0.46%)

Effort: simply submitted my project via their form.

Instagram (0.84%)

Effort: A single post on launch to 662 followers

Threads (0.84%)

Effort: 8 posts to 374 followers

Discord (1.27%)

Effort: a single post on 21 servers that have a dedicated self-promo channel.

That was the second most underwhelming performance of all platforms. I usually get more traction from Discord.

Mastodon (1.69%)

Effort: 4 posts to 471 followers

Press kit (2.95%)

Effort: it was an afterthought and I only sent it to Rascal News (thanks, Lin!). I believe it is the only place where it was featured.

Tumblr (5.06%)

Effort: 1 post to 366 followers. Surprising!

Facebook (5.49%)

Effort: 1 post in 8 groups for a total of ~51k members

Reddit (6.33%)

Effort: A single post in 1 sub with 35k members. Pretty good.

Twitter (13.5%)

Effort: 55 posts to 3,400 followers. The most underwhelming effort/result ratio.

Itch e-mails (29.96%)

Effort: A single e-mail to 11,560 recipients.

Note: I use this tool very sparingly, and I am very transparent on the "it's ok to unsubscribe if you don't want to receive these". Be considerate of your recipients. DO NOT spam.

No data (31.22%)

Anti-climactic finish, I know.

Most of the backers came from non-referral links, so I am assuming Crowdfundr's launch e-mail (-200 recipients), other backers' and peers' organic sharing, and perhaps the Tabletop Non-Stop event spotlight by Crowdfundr.

Conclusions?

Hard to tell. My product (and platform) is very niche, and my avenues of reaching people are peculiar to me.

But from what I can tell, e-mail is still king. And (all the) Twitter(s) is (are) hardly worth the effort.

Tumblr and Reddit surprised me.

Again, that is a very particular result to this kind of product, my kind of strategy (or lack thereof), my audience and so on. YMMV.

Just thought I would share because I believe the indie space thrives with transparency and shared experiences. :)

By the way, this is the project in question:

[discuit]

Introducing Discuit: An Easy-to-Use, Open-Source Social Media Platform

Welcome to Discuit!

We are an open-source alternative to Reddit, although we have steadily been gaining a bigger audience from all over the internet.

On the 16th of June, 2023, Discuit was launched as a reaction to the Reddit drama regarding the forced shutdown of practically all of its 3rd-party apps and tools. It was a pretty barebones platform at first, with only one main community, and only text posts.

Now, about 8 months later, Discuit has over 5000 users, and is still slowly but surely growing. We've gotten many more features, such as different post types, the ability to request your own community, and several 3rd-party tools are being developed!

Right now, you might thinking "Hey, this platform seems nice, but what makes it different?" It is, after all, made as an alternative to Reddit- it's not really its own platform, some could say.

And, well, there are a few things!

First of all, one of Discuit's main goals is to prevent the enshittification that caused Reddit's decay. This means that our monetisation strategy will not revolve around ads, ever. All we have in terms of monetisation at the moment is a Patreon, the proceeds of which far exceed our current hosting costs. In the future, we might add things like Discuit Premium (similar to things like Discord Nitro), which adds some cosmetic options. We may also add a feature similar to Reddit's Awards, but at the moment, neither of these are necessary.

Another of Discuit's core goals is quite similar to what makes Tumblr so beloved among its users; a lack of algorithm. There are no addicting strategies to keep users here: no requiring registration simply to view content, no popups asking you to sign up every single time you navigate to a new page, a mobile browser experience that doesn't suck in order to drive people to the app, the ability to turn off infinite scroll- it's all here, and more will come in the future.

Discuit is not designed to be as attention-grabbing possible, unlike most platforms nowadays. It's simply a community, and that's what makes it so awesome.

The third of our core principles is the ability to customise as much as possible about your experience. Right now, these options are relatively simple, and mostly include the ability to disable infinite scroll, but they will be expanded upon in the future. Users will eventually be able to filter out all low-effort/meme content, for example, and only see the really good stuff. Or the inverse, if you're just looking for the memes.

Communities will also have more customisation options. These will include things like a "point" (somewhat like Reddit Karma) requirement before being able to join or post in a community, options for more experienced users to be able to help the moderation team using a flagging system, and much more.

