Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson

Most marketers think attribution is the answer to everything, but Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray take it apart with stories about chasing TikTok-famous restaurants, tracking referrals that don't show up in dashboards, and why "where did you hear about us?" is still the secret weapon. Turns out, the biggest marketing fights aren't about numbers—they’re about team alignment. Plus, you’ll get their real-life hacks for finding hidden gem restaurants (spoiler: Reddit and TikTok win).Best Moments:(00:56) Daniel finally scores a cool invite from a Miami restaurant thanks to his newsletter(02:31) Attribution is a compass, not a map—most marketers get lost by taking it too literally(03:21) Jay explains why last-touch attribution is nonsense, especially for anything more expensive than a phone case(05:39) Why obsessing over Facebook dashboard numbers makes marketers miss the real sales cycle(06:54) Jay’s agency rips out their website for a single “book a call” page—here’s what happened(08:42) Alignment, not attribution, is where the real fights (and fixes) happen between sales, marketing, and finance(09:25) The top companies put marketing leadership on actual sales calls—spreadsheets aren’t enough(10:18) How “where did you hear about us?” and AI-powered call analysis catch what dashboards miss(10:37) The surprisingly non-glamorous way Daniel finds new restaurants (hint: TikTok, Reddit, and a lot of menu stalking)Go follow The Marketing Millennials podcast, but also tune in to this series—Bathroom Break—for quick marketing tips and more. Tell Daniel and Jay what you want to hear next by reaching out on LinkedIn.Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). 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

Sometimes, marketing advice gets a little wild, and that’s what makes this episode a must-listen. Jay Schwedelson is on a mission to shake you out of boring subject lines with A/B tests that are completely opposite. Think “you don’t need this email” vs. “you absolutely need this email,” or "letting your inner guilt trip loose." You’ll pick up plenty of unexpected ideas (and maybe rethink what “we need to talk” really means), plus get a peek into Jay’s annual guys trip and his quest for the world’s most embarrassing gag gifts.Best Moments:(01:32) Reverse psychology wins with “you don’t need this email” pulling a 17 percent higher open rate(02:20) Humanity trumps robots when “a human with three cups of coffee wrote this” beats out AI(03:34) “Boom. Offer inside” vs. “Psst. Over here”—and the quiet approach steals the show(04:15) “We need to talk” outperforms “you left us no choice” by 19 percent(05:02) Passive-aggressive guilt pays off when “still ignoring us?” gets a 21 percent lift(06:01) “Not mad. Just disappointed” nails the parent-text vibe with a 12 percent higher open rate(06:32) “Fine. I’ll open it” (the inner monologue test) crushes with a 26 percent boost(08:45) Jay’s pool party humiliation story and the legend of the “I pee in pools” shirtDynamic DTNT sponsors and callouts

You never know where someone’s career will take them, and Jay Schwedelson is totally fascinated by Adam Ryan’s unconventional path—from ninth-grade American government teacher to building the B2B creator community platform Workweek. Adam breaks down why the future of content and community isn’t about brands, but about real, trusted personalities—and why “community” might be the most overused word in marketing right now.Check out everything Adam and his team are building at Workweek, and explore their creator-led communities and content: https://workweek.com/Best Moments:(01:45) Lesson plans at 6:30 AM and why Adam left teaching for good(02:33) Your career isn’t linear—scroll Adam’s LinkedIn if you need proof(04:45) People crave learning from individuals, not faceless brands(07:45) When you need trust, a real human should lead your newsletter—even if it’s ghostwritten(11:13) Why most brand “communities” flop and how Workweek thinks differently(14:06) Engagement loops are the secret sauce to keeping communities alive(17:01) The TikTok lesson: relevance is everything for ongoing community valueCheck out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). 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

