Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson | Ep. 340"

Episode Title: 🚨 “Steal This” = 35% INCREASED Engagement! 💡 AND 4 People Who Annoy Me! Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 340
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold

I. Introduction

In episode 340 of "Do This, NOT That!" hosted by Jay Schwedelson and presented by Marigold, Jay delves into an innovative marketing tactic that’s been making waves across various industries. This episode not only explores the effectiveness of the "steal this" strategy but also includes a candid rant about certain social media behaviors that Jay finds particularly irritating.

II. The "Steal This" Marketing Tactic

a. Concept Overview
At the outset (00:02), Jay introduces the central theme of the episode: the "steal this" marketing format. Initially, the concept might seem counterintuitive—particularly for conservative B2B brands or new consumer brands concerned about perception. However, Jay emphasizes that the most successful brands are leveraging this approach to great effect.

b. Application Across Brands
Jay explains that both large and small brands, spanning consumer and B2B sectors, are adopting the "steal this" format in various marketing channels, including offers, content, emails, and social media posts. The key idea is to provide audiences with actionable, high-value content framed as something they can "steal," which inherently attracts attention and engagement.

III. Data Supporting "Steal This"

a. Enhanced Engagement in Titles
Jay shares compelling data from the World Data Research Group, indicating that podcast titles and blog article titles beginning with "steal" experience a 35% higher average engagement rate. For instance, HubSpot titled their popular podcast episode "Steal HubSpot's Go to Market Strategy with AI," showcasing the practical application of this tactic.

b. Improved Email Performance
When it comes to email marketing, Jay highlights that subject lines starting with "steal" lead to significant open rate improvements:

• Consumer Side: A 24% lift in open rates.
• B2B Side: A 28% lift in open rates.

An example provided is Vogue Shopping’s subject line: “Steal her style” or “Alo said steal his style.”

c. Social Media Engagement
On social media, the "steal this" approach proves even more effective:

• B2B Social Posts: 40% higher engagement rate.
• Consumer Social Posts: An impressive 80% higher engagement rate, with examples like “Steal this diet” and “Steal this workout” performing exceptionally well.

IV. Psychological Factors Behind "Steal This" Success

a. Permission
"Steal this" implicitly grants the audience permission to take free, valuable content without any obligation or guilt. This openness lowers barriers to engagement, making it easier for audiences to say "yes" to the offer.

b. Generosity Equals Authority
By offering high-value content generously, brands position themselves as experts and trustworthy authorities. When businesses say, “Steal our playbook” or “Steal this framework,” they’re not just sharing resources—they’re building trust and fostering deeper engagement with their audience.

V. Practical Implementation of "Steal This"

Jay advises marketers to identify their most successful content—be it social posts, email campaigns, or other high-engagement materials—and repackage it using the "steal this" format. For example:

• Email Call-to-Action Buttons: Instead of conventional CTAs like "Download" or "Learn More," use phrases like "Steal the Strategy" or "Steal This Framework."
• Content Titles: Transform popular blog posts or podcast episodes by prefixing them with "Steal this," thereby leveraging the increased engagement metrics associated with this approach.

This strategy requires minimal effort but can drastically boost content performance by repackaging existing successful elements into an irresistible offering.

VI. Jay's Rant on Annoying Social Media Posts

Transitioning from effective marketing strategies, Jay expresses his frustration with certain social media behaviors that he finds overbearing and insincere. He specifically criticizes posts that start with phrases like “You may have noticed” or “Not sure who needs to hear this.” Here are key points from his rant:

• Lack of Authenticity: Phrases such as “You may have noticed I haven't posted in a while” or “Let’s normalize…” often precede content that feels forced or irrelevant to his audience.

  “When they say, 'You may have noticed,' I want to lose my mind.”— Jay Schwedelson (19:30)

• Self-Centered Content: These preambles suggest a concern for the poster's life or opinions rather than providing value to the audience.

• Annoyance with Overuse: Jay finds the repetitive use of such phrases frustrating, leading him to block individuals who persistently use them.

  “Nobody cares. They care about themselves. They can barely get through the day.”— Jay Schwedelson (25:45)

• Advice to Content Creators: Jay advises against using these phrases altogether, emphasizing that if someone doesn't know who needs to hear their message, they shouldn't post it.

VII. Announcement of Eventastic

Towards the end of the episode, Jay promotes "Eventastic," a free virtual event focused on all aspects of event management, from virtual and in-person conferences to public speaking and sponsorships.

“In a few days, first week of June, Eventastic, my giant free virtual event that is all about virtual conferences, in-person conferences, small events, big, big events. Public speaking, sponsorship stuff, swag sales, whatever.”— Jay Schwedelson (32:10)

Key Highlights:

• Date: First week of June
• Access: Free registration at eventastic.com
• Special Guests: Andy Cohen from Bravo and live skydivers, among others.
• Purpose: To provide comprehensive insights and networking opportunities for event professionals and enthusiasts.

VIII. Conclusion

Jay wraps up the episode by reiterating the effectiveness of the "steal this" marketing tactic and encourages listeners to implement it to enhance their engagement metrics. He also invites listeners to join the upcoming Eventastic event to further their marketing and event management skills.

“You did it. You made it to the end now. Nice, but the party's not over.”— Jay Schwedelson (34:50)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “What do we all want right now? We want free stuff and we want BTS, as the cool kids say, behind the scenes.”— 05:15

• “Podcast titles and blog article titles starting with the word steal have a 35% higher average engagement rate.”— 12:30

• “Steal this taps into two very powerful psychological levers: Permission and Generosity.”— 20:40

• “Nobody cares. They care about themselves.”— 25:45

• “It is not a trick. It is high value content repackaged as generosity.”— 21:10

Key Takeaways

1. "Steal This" as a Powerful Tool: Utilizing "steal this" in marketing materials can significantly boost engagement across various platforms, backed by substantial data.

2. Psychological Underpinnings: The success of this tactic lies in its appeal to permission and generosity, fostering trust and authority with the audience.

3. Practical Application: Marketers should consider transforming their best-performing content into the "steal this" format to maximize reach and interaction.

4. Avoiding Oversaturated Content Tactics: Jay’s critique of certain social media practices serves as a reminder to maintain authenticity and value in all audience interactions.

5. Continued Learning Opportunities: Events like Eventastic offer valuable resources for those looking to deepen their expertise in marketing and event management.

Note: For marketers seeking to enhance their strategies and stay ahead in the competitive landscape, Jay Schwedelson’s insights on the "steal this" tactic provide actionable and data-driven approaches to elevate your marketing efforts.