Podcast Summary: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson | Ep. 291

Title: What's Up THIS WEEK: 🍓$19 Erewhon STRAWBERRY?➕SPRING Subject Lines Tests! Instagram AI NONSENSE
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Presented By: Marigold
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Produced By: GURU Media Hub

1. Introduction

In Episode 291 of "Do This, NOT That!", host Jay Schwedelson delves into a variety of current topics impacting the marketing landscape. From airline policy changes to innovative (and controversial) uses of AI in social media, Jay provides insightful commentary and practical advice for marketers looking to stay ahead of the curve.

2. Southwest Airlines’ Marketing Shake-Up

Timestamp: 00:40 – 03:00

Jay begins the episode by discussing recent strategic changes made by Southwest Airlines, highlighting the termination of their beloved baggage policy and the discontinuation of their unique open seat policy.

He critiques these moves, emphasizing the potential negative impact on brand loyalty:

"But if you're not looking at the overall message and that it's sending to your loyal customers and people that care about your brand, and you're eliminating things that make you who you are. The numbers don't always tell that story." — Jay Schwedelson [02:15]

Jay points out how other brands, like Amtrak and Aldi, capitalized on Southwest’s changes by mocking them on social media, leading to viral engagement:

"Amtrak posted a post that went viral and they wrote, 'Guess we're the only ones doing free baggage now.' And it got over 13 million views." — Jay Schwedelson [03:00]

Key Takeaway: Maintaining core brand values is crucial, even when data suggests otherwise. Abrupt policy changes can alienate loyal customers and open the door for competitors to gain traction through viral marketing.

3. Leveraging Spring in Email Marketing

Timestamp: 03:00 – 05:30

Transitioning to email marketing strategies, Jay emphasizes the untapped potential of seasonal themes, particularly spring, to boost engagement rates. Drawing from data provided by SubjectLine.com, he suggests incorporating spring-related keywords into email subject lines to achieve a 10-15% lift in open rates.

"Words like 'fresh' or the word 'spring' or the word 'refresh' or 'grow,' and especially this idea of spring cleaning… does really great." — Jay Schwedelson [04:20]

He encourages marketers to creatively integrate these themes to stay relevant and resonate with their audience:

"You want to feel current, you want to feel relevant, you want to feel part of what's going on." — Jay Schwedelson [05:00]

Key Takeaway: Seasonal themes offer a powerful opportunity to enhance email marketing performance. By aligning subject lines with timely events like the first day of spring, marketers can increase their open rates and overall engagement.

4. Instagram’s AI-Generated Comments: A Marketing Dilemma

Timestamp: 05:30 – 07:00

Jay shifts focus to the controversial introduction of AI-generated comments on Instagram. He expresses his frustration with the feature, questioning its necessity and potential impact on genuine user interaction:

"We no longer need to have any ability to have original thought. Like, is this necessary that somebody has to tell us how to comment on a post?" — Jay Schwedelson [06:10]

He critiques the feature as a step back in authentic social media engagement:

"I hope this doesn't happen because this is stupid." — Jay Schwedelson [06:45]

Key Takeaway: While AI can offer efficiency, over-reliance on automated interactions may undermine the authenticity that is vital for meaningful engagement on social media platforms.

5. The $19 Erewhon Strawberry Phenomenon

Timestamp: 07:00 – 09:30

In a lighter yet insightful segment, Jay comments on the viral trend of the $19 Erewhon strawberries. He critiques the phenomenon as a reflection of consumerism and the lengths people will go to for perceived exclusivity:

"You've lost our minds between AI comments in Instagram, $20 strawberries. What are we doing?" — Jay Schwedelson [08:10]

He explains the cultural context behind the high-priced strawberries, noting their origins in Japan’s tradition of gifting premium fruits:

"In Japan, there are this whole fancy situation… it's really wild. Like the regular supermarket, they'll have like a full cantaloupe, okay? And the cantaloupe will be in the nicest wrapping as if it's a Christmas gift and it's expensive." — Jay Schwedelson [08:45]

Jay’s candid stance:

"I wouldn't pay 20 bucks for a thing of strawberries. I don't even. I just don't even know what's going on." — Jay Schwedelson [09:00]

Key Takeaway: High-end consumer products, such as the $19 Erewhon strawberries, highlight the extremes of marketing and consumer behavior, where exclusivity and perceived value drive purchasing decisions, sometimes beyond practicality.

6. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jay wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of staying authentic in marketing efforts and being mindful of consumer perceptions. He encourages listeners to balance innovative strategies with genuine engagement to build lasting relationships with their audience.

Final Quote:

"Listen, I appreciate you being here. It'd be awesome if you left this thing a review. You'd be my new best friend." — Jay Schwedelson [09:30]

Call to Action: Jay invites listeners to subscribe for more actionable tips and insights, and to engage with the podcast by leaving reviews and attending free virtual marketing events at guruevents.com.

Key Insights & Takeaways

• Brand Consistency: Sudden changes to beloved policies can harm brand loyalty. Ensure that strategic shifts align with core brand values.

• Seasonal Marketing: Utilize seasonal themes, like spring, in email subject lines to enhance engagement and open rates.

• Authenticity in AI Usage: While AI can streamline interactions, maintaining authentic engagement is crucial for meaningful customer relationships.

• Consumer Behavior: High-end product trends, such as the $19 Erewhon strawberries, reflect the complexities of consumer value perceptions and the impact of exclusivity in marketing.

Podcast Resources:

• Sponsor: Marigold – A relationship marketing platform helping businesses acquire new customers and turn them into superfans with top-tier loyalty solutions.

• Events: Visit guruevents.com for free access to virtual marketing events featuring industry leaders like Daymond John and Martha Stewart.

Stay tuned to "Do This, NOT That!" for more expert marketing tips, trend analyses, and strategies to elevate your marketing game.