Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson

Latest Episodes:

What’s Up THIS WEEK: Big Em Dash News!🫢GDPR getting Easier? Thanksgiving Issues! 😅 | Ep. 453 Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Getting ready for Thanksgiving has nothing on the chaos swirling around AI, privacy rules, and even Instagram trying to make you watch 20-minute reels. Before the turkey coma hits, Jay Schwedelson digs into everything from the death of the em dash to Google’s sneaky new flight deal superpower, plus a few very strong opinions on Netflix holiday movies. Somehow it all ties together in a way that’ll make your week a little smarter and a lot funnier.

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Best Moments:

(00:00) ChatGPT finally admits the M dash problem and promises to stop abusing it

(01:41) Europe’s Digital Omnibus plan could loosen GDPR and ease cookie consent madness

(03:28) Instagram quietly tests 20-minute reels, and Jay cannot handle it

(04:00) Google’s AI-powered flight deals tool is officially rolled out and wildly useful

(05:17) Three preheader words that just boosted email open rates by 19 percent

(06:44) Jay’s brutally honest reviews of The Beast in Me and Merry Little Ex Christmas

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

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Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

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Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

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Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

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Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

SPECIAL SERIES ==> Growing Email Tactic in 2026! and Daniel's Thanksgiving Plan <== | BATHROOM Break #83 COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Holiday email engagement is somehow both nerdy and genuinely fun here, as Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray use Thanksgiving food opinions, Hallmark movies, and Bathroom-Break banter to get into why replies matter way more than most marketers think. They dig into how to engineer responses in your emails and stories, why reply rate is a killer signal for both humans and algorithms, and how AI plus simple prompts like “Reply GUIDE” can quietly blow up your results. It’s basically a playbook for turning “one-way” campaigns into conversations people actually want to have.

Follow Daniel on LinkedIn and check out The Marketing Millennials podcast for sharp, no-fluff marketing insights. Subscribe to Ari Murray’s newsletter at gotomillions.co for sharp, actionable marketing insights.

Best Moments:

(00:50) Daniel shares his not-so-traditional Thanksgiving background and why dry turkey is an instant no.

(02:06) Jay’s hard rule for Thanksgiving dinner: mac and cheese is required, salad is banned.

(02:49) Jay explains why the reply rate on promotional emails is about to explode thanks to AI and better follow-up.

(03:28) Daniel’s tricks for prompting real human replies, from light personal questions to hidden Easter eggs in the middle of an email.

(05:20) Jay’s “just reply GUIDE” tactic for content and discounts that crushes landing page forms and boosts inbox placement.

(07:14) Daniel shows how the same reply mindset on Instagram Stories boosts distribution while keeping interactions feeling human.

(09:28) They break down how replies become a goldmine of first-party data and even shape future content topics like reality TV.

(09:49) A rapid-fire holiday movie riff that goes from Die Hard and Home Alone to The Grinch, romcoms, and why Hallmark is secretly elite.

(11:15) Jay and Daniel pitch their very on-brand Thanksgiving “gain 5 pounds, then lose it” logic as the ultimate holiday hack.

Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

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Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

Cvent Head of Global Events: PTO Matters! Embrace Career Turns!🔥w/Rachel Andrews | Ep. 451 Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Event folks like to joke about chaos, but Jay Schwedelson and Rachel Andrews get into what it actually takes to build a career inside that chaos. Rachel shares how she went from school events and holiday parties to leading a massive global events program, why “embrace the suck” is secretly great career advice, and what is really changing for attendees on-site. They also talk about burnout, boundaries, and how to build networking formats that do not make introverts want to hide by the coffee station.

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Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn and check out Cvent CONNECT in Nashville, her “big family reunion” style industry event that brings together event pros and event technologists from across the world.

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Best Moments:

(01:45) Rachel’s oldest-child energy, early love of bringing people together, and the moment she realized she wanted the events side, not PR.

(05:10) How saying yes to “small” assignments like a company holiday party turned into a 15-year path to leading events at a huge brand.

(08:05) Why attendees keep begging for “more networking” and how Rachel designs formats that actually work for introverts and ambiverts.