If all of this sounds like your cup of tea, then come on over to discuit.net! We have a wonderful community there, and we'd love to see you there!

If you're still curious about the site, we have a few places where you can find more information:

Discuit's Substack (Note that the few posts we have here are relatively old, and may be outdated.)

Discuit's GitHub repository (Not necessarily for finding information, but you can look/add to the code behind the platform here!)

Discuit's most official community, Discuit! This is where all major announcements regarding the platform are posted, and where you can find the latest version of the roadmap.

Thanks a ton for reading! We hope you have a good time with us.

With love,

The Discuit Admin Team

[ameliasoulturner]

Why Most Writers Stay Broke While I Built a Simple System That Actually Pays

If you're someone who’s been grinding away at writing blogs, publishing on Medium or Substack, or trying to get traction with affiliate content — only to hear crickets — I get you. I was in the same boat. I’d pour hours into a piece, hit publish, and then... nothing. Maybe five clicks. Maybe one read. It was disheartening.

But all that changed when I stopped just writing and started building a system.

This isn’t some magic traffic fairy. It’s a repeatable, scalable structure that turned my blog from invisible to viral — and now earns me over $1,000 a month, consistently.

Here’s exactly what I did — and what you can start doing today.

Why Most Writers Stay Invisible

Let’s be honest — most writers believe that great content will speak for itself. But in 2025, when millions of posts go live every day, that’s like whispering in a stadium during the Super Bowl.

If you don’t have a system for visibility, your writing will drown.

And let’s clear this up: going viral is not about luck. It’s about strategy, timing, consistency, and knowing how platforms work. Once I cracked that code, everything changed.

Here’s the full blueprint.

Step 1: Stop Treating Content Like a One-Off

Every time you write something, think of it as a product, not a post. That mindset shift alone will put you ahead of 90% of writers.

I created a content ecosystem, not random blog posts. That meant every article connected with:

A problem my audience actually cared about

A keyword I could rank for (SEO matters)

An affiliate product, lead magnet, or offer

A follow-up or related post for retention

My goal wasn’t to post often — it was to post intentionally.

Step 2: Build a 3-Tier Content Funnel

Once I had the mindset locked, I started structuring my blog into 3 tiers:

1. Discovery Content – SEO-driven, listicles, or hooks that get traffic from Google, Pinterest, and Reddit. These were built around trending questions or pain points.

Example: “Why No One’s Reading Your Blog — And 5 Things to Fix Today”

2. Connection Content – Stories, case studies, or raw, honest takes that create loyalty. These posts turn casual readers into subscribers.

Example: “The Day I Almost Quit Writing — And What Saved Me”

3. Monetization Content – Reviews, comparisons, tutorials, or resources that included affiliate links, digital products, or services.

Example: “Best AI Tools I Use to Write 5X Faster and Earn on Autopilot”

Each piece played a role in the system. The discovery content brought in traffic. The connection content kept them. The monetization content earned the money.

Step 3: Treat Promotion Like a Full-Time Job (Because It Is)

Most writers hit publish and pray. I hit publish and promote like a beast for at least 7 days.

Here’s how my promotion cycle looks:

Day 1:

Share on Twitter (now X), using a hook thread

Post on Reddit (in niche subreddits like r/Entrepreneur or r/SideHustle)

Submit to Medium publications

Day 2–3:

Share 2–3 image quotes on Pinterest

Turn the blog into a carousel for LinkedIn or Instagram

Upload a short video version on YouTube Shorts with blog CTA

Day 4–7:

Answer related Quora questions and drop the blog link

Submit to Hacker News or GrowthHackers if relevant

Send to my email list with a personal story intro

By the end of the week, I had between 700 to 1,200 unique views. Multiply that by 4 weeks, and you get consistent traffic — the kind you can build a business on.

Step 4: Automate and Scale Without Losing Your Mind

I didn’t want to spend 6 hours a day just promoting, so I built automation:

Notion to plan and calendar every content piece and promo step

Zapier to auto-post to Twitter and Pinterest from my blog

Canva Pro templates for blog visuals, Pinterest pins, and Instagram reels

Repurpose.io to convert blog excerpts into audio and video snippets

This system gave me my time back — and kept my content moving 24/7.

Step 5: Monetize in Layers

I didn’t slap ads on my blog and hope for the best.

