Episode Summary: "I am Failing! I stink at YouTube and so should you! + TV Shows I'm watching! Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 370"

Release Date: July 4, 2025
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
Host Organization: GURU Media Hub

Introduction to YouTube Struggles

In this candid episode, Jay Schwedelson opens up about his ongoing challenges with his YouTube strategy. Rather than shying away from failure, Jay embraces it, using his personal experience as a teaching moment for fellow marketers.

Key Points:

• Acknowledging Failure: Jay starts by admitting, “I am failing at YouTube and so should you!” (00:01), setting a tone of honesty and vulnerability.
• Importance of YouTube: He emphasizes the critical role YouTube plays in modern marketing, predicting its dominance in content consumption over the next few years.

The Rise of YouTube Shorts

Jay dives deep into the evolution of YouTube, highlighting the surge of short-form content as a game-changer for marketers.

Insights:

• Future of Content: “About three years from now, YouTube is going to be dominating content,” Jay explains (04:30), pointing to the increasing preference for short-form videos.
• Internet Traffic Statistics: He shares a startling statistic, “90% of Internet traffic right now is short form and longer form video,” emphasizing the shift in how audiences consume content (02:45).
• YouTube Shorts Strategy: Jay discusses his pivot to YouTube Shorts, noting significant engagement despite a modest subscriber count.

Embracing and Learning from Failure

Jay champions the concept of "building in public," encouraging marketers to share both their successes and failures to foster genuine connections.

Notable Quotes:

• “We're all people. We're trying to connect with each other. We're trying to share the wins, the losses,” Jay asserts (00:25), advocating for authenticity in marketing.
• He reveals, “Only 9% of YouTube channels have over 600 subscribers,” challenging the stigma around lower subscriber numbers and motivating others to persist (10:10).

Effective YouTube Strategies

Drawing from his experiences, Jay outlines actionable strategies to enhance YouTube presence, particularly through Shorts.

Strategies Discussed:

• Content Tailoring: Jay criticizes common practices like repurposing content without adaptation, stating, “They’re not actually trying to play the game,” (04:30), emphasizing the need for platform-specific content.
• Engagement Metrics: He highlights his success with Shorts, “My shorts are averaging over a thousand views a short,” showcasing the potential reach even with a smaller subscriber base (09:15).
• Hands-On Approach: Jay stresses the importance of being actively involved in content creation and platform management to drive success.

The Importance of Hands-On Involvement

Jay underscores the necessity for marketers and business leaders to remain engaged with the tools and platforms they use, rather than delegating entirely to teams or agencies.

Key Takeaways:

• Control and Understanding: “You need to have your hands on the controls,” Jay advises (13:50), advocating for direct involvement to gain deeper insights and influence outcomes.
• Active Participation: He shares his commitment to mastering YouTube by actively participating in the creation and analysis process, despite initial setbacks.

The Ridiculous Portion: Jay’s Current TV Shows

In a lighter segment, Jay shares his current TV binge-watching habits, adding a personal touch and relatability to the episode.

TV Shows Discussed:

1. The Gilded Age (Max):
   • “If you've never tried this, go to season one, start the Gilded age. It gives three thumbs up for me,” Jay recommends (19:20).
2. Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service (Hulu):
   • He praises the show, “These restaurants are disgusting. They have like rats and the food’s gross. And I can’t watch this show enough,” highlighting its entertaining and transformative aspects (21:10).
3. Love Island (Peacock):
   • Jay humorously admits, “We’re family bonding, watching Love Island. What the hell’s wrong with me as a parent?” discussing the awkward yet bonding experience of watching reality TV with his family (23:45).
4. Bachelor in Paradise:
   • Excitement is palpable as Jay states, “There’s nothing better on tv... This is it. So Bachelor in Paradise. Very excited,” anticipating the new season’s diversity (25:30).

Conclusion and Encouragement

Jay wraps up the episode by reinforcing the value of embracing failure and maintaining authenticity in marketing efforts. He encourages listeners to actively engage with platforms like YouTube, learn through hands-on experience, and stay persistent despite obstacles.

Final Thoughts:

• “I'm going to grow this thing. It's going to happen. It's going to take me time,” Jay commits to his YouTube journey (17:50).
• He invites listeners to follow his progress and subscribe to his channel, fostering a sense of community and shared growth.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Embracing Authenticity:
  “We’re all people. We’re trying to connect with each other. We’re trying to share the wins, the losses.” (00:25)

• Internet Traffic Insight:
  “90% of Internet traffic right now is short form and longer form video.” (02:45)

• Critique on Content Repurposing:
  “They’re not actually trying to play the game.” (04:30)

• Subscriber Statistics:
  “Only 9% of YouTube channels have over 600 subscribers.” (10:10)

• Hands-On Marketing Approach:
  “You need to have your hands on the controls.” (13:50)

• Shorts Engagement:
  “My shorts are averaging over a thousand views a short.” (09:15)

• Commitment to Growth:
  “I'm going to grow this thing. It's going to happen. It's going to take me time.” (17:50)

Timestamps Reference

• [00:01] - Introduction and admission of YouTube struggles
• [00:25] - Embracing authenticity and sharing failures
• [02:45] - Statistics on internet traffic and short-form video
• [04:30] - Critique of current YouTube content strategies
• [09:15] - Success metrics for YouTube Shorts
• [10:10] - Subscriber statistics and their implications
• [13:50] - Importance of a hands-on approach in marketing
• [17:50] - Commitment to overcoming YouTube challenges
• [19:20] - Review of "The Gilded Age"
• [21:10] - Praise for "Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service"
• [23:45] - Discussing the family experience of watching "Love Island"
• [25:30] - Anticipation for "Bachelor in Paradise"

This episode serves as both a transparent look into Jay Schwedelson’s personal marketing challenges and a source of actionable insights for marketers striving to navigate the dynamic landscape of digital platforms. By sharing his failures and successes, Jay provides a roadmap for embracing authenticity and persistence in the ever-evolving world of marketing.