Podcast Summary:

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Episode 435 – Ask Us ANYTHING: Love is Blind! 😂 Secrets to Nonprofit, Business, & Consumer Marketing!
Release Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Sponsor: Marigold

Episode Overview

This high-energy, quick-hit episode combines actionable marketing advice with Jay’s signature humor and an “Ask Us Anything” format. Jay answers listener questions covering nonprofit marketing strategies and shares an enthusiastic (and hilarious) take on reality TV obsession, specifically Season 9 of "Love is Blind." The episode weaves together practical tactics—relevant for nonprofits, businesses, and consumer marketers—with reflections on audience engagement, copywriting, and the power of human authenticity in campaigns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nonprofit Marketing: Driving Volunteers & Awareness

(Caller: Haley from Fort Lauderdale, FL) — [00:45 - 06:38]

a. Call-to-Action (CTA) Copy: Make It Personal

• Most organizations use generic CTAs like “Donate Now” or “Buy Now.”
• Jay emphasizes the power of first-person language in CTAs:
  • “When you write your call to action buttons...in first person, we see click through rates go up by over 20%.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [01:50]
  • Example Shift: From “Donate Now” to “Yes, I want to help” or “Count me in.”
  • For volunteers: Avoid “We need volunteers”; instead, use “I want to be part of the team.”

b. The 75-Word Rule: Shorter is Stronger (for Prospects)

• Marketers often share lengthy content with prospects, negatively impacting response.
  • “The secret sauce thing for prospects is 75 words or less in a single paragraph...when you [exceed this], we actually see click through rates drop off massively.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [03:05]
• Differentiate communications for prospects (short, to the point) versus existing supporters (more detailed, engaged).

c. Real Humanity Outperforms AI-Generated Content

• “Using real humanity” in visuals is crucial for engagement, regardless of sector.
  • Real human faces in content outperform AI-generated imagery by a reported 38% in engagement (citing World Data Research).
    • “When posts include real human faces...we see a 38% higher engagement rate...”
      — Jay Schwedelson [04:30]
• Jay’s big prediction:
  • “Humanity is going to be the algorithm as we head into 2026, period. End of story.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [05:12]
  • Advice to show real teams, candid moments, and authentic volunteer action to foster connection.

d. Encouragement for Nonprofit Marketers

• Jay closes this section with genuine appreciation for people in the nonprofit sector, recognizing their impact and encouraging them to keep pushing forward.

2. The “Ridiculous” Question: Jay’s Reality TV Fandom

(Caller: Alexis from Dayton, OH) — [06:38 - 08:25]

a. Favorite Reality TV Show and Why:

• Jay reveals unabashed love for reality TV but can only invest in current seasons.
  • “I don't like going back and watching old seasons of reality shows...It's like, that happened three years ago. I know they broke up…”
    — Jay Schwedelson [07:00]
• Declares “Love is Blind, Season 9” as the uncontested winner.
  • “If you've never watched Love is Blind, you're a loser...No, you are...it's true. I'm so sorry. You are.”
    — Jay Schwedelson [07:25]
• Praises the season’s “out of their minds” cast and chaotic fun, labeling it the best yet.

b. Humor and Pop Culture Observations

• Jay riffs on the obsession with true crime and implores listeners to tune into “Love is Blind” instead.
  • “Stop watching these, you know, murder mysteries...Why is true crime so popular? What is going on?”
    — Jay Schwedelson [08:00]

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• “When you write your call to action buttons...in first person, we see click through rates go up by over 20%.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [01:50]
• “The secret sauce for prospects is 75 words or less in a single paragraph...When you do [more], click through rates drop off massively.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [03:05]
• “Humanity is going to be the algorithm as we head into 2026, period. End of story.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [05:12]
• “If you've never watched Love is Blind, you're a loser...No, you are...it's true. I'm so sorry. You are.”
  — Jay Schwedelson [07:25]
• “Stop watching these, you know, murder mysteries...Why is true crime so popular?”
  — Jay Schwedelson [08:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:45] – Haley (nonprofit): How to market, recruit volunteers, and use digital channels
• [01:15] - [05:30] – Jay’s three-part answer: 1st person CTAs, 75-word rule, “real humanity” visual strategy
• [06:38] – Alexis (reality TV): Jay’s pick for best reality TV series and season
• [07:00] – Jay’s reality TV watching style: “I don't like going back and watching old seasons…”
• [07:25] – “Love is Blind, Season 9” strong endorsement

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in concise, actionable marketing advice—with universal applicability across nonprofit, business, and consumer campaigns—delivered in Jay Schwedelson’s trademark engaging, irreverent style. Marketers will leave with both practical tweaks (personalized CTAs, brevity for prospects, more humanity in visuals) and a reason to check out the latest “Love is Blind.”

Bonus Tip: If you're seeking higher engagement and motivation in your marketing, let authenticity and real faces lead your strategy as you head into 2026!

For more insights or to submit your own question, visit jschwedelson.com