Instead, I focused on intentional monetization:

Affiliate Marketing: Each monetization post included 1–3 affiliate links to tools I used. These weren’t spammy — they were natural recommendations based on real use.

Info Products: Once I saw what my audience wanted (e.g., how to grow traffic, how to write better blog titles), I built a $9 guide, then a $29 mini-course. Easy upsells.

Sponsored Emails: With over 1,500 email subscribers from my blog in 60 days, I started accepting relevant sponsors. One campaign paid me $350 for a single send.

All of this added up to $1K+ months within 3 months, and I’ve been scaling ever since.

Bonus Tip: Ride What’s Trending (But Make It Yours)

I didn’t just write random stuff — I rode waves. Here’s how:

Used Google Trends and Exploding Topics to spot new searches

Created articles around trending tools (like “Best AI Writing Tools in 2025”)

Jumped on seasonal content (e.g., “Q4 Content Strategy That Pays in Holiday Season”)

Used Twitter/X search to see what people complained about — then solved it

I stayed true to my voice, but always positioned it within what people were already hungry for.

The Real Secret? Consistency and Systems

I know you’ve heard this before — but here’s the deal:

Your writing doesn’t need to be perfect. Your system does.

This isn’t about going viral once. It’s about getting steady attention every day that turns into real income.

And when you have a system, even your bad days still produce results.

So, What Should You Do Now?

If you’re still stuck in the “write and hope” phase, I get it. But here’s what I suggest:

Pick a niche you enjoy and can monetize (think: AI tools, self-improvement, productivity, finance)

Create a 3-tier content plan — discovery, connection, monetization

Build your promotion checklist (start simple — Quora, Reddit, Twitter)

Set up 1 affiliate program or product link per monetization article

Commit to 90 days of writing + promotion + list-building

You don’t need 100 posts. You need a handful of smart posts that are visible, valuable, and promoted like crazy.

Once that’s rolling, the system takes over.

And that’s how you go from invisible… to viral.

[jamesh2025smith]

 If I Had to Build an Audience from Zero Today, Here’s What I Would Do

In today’s digital landscape, building an audience from scratch may feel overwhelming—but it’s far from impossible. The tools, platforms, and strategies available in 2025 offer more opportunity than ever before. Whether you're a content creator, entrepreneur, coach, or aspiring influencer, a loyal audience is your most valuable asset.

If I had to start from zero today, here’s exactly what I’d do.

Choose a Clear Niche (But Leave Room to Evolve) Clarity wins. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, I’d pick a specific niche that aligns with my passions, skills, and market demand. This could be productivity for remote workers, storytelling for small business owners, or minimalist design for content creators.

Why this matters: Specificity helps you stand out. It also attracts people who care deeply about what you’re offering, not just casual scrollers.

Tip: Validate the niche by searching on platforms like Reddit, YouTube, or TikTok to ensure people are actively engaging in that space.

Choose One Core Platform (Then Repurpose) Trying to master five platforms at once is a trap. I’d choose one primary channel based on my strengths:

If I love writing: Twitter (X), LinkedIn, or Substack.

If I enjoy talking: Podcasting or YouTube.

If I prefer short, visual content: TikTok or Instagram Reels.

Once I build momentum, I’d repurpose that content across other platforms to increase reach without burning out.

Example: A YouTube video becomes a podcast, multiple tweets, a blog post, and 2–3 Instagram Reels.

Create “Magnet Content” with a Clear POV Not all content is created equal. I’d focus on creating “magnet content”—posts or videos that express a clear point of view, solve real problems, or challenge the status quo.

This includes:

Hot takes or unpopular opinions

Step-by-step guides and playbooks

Personal stories with transformation

“What I wish I knew” posts

People don’t follow content—they follow perspective.

Engage Proactively, Not Just Passively Most beginners hit “publish” and wait. I’d do the opposite. Every day, I’d:

Leave thoughtful comments on popular creators in my niche

Respond to every comment on my posts

DM new followers with a thank-you or value-add message

Audience growth is 50% content, 50% community. If you show up in conversations, you’ll get noticed.

Offer a Simple Lead Magnet Early On Even with 100 followers, I’d offer a lead magnet—something like a short PDF guide, checklist, or template—and build an email list right away.

