Podcast Summary: Ep. 283 - "What's Up THIS WEEK: Impact of EXTERNAL Links in Posts! Grey’s Anatomy and McDreamy?"
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
1. Social Media Engagement and the Decline of External Links
Key Discussion Points: Jay and his co-host delve into the recent data released by Meta, shedding light on how external links within posts are significantly affecting engagement across major social media platforms.
Notable Insights:
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Meta’s Data on Facebook:
According to recent statistics shared by Meta, a staggering 97.9% of Facebook post views in the past quarter were from posts without external links. This indicates a strong deprioritization of posts containing external sources. -
Impact on Other Platforms:
Supporting this trend, Hootsuite’s data reveals that LinkedIn posts without external links receive six times more reach than those with external links. -
Shift Toward Paid Promotions:
The platforms’ algorithms are encouraging users to keep interactions within their ecosystems. Organic traffic from posts linking to external websites is dwindling, making paid boosting a necessity for broader reach.
Quotes:
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Unknown Speaker (00:40):
“Only 2% of the views on Facebook are those posts that have external links. They are completely deprioritizing external links.” -
Jay Schwedelson (00:40):
“Organic referring traffic is a dying thing. So you really want to consider baking into all of your budgets... you need to be thinking about boosting those posts.”
Actionable Takeaway: Marketers should allocate budget for boosting posts when incorporating external links to ensure their content reaches a wider audience, adapting to the evolving algorithms of social media platforms.
2. Challenges in Affiliate Marketing Amidst Google’s Policy Changes
Key Discussion Points: The conversation shifts to the recent upheaval in the affiliate marketing landscape, primarily driven by Google’s revised policies affecting product review sites.
Notable Insights:
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Google’s New Search Rules:
Google is discounting information from sites like CNN Underscore, Forbes Vetted, and other pay-to-play platforms. These sites often feature reviews written by freelancers who earn affiliate commissions from purchases made through their links. -
Shift Towards Organic Reviews:
The emphasis is now on organic, unbiased reviews, making it harder for affiliate marketing strategies that rely on paid reviews to rank in search results. -
Future of Affiliate Marketing:
With these changes, affiliate marketers may find it increasingly challenging to maintain visibility and effectiveness, suggesting a need to explore alternative traffic and marketing avenues.
Quotes:
- Unknown Speaker:
“Google is now banning or trying to ban all of these different types of pay to play reviews, shifting more towards the organic reviews.”
Actionable Takeaway: Affiliate marketers should reassess and diversify their strategies, potentially focusing more on creating genuine, high-quality content and exploring other marketing channels beyond traditional affiliate links.
3. Daylight Saving Time’s Impact on Email Marketing Performance
Key Discussion Points: A seemingly minor but impactful topic is addressed: the effect of the upcoming daylight saving time shift on email marketing metrics.
Notable Insights:
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Decrease in Email Open Rates:
In the three days following the daylight saving time change, there is an anticipated 15% drop in email open rates for messages sent between 6 AM and 9 AM. This dip is attributed to the general fatigue and disorientation caused by losing an hour of sleep. -
Strategic Considerations:
Marketers should be mindful of this temporary decline when scheduling email campaigns, especially those targeting morning hours during this period.
Quotes:
- Unknown Speaker:
“You'll see about a 15% lower open rate percentage of people opening up emails for those emails delivered between 6am to 9am for that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday following this weekend.”
Actionable Takeaway: Plan email marketing campaigns to either avoid peak morning times in the immediate aftermath of daylight saving adjustments or prepare for slightly lower engagement rates during these days.
4. Pop Culture References and Personal Anecdotes
Key Discussion Points: The hosts take a lighter turn, sharing personal stories and pop culture references that, while seemingly unrelated to marketing, offer relatable content for listeners.
Notable Insights:
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Grey’s Anatomy Milestone:
Celebrating the 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy, Jay expresses surprise and nostalgia about the show's longevity since its debut in 2005, highlighting how much has changed in the media landscape since then. -
Patrick Dempsey’s Transformation:
Jay shares a personal anecdote about how Patrick Dempsey’s nasal surgery altered his resemblance to the actor from "Can't Buy Me Love," affecting personal connections and perceptions. -
Gene Hackman’s Passing and Recommendation:
The hosts discuss Gene Hackman’s passing, attributing it to personal losses and sharing a recommendation for the film Runaway Jury, praising its quality despite being an older movie.
Quotes:
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Jay Schwedelson:
“Do not include links to a source outside of Facebook itself. What does that mean?... ensure your content stays within the platform to maximize reach.” -
Unknown Speaker:
“I cannot believe they're still pumping out new episodes... It has been around since 2005.” -
Jay Schwedelson:
“Never seen Runaway Jury, I know a lot of times people like, oh, who cares? It's older movie. This is one of the best movies.”
Actionable Takeaway: While not directly related to marketing strategies, engaging with pop culture can provide relatable content that fosters a connection with the audience, enhancing overall engagement and listener loyalty.
5. Promotion of Upcoming Virtual Event: Eventtastic
Key Discussion Points: The episode wraps up with a brief promotion of an upcoming virtual event aimed at marketers and public speakers.
Notable Insights:
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Event Details:
Eventtastic is a free, large-scale virtual event designed to cover webinars, in-person events, public speaking, and more. It features speakers like Andy Cohen from Bravo. -
Registration Urgency:
With limited virtual seats available, listeners are encouraged to register promptly to secure their spots.
Quotes:
- Unknown Speaker:
“If you put on webinars in person Events Virtual events if you want to learn about public speaking, this two day event is going to be wild.”
Actionable Takeaway: Marketers and public speakers should consider participating in Eventtastic to gain insights from top industry leaders and enhance their skills in public speaking and event management.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of "Do This, NOT That," Jay Schwedelson and his co-host provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and challenges in the marketing landscape. From the diminishing returns of external links on social media to the evolving dynamics of affiliate marketing under Google's new policies, listeners are equipped with valuable insights to adapt their strategies effectively. Additionally, practical advice on navigating temporary declines in email engagement due to daylight saving time changes and relatable pop culture anecdotes make the content both informative and engaging.
By addressing both strategic marketing concerns and offering relatable content, the episode ensures that marketers are not only informed but also entertained, fostering a well-rounded listening experience.
Notable Quotes Recap:
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Unknown Speaker (00:40): “Only 2% of the views on Facebook are those posts that have external links. They are completely deprioritizing external links.”
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Jay Schwedelson (00:40): “Organic referring traffic is a dying thing... you need to think about boosting those posts.”
-
Unknown Speaker: “You’ll see about a 15% lower open rate percentage of people opening up emails for those emails delivered between 6am to 9am for that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday following this weekend.”
-
Jay Schwedelson: “Never seen Runaway Jury, I know a lot of times people like, oh, who cares? It's older movie. This is one of the best movies.”
Stay tuned to "Do This, NOT That" for more actionable marketing tips and insights to elevate your marketing game and navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.