Podcast Summary: Ep. 244 - 🤔DOUBLE OPT-IN: YES or NO⁉️Bar Crawls? Stranger Things?🛸Ask Us ANYTHING

Title: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Episode Title: DOUBLE OPT-IN: YES or NO⁉️Bar Crawls? Stranger Things?🛸Ask Us ANYTHING

1. Introduction

In Episode 244 of "Do This, NOT That," Jay Schwedelson navigates through a blend of practical marketing advice and light-hearted, personal questions submitted by listeners. This episode is structured into two main segments: a work-related query about email marketing strategies and a series of whimsical "this or that" questions that reveal Jay's personality and preferences.

2. Work Question: Should You Use Double Opt-In for Your Newsletter?

Question from Rachel, Savannah, Georgia:
"Jay, we are starting a new newsletter. Should we make it double opt-in?"

Timestamp: [03:30]

Jay's Response:
Jay firmly advises against using double opt-in for email newsletters, citing significant drawbacks that outweigh potential benefits.

1. High Drop-Off Rates:

   • Litmus Data: Up to 40% of subscribers fail to complete the confirmation step in a double opt-in process.

     "According to Litmus, up to 40% of people who submit their information do not actually do the follow-up confirmation link."
     [07:45]

   • Mailchimp Data: Approximately 61% of users never finish the double opt-in signup process.

     "Mailchimp found that a staggering 61% of people never complete the double opt-in signup process."
     [09:10]

2. Spam Filter Issues:
   Confirmation emails may land in spam folders, preventing interested subscribers from completing the process.

   "The confirmation email itself can get caught up in a spam filter. So you're not even giving the person the opportunity to confirm that they want to opt-in."
   [11:20]

3. User Experience Concerns:
   The additional step confuses users, especially in time-sensitive scenarios where immediate action is desired.

4. Global Audience Considerations:
   In regions like Latin America and Asia, double opt-in is less common, potentially leading to even higher drop-off rates.

Real-World Example:
Jay references Social Media Examiner as a leading example that successfully maintains a robust email list without employing double opt-in, highlighting their effective user experience strategies.

"Social Media Examiner doesn't do a double opt-in, and they try to do every best practice humanly possible."
[14:55]

Conclusion:
Jay concludes that the substantial loss of potential subscribers makes double opt-in an unfavorable strategy for most marketers. Instead, opting for a single opt-in process ensures a larger and more engaged email list.

3. Ridiculous Questions Segment: This or That

Introduction to Segment:
Jay transitions to the lighter portion of the episode, tackling fun and quirky "this or that" questions submitted by listeners.

Question 1: New Year's Eve Bar Crawl vs. Game Night at Home

Question from Jesse, Baltimore:
"For New Year's Eve, would you rather participate in a New Year's Eve bar crawl or be at a game night at home?"

Jay's Choice: Game Night

Reasoning:
Jay expresses a preference for the comfort and enjoyment of a game night over the chaotic and often unpleasant experience of a bar crawl. He shares a personal anecdote to illustrate his stance:

"I did a bar crawl a few years back because I do a guy strip every year with my buddies from college... Everybody is toast. These guys are out of their minds. My days of bar crawls are over. But game night, I'm all in."
[18:30]

Question 2: Live in a Reality Show like Squid Game vs. Supernatural World like Stranger Things

Question from Jesse, Baltimore:
"Would you rather live in a reality show like Squid Game or a supernatural world like Stranger Things?"

Jay's Choice: Stranger Things

Reasoning:
Jay rejects the lethal premise of Squid Game, favoring the nostalgic and adventurous setting of Stranger Things. He humorously contemplates adopting the iconic bowl cut hairstyle from the series and believes he would thrive intellectually in such a community.

"Stranger Things is my vibe because that's, like, in the 80s... I'd be the smartest person in the entire town."
[22:15]

Question 3: Star in a Reality Show About Your Life vs. Be the Subject of a Viral Documentary

Question from Jesse, Baltimore:
"Would you rather star in a reality show about your life or be the subject of a viral documentary?"

Jay's Choice: Reality Show About His Life

Reasoning:
Jay prefers the idea of a reality show over a viral documentary, which he associates with negative connotations. He shares a past experience applying for a reality show, reflecting on how it could have led to unwanted fame and personal challenges.

"I'd rather have a reality show about my life because if it's a viral documentary, I did something really bad."
[25:40]

Anecdote:
Jay recounts his attempt to join "The Real World" during his college years, highlighting how he and his friends were likely too eccentric for the producers:

"We started rattling off what would go on if we were picked... they were looking at us like we were out of our minds."
[27:05]

4. Conclusion

Jay wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast through subscriptions and reviews, ensuring they stay updated with actionable marketing tips and entertaining content. He emphasizes the value of blending professional insights with personal anecdotes to create a relatable and informative listening experience.

Notable Quotes

• On Double Opt-In Failure Rates:

  "According to Litmus, up to 40% of people who submit their information do not actually do the follow-up confirmation link."
  [07:45]

• On Choosing Stranger Things:

  "Stranger Things is my vibe because that's, like, in the 80s... I'd be the smartest person in the entire town."
  [22:15]

• On Reality Shows vs. Viral Documentaries:

  "I'd rather have a reality show about my life because if it's a viral documentary, I did something really bad."
  [25:40]

Key Takeaways

1. Email Marketing Strategy:
   Avoiding double opt-in can significantly increase your subscriber base by preventing high drop-off rates and ensuring a smoother user experience.

2. Engaging Content Creation:
   Balancing professional marketing advice with personal, relatable stories enhances listener engagement and retention.

3. Audience-Centric Decisions:
   Understanding and prioritizing the user experience is crucial in developing effective marketing strategies and communication tactics.

This episode of "Do This, NOT That" effectively combines critical marketing insights with engaging personal interactions, making it a valuable resource for marketers seeking both practical advice and a personable connection with industry experts.