Podcast Summary: "Ask Us ANYTHING: Your Q4 Cheat Code😳 Regifting Rules and the Gift Bag Debate 🎁"

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Host: GURU Media Hub
Episode 442 – November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around a fast-paced, Q&A-style exploration of practical end-of-year marketing tactics—with Jay fielding both a work-related question about Q4 content that drives results, and a lighthearted question about the ethics of regifting (plus a passionate rant about reusing gift bags). Expect actionable insights for marketers alongside Jay’s signature wit and directness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Q4 Marketing Content Cheat Code: The Power of Calendar Content

(Work Question from Kendra, Livingston, NJ — 01:14)

• Statistical Proof:
  Jay opens by highlighting a data-driven “cheat code” for end-of-year marketing: downloadable calendar content outperforms all other content types from November 1st through January 15th.

  • “On the business side, OK, this is 300% higher than any other content type during that November through January 15 period. On the consumer side, 200% higher. And for nonprofit, over 160% higher according to World Data Research.” (02:05)

• How to Execute Calendar Content:

  • For B2B:

    • Release an industry events calendar as a downloadable PDF—include webinars, events you’re attending, new laws, or any relevant dates.
    • Mark your company’s activities in a special way to stand out.
    • Build an annual ritual; people anticipate and download it every year.

  • For B2C:

    • Create lifestyle-driven calendars:
      • “365-day wellness calendar,” “2026 glow up calendar,” or “2026 hydration challenge.”
    • The format is adaptable to almost every product or service.

  • For Nonprofits:

    • 12-month impact calendars featuring donation milestones, impact stories, or monthly volunteer opportunities.

• Why This Works:

  • High engagement: People print them, use them, and return for updates—making it a powerful way to capture leads and nurture contacts.
  • Time efficient:
    • “This might take you an hour to make the calendar. And then you ride this content for the next two months. It will crush it for you. This is a no brainer.” (05:42)

2. Regifting Rules: What’s OK, What’s Not

(Ridiculous Question from Jared, Sacramento — 07:00)

• Jay’s Take on Regifting:
  • Not inherently bad if the item is good—problematic only if you’re passing on something you disliked.
  • “If you’re regifting it because you think the gift is horrendous, then that’s not cool because then you’re giving somebody else a pile of garbage. Now, if you’re regifting something because you already have the thing, right? And you really like it, great, that’s fine.” (07:27)
  • Beware of awkward regifting mishaps—Jay recounts a family story where someone regifted back to the original giver, creating memorable discomfort.

3. The Gift Bag Debate: A Rant

(Gift Bag Story — 08:29)

• Reusing Gift Bags is NOT Weird:

  • Jay tells a recent story: after bringing a host gift in a reused bag, he was “called out” at a party.
  • He reacts with disbelief and humor:
    • “Anybody who thinks that reusing a gift bag is weird is a loser… Even if you’re Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and you have a gabillion dollars, you would do that. That’s just not what a human being does.” (09:10)
    • “If somebody calls somebody else on is a giant, epic loser, tool, nerd, dweeb, geek, horrendous human.” (09:34)

• Jay’s Bottom Line:

  • Don’t shame people for practical, sustainable behavior.
  • “Unfriend material” for anyone who complains about reused gift bags.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Calendar Content:
  • “If you’re not doing this, and you should be doing this annually, people will become excited about it every year. And this is how you can grow your data because everybody loves these calendars. They print them out, they put them on their wall. It is great.” (04:07)
• On Regifting Mishaps:
  • “One of my relatives regifted something to another one of my relatives. And when they did it, they were like, dude, we’re the family that gave this to you. That was so awkward. It was amazing.” (07:58)
• On Gift Bags:
  • "Who does that? I don’t even think if you’re like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk and you have a gabillion dollars you would do that." (09:20)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:14] – Work Question: Best Q4 Content Type
• [02:05] – Calendar Content Stats & Rationale
• [03:15] – B2B Calendar Execution Tips
• [04:22] – B2C & Nonprofit Calendar Content Ideas
• [05:42] – Efficiency & Annual Ritual Benefits
• [07:00] – Regifting: The Rules According to Jay
• [08:29] – The Gift Bag Debate Story & Extended Rant
• [10:08] – Episode Summary and Jay’s Takeaways

Actionable Takeaways

• For Marketers:

  • Prioritize downloadable calendar content as a lead magnet and engagement tool in Q4. It’s statistically proven to outperform other content types.
  • Tailor the calendar to your market—include value and visual cues for your brand or offerings.

• For Gift-Givers:

  • Regift responsibly—only pass along items you value yourself.
  • Reusing gift bags is practical (and should be guilt-free).

Jay mixes sharp marketing insights with humor and everyday social commentary, leaving listeners both better equipped for Q4 and entertained as they go. If you want straightforward advice—and the occasional rant—this is an episode not to miss.