This way, I’m not at the mercy of platform algorithms. I’d also start sending regular emails to build deeper trust.

Collaborate with Other Creators One of the fastest ways to grow from zero is to borrow audiences through collaboration. This could be:

Guest posts or podcast appearances

Co-hosted live sessions or webinars

Cross-promotions via newsletters or Reels

When starting from scratch, your network becomes your best amplifier.

Show Up Consistently for 90 Days Most people quit too early. If I were starting over, I’d commit to 90 days of consistent output, measuring progress not by followers, but by:

Quality of conversations

Skill improvement

Content performance (engagement, shares)

Momentum doesn’t come overnight—but 90 days is enough to see real traction.

Share the Journey, Not Just the Destination People don’t relate to perfect—they relate to progress. I’d document the journey of building my audience from scratch. Every week, I’d share:

Lessons I’m learning

Wins and struggles

Behind-the-scenes process

This makes content feel authentic and brings people along for the ride.

Final Thoughts Starting from zero can be your greatest advantage—you have nothing to lose and everything to experiment with. Focus on clarity, consistency, and community. Build real relationships. Share real value. Be relentlessly helpful, and your audience will come.

Remember: your first 100 followers matter more than your first 10,000. Treat them like gold.

Would you like this article formatted for LinkedIn, Substack, or turned into a video script?

[techit-rp]

How Gen Z is Disrupting the Investment Landscape: Social Media, Crypto, and DIY Trading in 2025

In recent years, Gen Z—the digital natives born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s—have taken the financial world by storm. Unlike previous generations, they aren’t waiting to turn 30 before dipping their toes into investing. They’re doing it now—and doing it differently. From meme stocks to cryptocurrencies and TikTok finance gurus, Gen Z is rewriting the rules of investing in real time. In 2025, their influence is more significant than ever, and the investment landscape will never be the same.

The Rise of the Gen Z Investor

What sets Gen Z apart is their digital-first mindset. Having grown up with smartphones, social media, and instant access to information, they are self-directed, informed, and bold. They’re not relying on traditional financial advisors—they’re making investment decisions based on YouTube explainers, Twitter threads, and Substack newsletters.

According to a 2024 report by Charles Schwab, over 60% of Gen Z investors in the U.S. and India started investing before the age of 21. This is a stark contrast to millennials and Gen X, who typically began investing much later.

Social Media as a Financial Classroom

From TikTok finance influencers to Instagram reels breaking down the basics of stock market investing, social media is the new financial literacy hub for Gen Z. In India, creators like @FinfluencerIndia and @StockSikh have racked up millions of views with quick, digestible tips on personal finance and investing.

However, this trend isn’t without risks. The abundance of unregulated advice has also led to uninformed decision-making, highlighting the need for structured financial education alongside digital content.

Meme Stocks and Virality-Driven Investing

Gen Z investors played a central role in turning stocks like GameStop and AMC into viral sensations. In India, Zomato, Paytm, and Nykaa IPOs saw major buzz on Reddit and YouTube, driving massive youth participation.

This trend—called virality-driven investing—is based on collective sentiment, not traditional valuation. It’s high-risk, high-reward, and reflective of Gen Z’s appetite for quick wins and bold plays.

Crypto: A Parallel Financial Universe

Gen Z is also the most crypto-savvy generation. They see digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana not just as investment opportunities but as components of a new financial system.

In India, despite regulatory uncertainty, youth adoption of crypto remains strong. Platforms like CoinDCX, WazirX, and Binance report that over 60% of their users are under 30. The appeal lies in decentralization, accessibility, and the potential for outsized returns.

DIY Trading Platforms: Empowering the Individual Investor

Traditional brokerages are making way for slick, app-based platforms like Zerodha, Upstox, Groww, and INDmoney. These tools have made investing as easy as ordering food online.

Gen Z prefers platforms that are:

Mobile-first

Low or zero commission

Gamified and user-friendly

They love features like real-time alerts, auto-invest options, and community forums. This DIY spirit aligns with their broader ethos of self-reliance and transparency.

ESG and Impact Investing: Profits with a Purpose

Beyond chasing profits, Gen Z is also deeply committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. They are drawn to companies that support sustainability, diversity, and ethical governance.

