How to Write for a Living
How to Write for a Living
209: How paid advertising can fit into your online growth strategy (featuring Landon Poburan)
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The full episode is only available to paid subscribers of How to Write for a Living

209: How paid advertising can fit into your online growth strategy (featuring Landon Poburan)

Do paid ads still work in 2025?

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Season 2, episode 9 is here!

In this episode, I chat with

about all things paid advertising. It’s a longer than usual because we had so much to discuss.

Here’s some of what we touched on in this one:

  • How to manage posting on multiple platforms

  • How to repurpose content (and when to not repurpose)

  • Why Facebook advertising is still a viable option in 2025

  • Which types of ads are most likely to convert subscribers

  • Why patience is always the key to finding success on Substack

If you’re interested in using paid ads to grow your audience and income, this is a great one for you.

And don’t forget to check out Landon’s book, The Art of Modern Media Buying, before you go!

Scroll down for the full video version of this episode (paid members only). 👇


If you’re thinking about starting a podcast of your own here on Substack, definitely give my course a try (it’s on sale right now!):

Want to advertise on How to Write for a Living? Just email hello@davidmcilroy.com.


I also share snippets from podcast episodes on my YouTube channel (feel free to subscribe when you’re there):


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What’s next?

I’m ready and waiting to support you in the next stages of your creator journey. Here’s how I can help:

  1. Start Your Podcast on Substack: A complete course guiding you from concept to launch, based on everything I’ve learned so far during my own podcasting journey. Learn to plan, brand, record, edit, publish, and promote your podcast while building an audience. Perfect for creators eager to share their voice with the world!

  2. Sustainable Scalable Social Strategy: This 6-part, online, self-driven course will guide you through the same process I used to develop a strategy for my social media management. When you finish, you’ll have a sustainable social strategy in place that will help you scale your business properly.

  3. One-To-One Coaching: Live coaching sessions over Zoom plus a full video audit of your Substack publication. Ideal for those who want to grow their online presence, identify their key strengths, and develop a long-term business strategy. Upgrade to Sustaining Membership for full access.

  4. Promote to 17,000+ readers: Get yourself in front of a highly-engaged online audience via email, podcast and social media.


📺 Paid members can watch the full video version of the episode below:

This post is for paid subscribers