Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson

Latest Episodes:

What’s Up THIS WEEK: 😳 Big Changes: LinkedIn & Instagram + 15% Email Trick! ➕ The Girlfriend on Prime - Good or Bad? | Ep. 413 Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

LinkedIn just added some sneaky-powerful analytics, Instagram is rolling out a surprisingly useful tweak, and Jay Schwedelson has a clever email test that could boost your open rates without writing a single extra word. He also throws in a few life notes, from collapsing toy fads to what’s actually worth streaming this week. Quick, punchy, and packed with the kind of tiny updates that can quietly change your marketing game.

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Best Moments:

(01:00) Why LinkedIn’s new save and send metrics matter for your content strategy

(02:00) Posting more often could unlock thousands of extra impressions on LinkedIn

(03:20) Instagram finally lets you pin your own comments

(04:00) The no-preheader email test that can increase opens by 15 percent

(05:26) Labubu toys are tanking in value, Beanie Baby dreams crushed

(06:15) The Girlfriend on Prime is worth your binge, unlike that wild Netflix catfish doc

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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

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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==>Funniest, Sweating in a Waymo! ➕ Winning on Reddit 🚗 <== | BATHROOM Break #73 COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Riding in a driverless car might not sound like the ideal place to kick off a marketing chat, but Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray made it work. Between sweating it out in a Waymo and figuring out how to breathe again, they got into why Reddit is one of the most powerful (and underused) platforms for marketers. From spotting trends before they hit the mainstream to actually listening in on real customer pain points, this episode shows why ignoring Reddit means missing big opportunities.

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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.

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Best Moments:

(00:45) Trapped in a Waymo, overheating, and questioning life choices

(02:15) Daniel explains why he always adds “Reddit” to his Google searches

(04:15) Jay shares how to use ChatGPT prompts to surface top Reddit threads

(06:15) Daniel points out that Reddit conversations move faster than any other platform

(07:00) Jay’s Google search hack for finding Reddit content directly

(08:45) Why Reddit forces marketers to earn credibility instead of faking it

(09:45) The surprising safety and social perks of choosing Waymo over Uber

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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!

This is WORKING! Apple Mail Tip Nobody Knows Yet! 🤫🤫 The Bachelorette is From Secret Lives of Mormon Wives!?? Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 411 Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Most marketers never think about the iPhone’s built-in Mail app, but Jay Schwedelson explains why it just became a secret weapon for boosting open rates. Apple’s new “priority” placement is quietly reshaping how emails surface on lock screens, and the right subject line tweaks can get your promotions treated like high-value confirmations. It’s a rare, low-effort hack that could give you a serious edge before Apple inevitably shuts the door.

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Best Moments:

(00:35) Nearly half of all email is read in Apple’s Mail app

(01:17) Apple pushing “priority” emails straight to lock screens

(02:30) Priority placement boosting open rates by 28%

(03:17) Subject line hack with “Access approved”

(04:17) Words like confirmation, activated, update, renewal trigger Apple’s AI

(06:00) Why this low-cost tweak is worth A/B testing now

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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!

AI is a Good for Humanity! w/USATODAY Best Selling Author! 🎯 Jeff Burningham | Ep. 410 Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

AI panic is everywhere, but here’s a refreshing take: Jay Schwedelson sits down with Jeff Burningham to unpack why AI might actually make us more human. Jeff sees AI as a mirror that pushes us toward wisdom, deeper relationships, and more intentional living. If you’re tired of doom talk and want a practical, hopeful lens, this convo will hit different.

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Pick up The Last Book Written by a Human on Amazon, connect with Jeff on LinkedIn, visit jeffburningham.com, and follow @jeffburningham on Substack and TikTok.

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Best Moments:

(01:35) Jay calls out Jeff’s rare optimism on AI and sets the tone for a human-first conversation

(02:45) Jeff’s journey from founder and investor to a reflective pivot that began on the Ganges

(05:18) AI as a cosmic mirror and crucible that can catalyze real human transformation

(10:30) Counterintuitive advice to step away from AI, do inner work, then return with clarity

(13:15) The thesis lands hard as machines get smarter, humans must become more wise

(19:36) A hopeful future where AI frees time for art, creativity, and new industries

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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!! 🧪How to Convince Your Boss to TEST! ➕Got Pooped on by a Bird 💩 | Ep. 409 Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Convincing your boss to embrace testing isn’t easy, but Jay Schwedelson has a smart way to flip the conversation. Instead of begging to try new subject lines or tactics, he shows how to reframe experiments as an insurance policy against being left behind. Plus, he shares a hilarious story about a supermarket parking lot that’ll make you think twice about where you stand with your shopping cart.

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Best Moments:

(01:00) Josh asks how to convince a CEO to try proven email tactics instead of sticking to personal preference

(02:28) Why creating a 10 percent “laboratory environment” changes the way testing is perceived internally

(03:31) Framing experiments as an “insurance program” to prevent competitors from pulling ahead

(05:26) Using AI prompts to quickly benchmark your marketing against competitors and show executives the gaps

(08:00) Jay debates whether to shop after being dive-bombed by a bird in the parking lot

(09:26) A cart-return showdown in the supermarket lot sparks Jay’s reflection on being a “cart putter backer”

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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 ==> Stop Freaking Out Over Unsubscribes 🚫 <== | BATHROOM Break #72 COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Parenting hacks, diaper duty, and unsubscribe spikes all in one bathroom break? Yep. Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray manage to mix dad life with marketing reality in this episode, digging into why unsubscribes peak at the end of the year and what smart marketers should (and shouldn’t) do about it. It’s funny, a little chaotic, and surprisingly reassuring if you’ve ever stared at your dashboard panicking over lost subscribers.