A study by Morgan Stanley shows that over 85% of Gen Z investors are interested in sustainable investing. Mutual funds, ETFs, and stocks with strong ESG credentials are seeing inflows from this demographic.

What This Means for the Future of Finance

As Gen Z continues to gain financial power, traditional institutions—banks, wealth managers, and investment firms—will need to evolve:

Adopt digital-first strategies

Integrate AI and personalized recommendations

Provide educational content and social features

Offer ESG-aligned products

Forward-thinking financial institutions are already building digital ecosystems tailored to Gen Z’s values and habits.

Bridging the Gap: Why Financial Education Still Matters

While Gen Z’s enthusiasm for investing is commendable, it often comes with a steep learning curve. Many young investors are entering markets without foundational knowledge of risk, diversification, or macroeconomic trends.

That’s where structured financial education, such as an investment banking course in Mumbai, becomes invaluable. A program like this provides:

Core knowledge in finance, equity research, and M&A

Hands-on exposure to financial modeling and valuation

Real-world case studies and simulations

Access to industry mentors and recruiters

For those in Mumbai—a financial hub buzzing with opportunity—enrolling in an investment banking course can be the gateway to a fulfilling career in finance, whether you aim to work at a top-tier bank, fintech startup, or become a savvy investor yourself.

Final Thoughts: The Future Belongs to the Bold

Gen Z is bold, fast-moving, and unapologetically disruptive. While their approach to investing may raise eyebrows among traditionalists, it is also ushering in a new era of financial democratization and innovation.

As long as it's coupled with sound education and strategic thinking, the Gen Z investment revolution might just be the catalyst the world of finance needs.

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

The Strategic Move: ILLUMINATION Community’s Commercial Arm for Charitable Success

The ILLUMINATION publications have been providing full free service to all community members, now made up of 32,000+ freelance writers globally through our volunteer workforce on Medium.com since March 2020. It has been an absolute pleasure for our team o

Discover the Strategic Benefits and Impact on Our Nonprofit Mission and Join Our Exciting Journey for Freelance Writers Globally Dear Writers and Readers,  Medium is a wonderful community and now we are integrating and enhancing its value it with Substack community to give a competitive advantage to our writers and delight our readers better with new synergistic input. Collaboration for writers…

[xpressluna]

I Tried 6 Writing Platforms to Make Money – Here's What I Learned

I Tried 6 Writing Platforms to Make Money – Here's What I Learned

The idea of making money online through writing is both exciting and intimidating. As a freelance writer and content creator, I decided to test six popular platforms that promise writers an opportunity to earn. My goal was to assess ease of use, earning potential, and overall experience. Here's my honest breakdown of what I found after trying each one.

Medium Partner Program

How it works: You earn money based on member reading time. The more engagement your story gets, the more you earn.

My experience: Medium is incredibly user-friendly and has a built-in audience. I published three articles that were SEO-optimized and shared on Twitter and Reddit. Within two weeks, I earned $23.50.

Pros:

Clean, distraction-free interface.

Great exposure if you're featured by publications.

Encourages good storytelling.

Cons:

Income depends heavily on algorithm visibility.

Need Medium membership to fully interact.

Verdict: Great for thought pieces and essays, but don’t expect fast cash unless you build a following.

Vocal Media

How it works: Writers earn money based on reads and can enter paid challenges.

My experience: I posted two articles and shared them on Facebook groups. The traffic wasn’t huge, and I made about $4.80 in the first month. Their bonus for top-performing stories helps, but competition is fierce.

Pros:

Low barrier to entry.

Frequent themed challenges.

Decent layout customization.

Cons:

Very low RPM (revenue per 1,000 views).

You need Vocal+ (paid membership) for maximum benefits.

Verdict: Use it if you're in it for the long game or enjoy niche communities.

Substack

How it works: It's a newsletter platform. You can earn by charging subscribers a monthly fee.

My experience: This one requires commitment. I started a free newsletter and after a month, gained 54 subscribers. I haven’t monetized yet, but the platform has major potential if you're consistent and deliver high-value content.

Pros:

Full control over your mailing list.

Great monetization if you have a niche.

Supports both free and paid tiers.

Cons:

Growth takes time.

You have to market yourself constantly.

Verdict: Best for writers building a personal brand or writing regularly on a topic.

Textbroker

How it works: Clients order content, and you fulfill it based on your star rating (which affects pay).

