Episode Summary: Ep. 315 - Ask Us ANYTHING❓ Go VIRAL With Smart Controversy (and Why Idol > The Voice)🎤

Released on April 23, 2025, "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson," presented by Marigold and hosted by GURU Media Hub, dives into innovative marketing strategies and engaging discussions that empower marketers to elevate their campaigns. In Episode 315, Jay Schwedelson addresses listener questions, focusing on the effective use of stealth controversy in marketing and shares his unique perspective on singing competition shows.

1. Introduction to the Episode

Jay Schwedelson opens the episode by welcoming listeners and outlining the format for the week: tackling one work-related question and one "ridiculous" question submitted by listeners. He encourages audience participation, highlighting the importance of community engagement.

Notable Quote:

[00:00] Jay Schwedelson: "Welcome to 'Do This, NOT That,' the podcast for marketers. You'll walk away from each episode with actionable tips you can test immediately."

2. Utilizing Stealth Controversy in Marketing

Listener Question: Rob from Livingston, New Jersey, inquires about his marketing team’s desire to test social posts and email content that challenge an annoying industry myth. He asks if adopting a "hot take" on this myth is an effective marketing tactic or merely an expression of annoyance.

Jay's Response: Jay introduces the concept of stealth controversy, defining it as posing bold or divisive opinions without targeting individuals or brands aggressively. He emphasizes its growing effectiveness in an era dominated by AI-generated content.

Key Insights:

• Definition of Stealth Controversy:

  Stealth controversy involves sharing bold opinions that challenge common beliefs without naming or shaming specific entities.

• Effectiveness in the Current Landscape: With the saturation of generic AI content, stealth controversy helps brands stand out by addressing and debunking prevalent myths.

• Statistics Supporting Stealth Controversy:

  • Social Posts: Implementing stealth controversy can lead to a 35% higher average engagement rate.

    "Stealth controversy used in social posts actually leads to a 35% higher average engagement rate." (00:10)

  • Email Subject Lines: This tactic can result in a 22% increase in email open rates for both B2B and consumer marketers.

    "Stealth controversy in email subject lines leads to an average of a 22% increase in email open rates." (00:15)

Applications for Different Marketing Sectors:

• Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketing:

  • Example: A LinkedIn post questioning the relevance of webinars in 2025, followed by data showcasing how recent webinars significantly boosted pipeline growth.

    "There's still a belief that webinars are dead. Are we still doing this in 2025?" (00:25)

• Consumer Marketing:

  • Example: A social media post claiming that a popular skincare tip is actually detrimental, accompanied by expert insights correcting the misconception.

    "This skincare tip is actually ruining your skin." (00:40)

Benefits of Stealth Controversy:

• Engagement: Creates "stop the scroll" moments that capture attention without being overtly confrontational.
• Community Building: Encourages tribalism, where audiences align with the brand's stance against outdated beliefs.
• Brand Integrity: Maintains a classy image by avoiding direct attacks on competitors or individuals.

Conclusion on Stealth Controversy: Jay underscores the importance of testing stealth controversy in marketing strategies to foster engagement, encourage content interaction, and drive measurable results.

3. The Ridiculous Question: Singing Competition Shows

Listener Question: Jenny from Wichita, Kansas, asks Jay about his views on singing competition shows, specifically inquiring whether he watches them and which ones he deems the best.

Jay's Response: Jay candidly shares his preferences, expressing a strong favor for American Idol over The Voice. He argues that American Idol has a proven track record of creating genuine stars, unlike The Voice.

Key Points:

• Preference for American Idol:

  • Success Stories: Highlights stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert as products of American Idol who have achieved substantial success.

    "American Idol has produced legit stars. People that have gone on to have massive careers." (01:10)

• Critique of The Voice:

  • Lack of Successful Alumni: Points out that The Voice has not produced winners who have sustained significant careers post-show, citing Javier Colon as the only notable example.

    "The Voice is a joke. It's an absolute joke." (01:40)

• Comparison with Other Shows:

  • America's Got Talent: Recognizes America's Got Talent for producing diverse and successful performers like ventriloquist Terry Fittor, who secured a $100 million deal.

    "America's Got Talent... signed a $100 million deal at the Mirage in Las Vegas. That's a legit star." (02:05)

• Impact on Audience Engagement: Jay relates his preference back to marketing by emphasizing how genuine success stories from reality shows can inspire and engage audiences, paralleling the effectiveness of authentic content in marketing strategies.

Conclusion on Singing Shows: Jay’s analysis serves as an analogy for marketing authenticity. Just as American Idol authentically cultivates true talent, marketers should strive for genuine engagement and trustworthy content to build lasting relationships with their audience.

4. Final Thoughts and Call to Action

While the episode concludes with promotional content and calls to action, such as encouraging listeners to leave reviews and register for events, these sections are beyond the scope of the content-focused summary.

Overall Conclusion: In Episode 315, Jay Schwedelson provides valuable insights into leveraging stealth controversy as a powerful marketing tactic to enhance engagement and open rates. Additionally, his candid discussion on singing competition shows serves as an illustrative metaphor for the importance of authenticity and genuine value in both media production and marketing practices. Listeners are encouraged to apply these strategies to refine their marketing approaches and achieve remarkable results.