(11:15) The problem with topic tables that go nowhere and how facilitators and “influencer hosts” can make roundtables worth showing up for.

(14:10) Rachel’s honest take on burnout, the myth of “do more with less,” and why she fiercely protects PTO and being present with her family.

(17:20) What 1,000 last-minute registrations revealed about attendee behavior and how she is feeling about event budgets and growth heading into 2026.

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

Ask Us ANYTHING: 5 Easy December Marketing Tests for B2B and Consumer! (and Non-Profit) | Ep. 450 Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

If you’re scrambling for a few last marketing wins before everyone mentally checks out for the holidays, Jay Schwedelson has you. He runs through ridiculously simple, data-backed plays you can still pull off in December to drive engagement, then pivots to underrated holiday movie picks you probably forgot existed. It’s fast, a little unhinged, and full of ideas you can steal right away.

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Best Moments:

(01:12) Jerry’s question about easy, last minute tactics to drive end of year engagement before everyone checks out.

(02:00) The holiday team photo or video that boosts social engagement by 400 percent and opens the door for casual DMs that build real relationships.

(03:12) Turning your email signature into December gold with a holiday thank you and a “best of 2025” content link that quietly drives 40 percent more clicks.

(05:00) Why December is the cheat code month for testimonial outreach, with a 500 percent lift in submissions you can repurpose all year long.

(06:33) Running simple end of year and next year polls that tap into everyone’s reflective mood and earn 250 percent higher engagement.

(08:00) Jay’s offbeat holiday watchlist from The Holiday and Love Actually to his all time favorite, The Family Man, plus a passionate defense of Thanksgiving classics.

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

What’s Up THIS WEEK: #1 December Content Format! (Spotify Wrapped Your Marketing!) AND 🪄Wicked for Good? 🪄 | Ep. 449 Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

If you’re looking for a quick spark for your marketing this week, this one’s packed with clever timing plays and wild cultural moments that Jay Schwedelson breaks down with zero fluff. From riding the wave of Spotify Wrapped to the bizarre reality of Brown Friday, he pulls out the stuff brands can actually use right now and the stuff that’s just too ridiculous not to mention.

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Best Moments:

(00:00) Why jumping on Spotify Wrapped is the smartest content move you can make this week

(01:45) The wild engagement bump brands get when they launch Wrapped style content

(04:09) The extremely real and extremely gross reason the day after Thanksgiving is called Brown Friday

(05:30) Why unsubscribe rates skyrocket this time of year and why it’s not your fault

(06:59) Jenna Bush Hager had 19 bridesmaids and Jay cannot process it

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

SPECIAL SERIES ==> 20% Click-Through Increase! B2B + B2C Animated GIFs are GOLD💡 <== | BATHROOM Break #82 COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Moving chaos, forgotten boxes, and the universal struggle of figuring out where the bathroom is in a new place somehow turn into the perfect setup for a smart chat about a wildly overlooked email tactic. You’ll hear how adding a simple animated gif can lift clicks, stop the scroll, and make your emails feel more alive, all thanks to the always blunt brilliance of Jay Schwedelson and the ever-game-for-any-topic energy of Daniel Murray.

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Best Moments:

(01:01) Jay admits he’d help Daniel move but really, absolutely would not

(01:43) Daniel predicts the inevitable two-week unpacking saga

(03:00) Daniel breaks down why gifs instantly stop the scroll

(03:32) Jay explains how animated gifs lift click rates by about 20 percent

(05:00) Daniel shares how to turn video moments into compelling gif teasers

(07:40) Jay reminds everyone that AI makes creating gifs ridiculously simple

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

TED Chief Program & Strategy Officer: Career Growth Secrets ‼️ GUEST!! Monique Ruff-Bell | Ep. 447 Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

If your career path feels like a loop instead of a launchpad, this candid convo is your blueprint for building something smarter on purpose. Jay Schwedelson and Monique Ruff-Bell - Chief Program & Strategy Officer, TED - get into how to stop waiting for permission, add new lanes to your skill set, and turn curiosity, courage, and "how can I help?" into real leadership opportunities.

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Connect with Monique on LinkedIn and use her Linktree to dig into her talks, leadership insights, and ways to learn from her work.