My experience: I was rated 4 stars after submitting a writing sample. I completed 5 short assignments and earned $37. It’s decent for quick cash, but the topics are dry.

Pros:

Immediate earning potential.

Flexible work schedule.

Cons:

Pay per word is low.

Quality of assignments varies widely.

Verdict: Good for making side cash, but not ideal for creative writers.

Fiverr

How it works: You set up writing “gigs” and get hired for specific tasks.

My experience: I set up a gig for blog writing at $25article. I got one order in my first month and made $20 after fees. Fiverr is saturated, so getting noticed takes smart SEO and patience.

Pros:

You set your own rates.

Wide range of writing services possible.

Cons:

High competition.

Fiverr takes a 20% cut.

Verdict: Best for freelancers who treat it like a business.

HubPages

How it works: You write informative articles and earn via ad revenue and affiliate links.

My experience: I repurposed an old blog post and published it. I made $1.25 in the first month. Traffic is slow without SEO, but passive income is possible over time.

Pros:

Long-term passive income.

Focus on informative, evergreen content.

Cons:

Earnings start slow.

Site design feels outdated.

Verdict: Ideal for evergreen content writers who know SEO basics.

Final Thoughts

Writing online for money isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s entirely possible with the right strategy. Here’s a quick summary:

| Platform | Best For | My Earnings (1st Month) | | Medium | Thoughtful, viral content | $23.50 | | Vocal Media | Casual niche writers | $4.80 | | Substack | Newsletter creators | $0 (not monetized yet) | | Textbroker | Quick freelance tasks | $37 | | Fiverr | Client-based freelance work | $20 | | HubPages | Evergreen, SEO-driven content | $1.25 |

Total Earnings: $86.55

Each platform has its pros and cons, and success varies based on your style, niche, and effort. My advice? Start with one or two, test your comfort zone, and evolve from there.

[geopolicraticus]

Friday 28 February 2025

Grand Strategy Newsletter

The View from Oregon – 330

The Re-Founding of Univocal Sciences

…in which I discuss reticulate science, Haskell Fain, interdisciplinarity, univocal disciplines, as-yet-unformulated sciences, polluted white dwarfs, planetology, exogeology, astrobiology, re-founding univocal sciences, and the siren song of universality…

Substack: https://geopolicraticus.substack.com/p/the-re-founding-of-univocal-sciences

Medium: https://jnnielsen.medium.com/the-re-founding-of-univocal-sciences-deb3fc97af21

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/The_View_from_Oregon/comments/1j4irdc/the_refounding_of_univocal_sciences/

[heswrongshesright]

Bill Belichick Beach, Michigan March Madness, Angry Angel Reese, & My Mental - HWSR Ep 150

Join us in this milestone episode of the 'He's Wrong She's Right' podcast as we celebrate our one-year anniversary and aim to reach our goal of 5,000 subscribers! We discuss a variety of hot topics, starting with humorous demands for more money and our joy at gaining 900 subscribers in just 15 days. We exchange playful banter about a Michigan dad bromance, ponder the location of Gonzaga, and express gratitude for our subscribers while marking St. Patrick's Day.

This episode features in-depth sports talk, including the ongoing news about Angel Reeves and Caitlin Clark, Michigan's performance against Wisconsin, and detailed college basketball insights and predictions. We also offer a comprehensive breakdown of the March Madness bracket and share our thoughts on Angel Reese's controversial threats to sit out the WNBA season for higher pay. Discussions extend to LeBron's son, sports nepotism, and the importance of drama in sports.

Additionally, we touch on Sean Ryan's strategic name use, Bill Belichick's new social media strategy, and a track incident controversy. This episode is packed with engaging conversations and is a special celebration of our journey to 150 episodes. Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe as we conclude our current giveaway and reveal an exciting new one!

