Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson" Presented By Marigold
Episode: 4 INSTANT Ways to Increase Social and Email Engagement [White Space is Secret Sauce!] Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 350
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold

Introduction

In Episode 4 of "Do This, NOT That!" hosted by Jay Schwedelson, listeners are treated to a wealth of actionable marketing strategies aimed at enhancing both email and social media engagement. Jay emphasizes the transformative power of white space in marketing, not just in design elements but as a strategic tool to captivate audiences subtly and effectively.

Email Marketing Tactics

1. Optimizing the Pre-Header

Jay introduces a bold experiment: eliminating the pre-header in promotional emails. Traditionally, marketers utilize the pre-header to highlight offers or supplementary information. However, Jay points out that an overwhelming 98% of emails include a pre-header, making those that don't stand out amidst the "social scroll" of inboxes.

"When you have no pre header whatsoever, you are part of the 2% of emails that stand out, leading to a significant increase in open rates."
— Jay Schwedelson [02:30]

Impact:

• B2B Open Rates: Increased by approximately 14%
• Consumer Open Rates: Increased by approximately 12%

Strategy: Test emails without pre-headers intermittently and pair them with shorter subject lines to maximize white space and visibility.

2. Streamlining Call to Action (CTA) Buttons

Contrary to the common practice of multiple CTAs to maximize click-through opportunities, Jay advocates for experimenting with a single, prominent CTA within emails.

"Emails with just one call to action button had a 3x increase in clicks. That's a 300% increase in clicks."
— Jay Schwedelson [08:45]

Impact:

• Simplifies the email's focus
• Reduces decision fatigue for the reader
• Encourages a higher conversion rate

Strategy: Implement a singular, visually distinct CTA in select emails to assess its effectiveness compared to multiple CTAs.

3. Managing Text Blocks for Better Engagement

Long blocks of text can deter readers from engaging with email content. Jay shares a crucial statistic highlighting the importance of concise messaging.

"Emails with blocks of text that are over four lines or more see a 20% drop in their click-through rates."
— Jay Schwedelson [12:15]

Impact:

• Enhances readability
• Maintains the reader's attention
• Encourages interaction with embedded links or CTAs

Strategy: Break up content into shorter paragraphs, utilize bullet points, and incorporate ample white space to create a visually appealing and easily digestible email layout.

Social Media Engagement Strategies

1. Leveraging the 'More' Button on LinkedIn

Jay reveals a nuanced technique to boost LinkedIn post visibility by manipulating the platform's algorithm.

"By forcing the 'more' button to be clicked, your post signals LinkedIn to circulate it further, increasing its reach by about 15%."
— Jay Schwedelson [18:50]

Method:

• Craft a compelling hook at the beginning of the post.
• Insert three line breaks immediately after the hook to create white space.
• Place the remaining content below, prompting users to click "more" to view the full message.

Example:
*"Only for marketers,

Dive into these exclusive strategies to elevate your campaigns..."*

Impact:

• Enhanced post visibility
• Increased user interaction
• Greater algorithmic favorability

2. Enhancing Instagram Carousels with Minimalist Slides

Building on the success of Instagram carousels, Jay suggests integrating minimalist or single-word slides within the sequence to maintain engagement.

"Inserting one-word pages every other slide signals Instagram to boost your post's circulation, while also keeping the audience intrigued and engaged."
— Jay Schwedelson [25:20]

Strategy:

• Alternate between detailed content slides and minimalist slides (e.g., questions or provocative statements).
• This not only captures attention but also encourages users to swipe through the entire carousel.

Impact:

• Improved engagement rates
• Longer interaction times per post
• Enhanced overall aesthetic appeal of the carousel

Conclusion

Jay Schwedelson's episode offers a treasure trove of innovative and easily implementable marketing tactics that leverage the power of white space to enhance engagement across email and social media platforms. By challenging conventional wisdom—such as the necessity of pre-headers and multiple CTAs in emails—Jay encourages marketers to experiment and discover what uniquely resonates with their audience. Similarly, his insights into optimizing LinkedIn and Instagram interactions provide fresh perspectives to amplify reach and interaction in increasingly competitive digital landscapes.

Listeners are empowered to test these strategies within their marketing arsenals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation in their quest for marketing mastery.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "When you have no pre header whatsoever, you are part of the 2% of emails that stand out, leading to a significant increase in open rates."
  — Jay Schwedelson [02:30]

• "Emails with just one call to action button had a 3x increase in clicks. That's a 300% increase in clicks."
  — Jay Schwedelson [08:45]

• "Emails with blocks of text that are over four lines or more see a 20% drop in their click-through rates."
  — Jay Schwedelson [12:15]

• "By forcing the 'more' button to be clicked, your post signals LinkedIn to circulate it further, increasing its reach by about 15%."
  — Jay Schwedelson [18:50]

• "Inserting one-word pages every other slide signals Instagram to boost your post's circulation, while also keeping the audience intrigued and engaged."
  — Jay Schwedelson [25:20]

Note: This summary focuses solely on the core content of the podcast, excluding advertisements, sponsor messages, and personal anecdotes to provide a clear and concise overview of the valuable marketing insights shared by Jay Schwedelson.