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Best Moments:

(01:00) Daniel shares the highs of new fatherhood and the lows of no sleep

(01:23) Using ChatGPT for parenting questions from formula to baby sleep

(02:11) Diaper changes as a volume game and a proud dad metric

(02:45) Jay explains why unsubscribes spike 200%+ in Q4

(03:16) Daniel on welcome offers and why your next deal must beat the first one

(06:26) The myth of “AI-written” newsletters and how readers misjudge tone

(08:00) Retention curves show when unsubscribes actually stabilize

(09:14) Daniel sets firm baby visitor rules: wash hands, no kissing, Tdap required

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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!

3 WORDS That Can BOOST Your Engagement 60% 🚀 Airport People Movers Are Not Rides! Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 407 Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

The smallest detail can make or break your engagement, and Jay Schwedelson is fired up about it. Forget the fancy hooks and long copy—the first word of your subject line or post might be the single biggest factor in whether people keep reading or scroll right past. He breaks down fresh data on LinkedIn, email, and Instagram that shows just how powerful those opening words really are, plus exactly which ones get the biggest lift.

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Best Moments:

(01:19) Why the very first word of your subject line changes everything

(02:31) How LinkedIn’s mobile notifications only show your first three words

(03:21) Contrarian, commanding, and relatable openers that boost engagement

(04:27) The surprising first words that lift non-sales email opens by 20%

(05:15) Which urgency words drive sales emails like “last” and “ends”

(05:54) Why Instagram engagement lives or dies in the first two seconds

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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!

👋 Pretty Little Marketer 600k Community! FOUNDER: Sophie Miller Unpacks the Blueprint to REAL Community!| Ep. 406 Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

When Jay Schwedelson sat down with Sophie Miller, it wasn’t just about social media tips—it was about how one person turned a scrappy Instagram page into the global community for marketers. Sophie built Pretty Little Marketers from her university sofa into a movement that now reaches hundreds of thousands, all while staying laser-focused on simplicity, value, and connection. This episode digs into the tactics behind her growth, her love for LinkedIn, and the newsletter strategy that keeps her audience hooked.

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Join the Pretty Little Marketers community to connect with marketers worldwide.

Follow Pretty Little Marketers on LinkedIn.

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Best Moments:

(02:26) Sophie shares how a moment of overwhelm at university sparked the start of Pretty Little Marketers

(05:25) The surprising truth about building a massive social following as a team of one

(07:30) Why creating a “shared space” is the foundation of real community growth

(11:22) How LinkedIn became Sophie’s secret weapon and why she still loves it today

(17:07) The intentional difference between her company page and personal page content

(25:20) The genius of a newsletter digest that makes readers smarter without overwhelming them

(30:15) Sophie on why speaking at Guru Conference about email feels like a whole new chapter

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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!

How to Spend $1000 to Massively Grow Your Email List! | Ep. 405 Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Building a newsletter audience on a shoestring budget might sound impossible, but Jay Schwedelson shows how $1,000 can actually go a long way if you know where to put it. From Instagram Reels ads that quietly outperform LinkedIn to Reddit’s brand-new lead gen units, this episode is packed with practical, tested strategies that make growing your list both cheaper and faster than you’d expect. And yes, Jay also finds time to rant about streaming platforms and explain why a Netflix sitcom feels like a “mental massage.”

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Best Moments:

(01:30) Funnel cakes, carnival games, and why rides are no longer an option

(02:45) The one truth about social media ads nobody wants to admit

(03:37) Why Instagram Reels ads are the best $1,000 you’ll ever spend

(05:20) The real cost of LinkedIn lead gen ads and why they don’t work for newsletters

(06:05) Reddit’s brand-new lead gen ads and early cost-per-sub numbers

(08:10) A sitcom that feels like a throwback mental massage on Netflix

(09:02) Love Island spinoffs, Peacock frustrations, and bad reality TV casting

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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: Reddit Ad NEWS! Bad TV! And more 😂 | Ep. 404 Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Reddit just quietly leveled up in the ad world, and Jay Schwedelson is fired up about it. After years of sending people off-platform, Reddit now lets advertisers run lead gen ads directly inside the app, which means smoother conversions and cheaper cost per acquisition. Jay breaks down why that shift matters, plus wanders into the wild world of prediction markets (yes, people are betting on Taylor Swift’s engagement timeline) and a guilty-pleasure TV recommendation that you probably didn’t see coming.

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Best Moments:

(01:00) Why Reddit’s new lead gen ads are such a game changer for marketers

(02:33) The hidden cost of sending users off-platform with your ads

(03:15) How to keep cost per acquisition under $10 with smart ad placement

(04:00) A $12,000 bet on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce that turned into $50,000

(05:15) Peacock joining Amazon Prime and why Jay is irrationally excited about it

(05:30) The “Plastic Surgery Rewind” show Jay can’t stop watching, even though it’s awful

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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