
THE NEW SUBSTACK NOTES

I've coined a new theory of the Internet in 2025.
It’s the basis for my new company.
I call it the "Boutique Impact" Theory.
Five years ago, audience was king. Make content, build audience, profit. I know this firsthand. I served 7,000+ Write of Passage and Second Brain students, many of whom wanted to build an audience. Most people sharing on the Int... See more
It’s the basis for my new company.
I call it the "Boutique Impact" Theory.
Five years ago, audience was king. Make content, build audience, profit. I know this firsthand. I served 7,000+ Write of Passage and Second Brain students, many of whom wanted to build an audience. Most people sharing on the Int... See more
Will Mannon • Will Mannon on Substack
After gaining hundreds of new subscribers with their viral introduction posts or trend hopping, the engagement disappeared as quickly as their dopamine high.
They realized that it’s not about more subscribers—it’s about the right ones.
They realized that it’s not about more subscribers—it’s about the right ones.
Why Going Viral Might Actually Hurt Your Substack Growth

Ideas from George Mack:
1. Subprime audience - A creator optimising for size of audience and ending up with a junk audience. They end up producing content they themselves wouldn’t consume.
2. The forgetting paradox - Wordle outperformed every headline in society's consciousness for 2022. All the news everyone was worried outlasted by a novelty game..
... See more