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Best Moments:

(01:09) Monique traces a 25 year journey across events, media, and fintech into a TED leadership role created specifically for how she operates.

(02:57) The lightbulb moment where she rejects a single lane career and starts intentionally stacking cross functional skills to become executive ready.

(06:09) A playbook for embedding with sales, joining calls, shaping packages, and becoming the revenue partner everyone wants on their side.

(09:01) How offering help first naturally turns senior relationships into real mentorship and sponsorship without the cringey formal ask.

(14:30) The story of jumping too fast for a new role, why it backfired, and how it reshaped how she evaluates growth and red flags.

(16:32) Behind the scenes at TED on why powerful talks are built around one sharp idea, supported by story, rigor, and serious coaching.

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446 Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever wondered how to revive a dead email list or why people make a hard left into the airplane bathroom before takeoff, this one’s for you. Jay Schwedelson dives into his two favorite tactics to wake up unengaged subscribers before year-end—plus manages to work in an oddly passionate defense of Spirit Airlines. It’s classic Jay: part marketing brilliance, part relatable chaos.

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Best Moments:

(01:32) Why year-end is the best time to send “letter-style” emails from an executive

(02:00) How a “note from the founder” subject line boosts open rates by 40%

(03:00) The secret power of “verification” emails for reengagement

(04:24) Subject line examples that actually make people click again

(06:15) Jay’s unexpected love story with Spirit Airlines

(07:41) The mystery of people who immediately use the plane bathroom

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

What’s Up THIS WEEK: 6-7 is Over! Hallmark Movies! Lo-Fi Content Crushing it! 🥯 | Ep. 445 Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Bagel Bites just killed a meme, and Jay Schwedelson is here for it. From frozen snacks trying to be cool to the surprising power of lo-fi content, Jay breaks down what’s trending, what’s actually useful for marketers, and even how to hide your Instagram stories before you ruin a holiday surprise. Oh, and somehow it all ends with Hallmark movies and Mormon wives—because of course it does.

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Best Moments:

(00:25) Bagel Bites tries to join the “six seven” trend—and proves it’s officially over

(01:47) Why leaning into the moment works, even when the joke’s dead

(02:15) New data showing lo-fi content crushes polished posts across every platform

(03:17) “Humanity is the algorithm” and why that matters more than ever in the AI era

(04:00) The Instagram privacy setting everyone should use during the holidays

(05:15) A confession about Hallmark movies and an absurd stat on how many one actress has done

(06:00) From cozy Christmas flicks to chaos—Jay’s watching habits take a turn

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

ㅤ

Check out Jay Schwedelson's new book: Stupider People Have Done It

All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

ㅤ

Subscribe to Jay's newsletter for weekly marketing tips and tactics: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/newsletter

ㅤ

Check out Eventastic (FREE + VIRTUAL!) https://www.eventastic.com

ㅤ

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schwedelson/

Check out Jay's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson

Check out Jay's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/

Ask Jay anything: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/ask

ㅤ

Leave a comment and follow the show, it really helps us out!

SPECIAL SERIES ==> Right Now! ‘Most’ = Massive Engagement Boost! Easy test to try!! <== | BATHROOM Break #81 COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

The holiday season brings a different kind of marketing energy, and Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray are all about helping you use it. Between roasting each other about running habits and gym classes, they dig into why “the most” might be the single most powerful word you can use in your end-of-year campaigns. From “most downloaded” to “most gifted,” this episode shows how to wrap up your content (literally) in ways people can’t resist.

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Best Moments:

(01:16) Jay reveals his painfully slow “runs” that neighbors mistake for walks

(02:45) Daniel shares why roundups and “Spotify Wrapped”-style posts crush at year-end

(03:44) Jay explains why adding “most” instantly boosts engagement and clicks

(05:00) Daniel breaks down how AI makes it easier than ever to create top-performer lists

(06:01) Jay connects year-end content psychology to holiday nostalgia and comfort

(07:42) Daniel shows how “most bought” and “most gifted” emails drive conversions

(08:33) Jay rants about workout classes that make you “partner up with randos”

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Partner with Jay: https://www.jayschwedelson.com/contact

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