Think your emails are tanking just because they land in Gmail’s promotions tab? Jay Schwedelson teams up with Danielle Gallant and Guy Hanson for Spamageddon—a crossover mini-series that’s equal parts email myth-busting and inbox apocalypse survival kit. This time, they’re going deep on the tab that everyone blames for their marketing woes, debunking the panic with data, real user behavior, and a few shots at turkey pardoning. If you think the promotions tab is your biggest problem, you might want to listen twice.Best Moments:(01:30) Why does the US president pardon a turkey—and do Brits secretly judge us for it?(03:40) Danielle nails four reality dating shows in under ten seconds (and teases her reality TV debut)(06:50) The myth about promotions tab “killing” your email performance(08:20) How many people actually use tabs in Gmail and Apple—and why open rates don’t tell the whole story(10:05) Should you “game the system” to escape promotions? Here’s what mailbox providers will do if you try(13:30) Gmail’s annotations and why being in the promotions tab can actually boost your marketing(15:10) Apple’s new tabs: why it’s a tiny slice of users and why you probably shouldn’t care (yet)Subscribe to Email After Hours podcast for more real talk from Danielle and Guy.Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). 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

You ever wonder why some content just falls flat while other stuff is suddenly blowing up, even when it feels like not much has changed? Jay Schwedelson has a wild take on why your old playbook is getting ignored—and the data behind what’s actually clicking right now. From what business marketers can steal from the latest consumer trends to the absolutely bonkers headlines coming out of celebrity gossip, this episode is equal parts useful and ridiculous in the best way.Best Moments:(01:07) Denver’s airport is apparently the worst-smelling in America and Jay’s not over it(01:45) Why your “safe” content is out of touch and what the data says about switching it up(03:01) Economic-related offers are seeing a 40% spike in downloads for B2B—yes, 40%(04:15) Easy ways to make your content feel hyper-relevant right now (and Jay’s favorite email subject lines)(05:09) How to make savings content fun without sounding desperate(06:30) Jay’s surprisingly nuanced takes on Timothy Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and celebrity relationship gossip(08:35) Pro tips on happiness from the Billy Ray Cyrus-Elizabeth Hurley situation—plus Jay invites himself to their weddingCheck out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson’s new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). 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

LinkedIn has rolled out powerful analytics for all users, revealing what types of content truly boost follower growth. Short videos, carousel posts, and selfies are standout performers, while memes and links lag behind. The latest troubles with the Apple Mail app leave many frustrated. Plus, a delicious new McFlurry is on the horizon, though it comes with a wait! Interestingly, collaborations aren’t just for the stars; even small brands can leverage partnerships for greater reach.

In this episode of The Bathroom Break, host Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray break down why naming your content or sale matters way more than you think—and swap tips (and jokes) about traffic and viral salads.=================================================Best Moments:(01:56) Content names matter more than content itself(02:41) Ebook vs. guide: “guide” gets more downloads(03:47) Test names like checklist, playbook, blueprint(05:27) Sale names: don’t stick with “summer sale”(06:04) Segment lists—custom names for each group(06:46) Write 20 headlines before any content(08:08) People buy the menu name, not the dish(09:41) Viral salads ruined Jay’s favorite spot=================================================Check out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->EVENTASTIC - The worlds LARGEST event about EVENTS! June 5-6 2025Register HERE: https://www.eventastic.com/RegistrationGuru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.com=================================================Check out Jay’s YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay’s TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/=================================================AND don’t miss out on this awesome FREE upcoming Quick Hit!Marigold: Should I Switch Email Platforms? 5 Truths & Myths!6/24 11am – 12pm ET.Register HERE: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7325947932031991808/comments/=================================================MASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma

Discover overlooked strategies to enhance your email and social media engagement. Learn how skipping preheaders can boost open rates by up to 14% and why using a single call-to-action button can triple clicks. Explore the importance of white space in your content design for platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Plus, enjoy a humorous confession about the tendency to fib during doctor visits, emphasizing that honesty is the best policy for better health.

In this engaging discussion, bestselling author and CEO of StoryBrand, Donald Miller, reveals how businesses can better communicate with their audience through story structure. He emphasizes crafting memorable soundbites that focus on customer survival, illustrating this with a captivating example about aquariums boosting sales. Donald also touches on the importance of social proof and shares insights on using AI as a writing partner, making the case for its transformative potential in marketing.

Discover how to make your marketing content stand out by embracing anti-AI strategies. Jay Schwedelson suggests avoiding clichéd phrases and instead using quirky tactics like intentional typos and expressive spelling. Learn why ditching capitalization can actually boost email engagement. Plus, enjoy some fun recommendations for reality TV, including the latest seasons of Below Deck and Bachelor in Paradise. It’s a perfect blend of marketing insights and entertainment to keep you engaged!