Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson" – Ep. 256

Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold

Introduction to Episode 256

In Episode 256 of "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson," hosted by GURU Media Hub and sponsored by Marigold, Jay delves into enhancing customer feedback mechanisms and tackles a surprising segment on dating advice. The episode seamlessly blends actionable marketing strategies with unexpected personal queries, offering listeners both professional insights and a touch of humor.

Segment 1: Ask Us Anything – Work Question

Timestamp: [00:40] – [11:30]

Question from Brianna, Austin, Texas: Brianna poses a common challenge: "We're having a lot of internal debates where nobody agrees on why and how people are using our products. How can we get more input from our customers and prospects that can guide our plans?"

Jay’s Insightful Response:

1. Critique of Traditional Surveys: Jay starts by criticizing conventional survey methods, stating, "Surveys are garbage, okay?" (00:40). He likens them to asking someone's favorite color to design their entire wardrobe—insufficient for capturing nuanced customer insights.

2. Shift to Free-Form Feedback: Emphasizing the power of open-text feedback forms, Jay explains how they allow customers to express themselves without restrictive answer options. This approach garners richer, more actionable data.

3. Leveraging AI for Synthesis: With advancements in AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, Jay highlights how processing free-form responses has become efficient. He suggests using AI to cluster, summarize, and identify patterns within the data, transforming raw feedback into strategic insights.

4. Practical Implementation Tips:

   • Engaging Form Questions: Instead of generic questions, Jay advises incorporating more engaging prompts such as, "If you had to convince your best friend to try us, what would you say?" (02:15).
   • Dedicated Campaigns for Feedback: Creating specific email campaigns with subject lines like "Just a Question" or "Need Your Input" can significantly increase response rates and the quality of feedback.

5. Supporting Statistics: Jay backs his recommendations with compelling statistics:

   • Qualtrics: Open-text feedback forms uncover 80% more actionable insights than closed surveys.
   • HubSpot: Three times more customer-specific solutions are derived from free-form responses.
   • SurveyMonkey: Surveys with free-text options improve overall customer sentiment by 58%.

6. Real-World Example – Eventtastic: Jay shares a success story from their own Eventtastic event, where incorporating free-form questions led to 400 insightful submissions within the first hour, significantly influencing the event's direction (10:55).

Notable Quote:

"Surveys are like asking someone's favorite color and then designing their entire wardrobe based on that. It's a starting point, but not the complete picture." – Jay Schwedelson [00:40]

Segment 2: Ridiculous Questions – Dating Advice

Timestamp: [11:30] – [12:25]

In a surprising twist, Jay addresses four unconventional "ridiculous" questions related to dating advice, despite admitting his limited expertise in the area.

1. Expressing Dietary Preferences:

   • Question: What's the least awkward way to say I don't like sushi when my date suggests a sushi restaurant?
   • Jay's Advice: Be direct and simple: "I don't like sushi. Can we go to something else?" He expresses puzzlement over why this is even a question, highlighting the straightforwardness of honest communication. (08:15)

2. Google Searches Before a Date:

   • Question: Is it okay to Google someone before a first date, or does that make me a stalker?
   • Jay's Answer: Absolutely okay. Jay shares his own habit of Googling everyone, stating, "If you don't Google somebody before a first date, I think that's weird." (09:00)

3. Handling Remarks About an Ex:

   • Question: If my date calls their ex "crazy," should I run or ask for the full story?
   • Jay's Strategy: Encourage storytelling by asking for the full narrative, which not only provides entertainment but also offers insights into the date's perspectives. Understand what defines "crazy" from their viewpoint to gauge compatibility. (09:45)

4. Addressing Misleading Profile Photos:

   • Question: How do I politely tell someone that their profile photos are way too misleading?
   • Jay's Suggestion: Initiate a light conversation by asking, "Do you think I look like my profile photo?" This opens the door for them to explain any discrepancies naturally. If there's a significant mismatch and no interest, it's best to refrain from comments altogether. (10:30)

Notable Quote:

"Google them. If you don't Google somebody before a first date, I think that's weird." – Jay Schwedelson [09:00]

Segment 3: Upcoming Event Announcement

Timestamp: [11:30] – [12:25]

Towards the end of the episode, Jay promotes Eventtastic, a free virtual event encompassing all facets of event management. Scheduled for June, Eventtastic promises to be the world's largest gathering focused on consumer and business events, ranging from small workshops to large-scale webinars. With limited spots available, Jay encourages listeners involved in the events industry to register early at eventtastic.com.

Conclusion

Episode 256 of "Do This, NOT That" masterfully balances in-depth marketing strategies with light-hearted personal advice. Jay Schwedelson underscores the importance of evolving beyond traditional feedback mechanisms, leveraging AI to unlock deeper customer insights. Simultaneously, his foray into dating advice adds a refreshing layer of relatability and humor. For marketers seeking to refine their approach and enjoy a mix of professional and personal discourse, this episode is a valuable listen.

Additional Resources Mentioned:

• Marigold Loyalty Program Optimization Guide: Jay recommends accessing this free guide to enhance loyalty marketing strategies. Available at jschwedelson.com.

• Eventtastic Registration: Sign up for the upcoming event at eventtastic.com.

Tune in next week to "Do This, NOT That" for more actionable marketing tips, insights from top industry minds, and a touch of everyday chaos. Stay ahead in the competitive landscape and unlock your full marketing potential with Jay Schwedelson!