Episode Summary: "Ask Us ANYTHING❓BORING Company Tactics! Employee Social Media Takeover CRUSHES IT!➕ ADVICE on Issues with FRIENDS!"

In Episode 284 of "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson," hosted by GURU Media Hub and presented by Marigold, Jay Schwedelson delves into an engaging Q&A session addressing both marketing challenges in conservative industries and personal advice related to friendships. This episode provides actionable strategies for marketers navigating restrictive environments and offers candid, albeit blunt, advice on handling common friend-related dilemmas.

1. Navigating Marketing in Conservative Industries

a. Common Challenges: Limited Creativity and Engagement

Marketers operating within conservative or traditionally "boring" industries—such as manufacturing, accounting, legal services, or consumer healthcare—often find their creative hands tied by strict brand guidelines and industry norms. Jay Schwedelson highlights a recurring question from listeners:

Jay Schwedelson [01:19]: "Jay, I work in a boring slash conservative industry and my hands are tied on being able to be overly creative. What can I do to drive engagement?"

He emphasizes that attempting minor creative tweaks, like adding emojis to subject lines or launching isolated campaigns (e.g., April Fool's), often fails to produce significant, sustained engagement. These efforts are typically seen as one-off attempts that don't contribute to a long-term strategy.

b. Strategic Approaches: Revamping Content Formats

Instead of focusing on superficial changes, Jay advises marketers to implement comprehensive strategies that offer sustained engagement:

• Introducing a Second, Distinctive Newsletter [02:35]:

  For companies bound to a standard, uninteresting newsletter, Jay suggests launching an additional newsletter with a radically different format. For example:

  Jay Schwedelson [03:23]: "One of the best ones that you could do is an insider secret format. All right? And this is where it's literally called, you know, the insider secret or the insider tips this week."

  This approach allows marketers to provide valuable, niche content without altering the primary newsletter, thereby maintaining brand consistency while offering fresh value.

• Mythbuster Format [04:25]:

  Another effective strategy is the "Everyday Mythbuster" format, where each edition tackles common misconceptions within the industry.

  Jay Schwedelson [04:27]: "You take whatever are the myths— the most common beliefs every week, and then you talk about them. And it makes your company seem like a thought leader, which you are."

  This format not only engages readers by debunking myths but also positions the company as an authoritative voice in the field.

c. Enhancing Social Media Engagement

Jay transitions to discussing social media strategies tailored for conservative industries:

• Employee Takeover Days [04:52]:

  Allowing employees to take over company social media accounts for a day can significantly boost engagement.

  Jay Schwedelson [04:54]: "Nobody cares. It's wallpaper. What can you do to stand out a little bit that you can get the okay on, right?"

  By letting employees showcase their daily roles and personalities, companies can humanize their brand and foster a deeper connection with their audience. This tactic has been proven to increase engagement rates by approximately 40%.

• AI-Generated Industry Predictions [06:26]:

  Utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT or Grok to generate industry-specific predictions can create compelling content for social platforms.

  Jay Schwedelson [06:26]: "Industry you're in, then you show that in social posts, this is what I said is going to happen. And then you have your take on what you think is going to happen. And that is awesome."

  This method leverages technology to provide insightful forecasts, establishing the company as forward-thinking and data-driven.

• "Would You Rather" Post Series [06:55]:

  Engaging audiences with interactive "Would You Rather" questions tailored to the industry can stimulate conversation and participation.

  Jay Schwedelson [06:55]: "Would you rather invest $10,000 today or get $50,000 in 10 years? I don't actually know the answer."

  These posts encourage audience interaction, enhancing visibility and fostering a sense of community among followers.

2. Personal Advice on Friendship Issues

Shifting gears, Jay addresses a series of personal questions related to maintaining and managing friendships. His responses are notably straightforward and unapologetically blunt, offering no-nonsense solutions:

a. Addressing Financial Obligations Among Friends [09:12]

Jay Schwedelson [09:12]: "Hello, you owe me $40. Can I have my money, please?"

Jay advocates for directness in financial matters, emphasizing that delays in addressing debts only exacerbate awkwardness.

b. Handling Friends Who Seek Favors Exclusively [10:00]

Jay Schwedelson [10:00]: "That person is a clown. Because they're using you. They don't actually like you."

He advises distancing oneself from friends who exploit the relationship, labeling such individuals as lacking genuine friendship intentions.

c. Dealing with Friends Who Constantly Brag [10:33]

Jay Schwedelson [10:33]: "If you just run around telling people how great you're doing, you're actually having a problem."

Jay recommends limiting interactions with friends who are excessively boastful, suggesting that such behavior often masks underlying insecurities.

d. Maintaining Friendships with Changed Individuals [11:54]

Jay Schwedelson [11:54]: "There's a lot of people, 8 billion people out there. Make new friends."

He underscores the importance of evaluating whether a long-standing friendship is worth maintaining, especially if significant personal changes have led to a disconnect.

3. Key Takeaways and Insights

• Long-Term Strategy Over Quick Fixes: Instead of implementing minor creative changes that may not yield substantial results, marketers in conservative industries should focus on developing robust strategies that provide ongoing engagement and value.

• Humanizing the Brand: Allowing employees to represent the brand on social media can significantly enhance engagement and internal morale, creating a more relatable and authentic brand image.

• Interactive and Insightful Content: Utilizing AI for industry predictions and creating interactive content like "Would You Rather" posts can drive higher engagement and position the company as an innovative thought leader.

• Directness in Personal Relationships: Being straightforward and honest in personal interactions, especially when addressing sensitive issues, is crucial for maintaining healthy and genuine friendships.

Notable Quotes

• On Newsletter Strategies:

  Jay Schwedelson [03:23]: "One of the best ones that you could do is an insider secret format."

• On Employee Engagement:

  Jay Schwedelson [05:47]: "Have about a 40% higher engagement rate."

• On Direct Communication with Friends:

  Jay Schwedelson [09:12]: "Hello, you owe me $40. Can I have my money, please?"

Conclusion

In this episode, Jay Schwedelson effectively bridges the gap between professional marketing strategies and personal relationship advice. For marketers in conservative sectors, his insights offer a roadmap to revitalizing engagement through innovative content strategies and authentic brand representation. Simultaneously, his candid approach to personal advice underscores the importance of directness and self-awareness in maintaining meaningful friendships. Whether navigating industry constraints or personal dynamics, this episode provides valuable lessons for both professional growth and personal well-being.