Watch our latest episode here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL143tthLyKksSpobT1DBRCuM83GB-JkEx 

Join the channel to get access to perks:

Visit our website https://heswrongshesright.com

All HWSR Links https://heswrongshesright.com/links

Sponsor inquiries https://heswrongshesright.com/sponsors/

Get a Shoutout in a future episode or check out the merch https://heswrongshesright.com/shop/

Donate to https://youtube.com/@veteranwiki by visiting https://veteranwiki.org

https://youtube.com/@LemacksMedia https://lemacksmedia.com

Nóna Phelps - Independent Insurance https://nonaphelps.com

Social Media

YouTube https://lemacks.app/hwsryt

Twitter (X) https://lemacks.app/hwsrtwitter

Facebook https://lemacks.app/hwsrfb

Instagram https://lemacks.app/hwsrig

Reddit https://lemacks.app/hwsrreddit

Tumblr https://lemacks.app/hwsrtumblr

Pinterest https://lemacks.app/hwsrpinterest

LinkedIn https://lemacks.app/hwsrlinkedin

Bluesky https://lemacks.app/hwsrbluesky

Mastodon https://lemacks.app/hwsrmastodon

IMDb https://lemacks.app/hwsrimdb 

TikTok https://lemacks.app/hwsrtiktok 

Podcasts

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HesWrongShesRight

Substack https://lemacks.app/hwsrsubstack 

Patreon https://lemacks.app/hwsrpatron

Spotify https://lemacks.app/hwsrspotify

Apple https://lemacks.app/hwsrapple

Amazon https://lemacks.app/hwsramazon

iHeart https://lemacks.app/iheartradio

PocketCast https://lemacks.app/pocketcast

Rumble https://lemacks.app/hwsrrumble

Deezer https://lemacks.app/hwsrdeezer

RSS Feeds

FeedBurner https://lemacks.app/feedburner

Spotify https://lemacks.app/spotifyrss

00:00 Demanding More Money

00:12 Celebrating Milestones

02:20 Sports Talk: College Basketball

03:23 Michigan vs. Wisconsin

06:37 March Madness Predictions

16:30 Angel Reese's Strike

18:12 Reflecting on Age and Headlines

19:29 The Sean Ryan Strategy

21:11 Angel Reese and WNBA Pay Dispute

22:10 LeBron's Son and Sports Nepotism

24:10 The Importance of Sports Drama

29:40 Bill Belichick's Social Media Strategy

31:25 Track Incident Controversy

37:06 Episode 150 Milestone and Giveaway

#AmericasPodcast #AndrewLemacks #NonaPhelps #HesWrongShesRight #HWSR #ImRightHesWrong #Podcast #1YearCelebration #MarchMadness #Bracketology #MichiganBasketball #AngelReese #CaitlinClark #SeanRyanShow #SeanRyanArrest #BronyJames #BillBelichick #SubscriberGiveaway

[chanchalpal]

"Beyond Websites: How to Blog Successfully in the Digital Age"

Summary :

"Beyond Websites: How to Blog Successfully in the Digital Age" is a comprehensive guide that explores unconventional methods for blogging without traditional websites. It covers various alternative platforms, such as social media, Medium, YouTube, podcasts, and more. This resource helps content creators understand how to effectively share their ideas and expertise in the ever-evolving digital landscape. It discusses strategies, tools, and tips to engage with audiences, build a following, and achieve success in the world of web-free blogging.

Description :

In the digital age, blogging has evolved well beyond the confines of traditional websites. "Beyond Websites: How to Blog Successfully in the Digital Age" is a comprehensive and insightful guide that delves into the exciting world of web-free blogging, exploring innovative methods to share your ideas and expertise with a global audience.

Blogging has grown into a multifaceted medium with a plethora of unconventional platforms. In this dynamic landscape, aspiring bloggers and content creators need to adapt and embrace diverse channels to reach their target audience effectively. This guide is designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools required to navigate this changing landscape, uncover the full spectrum of blogging possibilities, and master the art of digital storytelling without the constraints of a traditional website.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Social Media Microblogging: The guide kicks off by exploring the potential of social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for microblogging. You'll learn how to craft engaging posts, captions, and stories to connect with your audience and build a dedicated following. Tips and strategies for harnessing the power of hashtags, trends, and algorithms are also discussed.

2. Medium: Medium is an immensely popular platform for long-form content. Here, you'll discover how to create and optimize articles that cater to your specific niche. This section explains how to gain followers, navigate the Medium Partner Program, and potentially earn income from your writing.

3. LinkedIn Articles: If your content is professionally oriented, LinkedIn provides a fantastic avenue for sharing your knowledge and insights. Learn how to write and publish articles directly on the platform, engage with a professional network, and effectively communicate your expertise.

