Podcast Summary: Ep. 304 - Ask Us ANYTHING❓ Marketing BUDGETS Cut? Easy No Cost Wins! 😕 Dating Advice?

Title: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
Release Date: April 9, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 304 of "Do This, NOT That," hosted by Jay Schwedelson and presented by Marigold, the focus pivots to an interactive "Ask Us Anything" segment. This episode intertwines practical marketing strategies for businesses facing budget cuts with a humorous foray into unsolicited dating advice. Jay and his co-host tackle real-world marketing challenges while addressing offbeat listener questions, providing a blend of valuable insights and lighthearted entertainment.

Section 1: Navigating Marketing Budget Cuts

Timestamp [00:39]

The episode kicks off with a listener question from Jake in Springdale, Utah, concerning significant reductions in marketing budgets. Jay acknowledges the widespread impact of economic uncertainty on marketing expenditures, noting, "When there's uncertainty, marketing budgets get contracted because everyone's like, oh, no, we got to reign it in and see what's going to happen." (00:39).

Key Strategies Discussed:

1. Direct Messaging (DMing):

   • Personalized Outreach: Jay emphasizes leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram for direct messaging potential leads. He proposes involving the entire team in outreach efforts, stating, "Turn every employee in your company... into an engine for your company." (02:15).
   • Implementation: Equip employees with tailored scripts to engage their contacts, promoting webinars or special offers without incurring additional costs.

2. Optimizing Email Signatures:

   • Call-to-Action (CTA) Integration: By incorporating strong, timely CTAs in email signatures, companies can enhance click-through rates. Jay advises, "Get aggressive with your email signatures... you will get a high click through rate on that." (04:05).

3. Active Community Engagement:

   • Participate in Niche Groups: Whether it's Slack, Discord, Facebook, or LinkedIn communities, being active where the audience congregates can drive engagement. Jay recommends, "Get super active where your audience is... engaging."(05:20).

4. Strategic Collaborations:

   • Content and Promotion Swaps: Partnering with non-competitive entities to cross-promote can amplify reach without financial investment. Jay suggests, "Do swaps... you post about mine, I'll post about yours." (06:45).

5. Consistent Social Media Posting:

   • Increased Frequency: Boosting the number of daily posts can result in higher engagement. Jay notes, "If you're posting daily, separate it out by three hours... Any little piece of engagement matters." (07:30).

6. Enhanced Email Marketing:

   • Increased Frequency: Doubling email sends can lead to more clicks and interactions. He advises, "If you're sending an email once a week, send out emails twice a week." (09:10).

7. Referral Programs:

   • Leveraging Loyal Customers: Encouraging satisfied clients to refer others can be a powerful, cost-free strategy. Jay underscores, "Ask for referrals... you will be shocked about how many people are willing to do that." (11:50).

Conclusion on Budget Cuts: Jay emphasizes that in times of budget constraints, the key lies in harnessing the energy and creativity of the marketing team. By adopting these no-cost strategies, businesses can maintain visibility and drive leads without necessitating additional financial resources. He asserts, "You don't need marketing budget to change the game." (11:10).

Section 2: Ridiculous Questions - Dating Advice

Timestamp [12:33]

Shifting gears, Jay introduces the segment addressing "ridiculous questions," specifically focusing on dating advice—a topic outside his expertise. Despite his self-professed lack of knowledge, Jay responds humorously to three listener-submitted dating dilemmas.

1. Misnaming a Date Mid-Dinner:

   • Question: "I accidentally called my date by my ex's name mid dinner, and he won't let it go. What should I do?" (Timestamp [12:33])
   • Jay's Advice: He dismisses the issue, labeling the date as a "loser" for overreacting. "If the person's making a big deal out of nothing, they're a loser." (12:45).

2. Boring Conversations about Crypto:

   • Question: "My boyfriend loves talking about investing in crypto, and it is so boring. Is this a big problem?" (12:50)
   • Jay's Advice: He advises ending the relationship due to the lack of engaging conversation. "If they're boring, move on." (13:00).

3. Disliking Future In-Laws:

   • Question: "I really hate my potential future in laws. Is that a deal breaker?" (13:05)
   • Jay's Advice: He discusses the importance of the in-laws' involvement in the relationship, suggesting that dislike towards future in-laws could be a significant issue depending on their role. "If their parents are a huge part of their life, it’s a massive issue." (13:15).

Conclusion on Dating Advice: Jay maintains a humorous tone, eventually admitting his lack of expertise in dating, yet providing straightforward (albeit blunt) answers. This segment serves as a light-hearted contrast to the earlier serious marketing discussion, showcasing the podcast's versatility in handling diverse topics.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with Jay encouraging listeners to engage with future content and leave reviews, maintaining the podcast's interactive and community-driven ethos. While the primary focus was on tackling marketing challenges without substantial budgets, the infusion of comedic elements through the dating advice segment added a unique flair to the episode.

Overall Insights:

• Resourcefulness Over Budget: Emphasizing that creativity and team effort can compensate for limited financial resources in marketing.

• Team Empowerment: Encouraging every team member to contribute to marketing efforts through personalized outreach and active participation in community engagements.

• Humor and Relatability: Balancing serious marketing strategies with humorous takes on unrelated topics to keep the audience engaged and entertained.

Notable Quotes:

• "When there's uncertainty, marketing budgets get contracted because everyone's like, oh, no, we got to reign it in and see what's going to happen." (00:39)

• "Turn every employee in your company... into an engine for your company." (02:15)

• "You don't need marketing budget to change the game." (11:10)

• "If the person's making a big deal out of nothing, they're a loser." (12:45)

• "If you're posting daily, separate it out by three hours... Any little piece of engagement matters." (07:30)

This episode serves as a valuable resource for marketers navigating budget constraints while providing a dose of humor through unexpected topics. Jay Schwedelson and his co-host deliver actionable advice coupled with entertaining segments, making "Do This, NOT That" a well-rounded podcast for its audience.