4. YouTube: Video content is an integral part of the modern digital landscape, and YouTube is a go-to platform for vlogging and content sharing. Discover how to create and upload videos, engage with your audience through comments and social media, and use video descriptions to provide context and information.

5. Podcasting: Podcasting offers a unique way to blog through audio content. This section provides guidance on starting a podcast, recording and editing episodes, and distributing your content to various platforms. Tips for engaging with your podcast's audience and growing your listener base are also included.

6. Email Newsletter: Email newsletters provide a direct channel to your audience's inboxes. The guide discusses how to create and send newsletters using platforms like Substack and Mailchimp. You'll explore strategies to gain and retain subscribers and monetize your newsletter if desired.

7. Guest Blogging: Sharing your content on established blogs or websites in your niche can help you tap into existing readerships. This section guides you on how to find suitable opportunities, pitch your guest posts, and build your portfolio as a writer.

8. Online Forums: Participating in online forums and communities like Reddit and Quora allows you to engage in discussions and share your expertise. Discover the strategies for using these platforms effectively and building your reputation.

9. Social Media Threads: Long-form content can also be created on social media platforms. Learn how to create and manage social media threads to delve into specific topics or share your insights in a more extended format.

10. E-Book Publishing: E-books are a powerful way to share in-depth content. This section explains how to write, format, and publish e-books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Discover how to leverage e-books as a source of income and expertise showcase.

11. Online Writing Communities: Wattpad is an example of an online writing community where you can publish and share your stories and creative writing. Learn how to connect with readers who appreciate fiction and creative content.

12. Medium Publications: Many Medium publications accept submissions from writers. This section guides you on finding suitable publications that align with your interests or expertise and submitting your articles to reach a broader audience.

13. Instagram Caption Blogging: Instagram's captions offer an opportunity for long-form content. Learn how to use this space effectively to share stories, insights, and thoughts with your followers.

14. Content Curation: Platforms like Flipboard and Pinterest allow you to curate content related to your niche. Discover how to organize and share interesting articles, images, and videos to build a following of people interested in your topic.

15. Guest Podcasting: For those who prefer spoken content, guest podcasting can be a great way to share your expertise. This section provides insights into being a guest on established podcasts in your field, showcasing your insights to a broader audience.

"Blogging Beyond Websites" is your passport to the modern, multifaceted world of content creation and digital storytelling. It equips you with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to become a successful web-free blogger, adapt to changing online landscapes, and engage with your audience in innovative and compelling ways. Whether you're a seasoned blogger looking to expand your reach or a newcomer seeking the best platform to start your journey, this guide will inspire, educate, and empower you to succeed in the digital age.

Author Bio:

Introduction: You kick off by welcoming your audience into your world of vlogging, where you share daily adventures, product reviews, travel vlogs, and get ready with me routines. This introduction provides a glimpse into the diverse content you offer, from travel enthusiasts to product aficionados.

Evolution of Your Blog: You mention how your blog has transformed into a vibrant community over the years. This evolution reflects a strong connection with your audience and their continued interest in your content.

Mission Statement: Your mission is clear: to provide valuable insights, tips, and creative ideas related to community and generation. This shows that you are dedicated to adding value to your viewers' lives and helping them explore and enjoy the world.

About Yourself: You introduce yourself as Chanchal, a 22-year-old vlogger and influencer from Delhi with a background in political honors. You express your dedication to your YouTube career and share a glimpse of your videos on your YouTube page. This personal touch helps viewers connect with you on a more relatable level.

Why You're the Best: You highlight your commitment to quality content over quantity, focusing on travel and lifestyle content. You express your passion for creating a diverse range of content that includes both fun and more serious themes. Your dedication to capturing the world through your lens and inspiring and motivating your audience is a compelling mission.

Closing: You emphasize that your vlog is your best friend and your life, which reflects your personal commitment and attachment to your work. You convey your mission of giving a voice to those who aren't heard, eyes to those who can't see, and ears to those who can't hear. This shows a deep sense of purpose in your vlogging journey.

In conclusion, your introduction and mission statement paint a picture of a dedicated and passionate vlogger who is committed to delivering quality content to a growing community. You inspire your viewers to explore, learn, create, and grow with you on your exciting vlogging journey.