Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson | Ep. 366"

Title: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
Episode: Q4 & Holiday Marketing Starts NOW! 🎁⛄️ Jay’s SCOOP | Ep. 366
Release Date: June 27, 2025

Introduction to Early Q4 and Holiday Marketing

In this episode, Jay Schwedelson emphasizes the critical importance of initiating Q4 and holiday marketing strategies as early as mid-July. Contrary to the common perception of enjoying summer barbecues, both consumers and business professionals begin shifting their focus toward the holiday season and Q4 planning much earlier than anticipated.

Key Statistics Highlighted:

• Early Holiday Shopping:
  • Google Study: 34% of US consumers start holiday shopping in early July, up from 28% the previous year.
  • Gartner Report: 32% of consumers begin their holiday shopping in July.
• Q4 Deal Initiation:
  • LinkedIn Data: 68% of Q4 deals commence during the summer.
• ROI and Performance:
  • HubSpot: Launching campaigns during the summer’s low-competition period can result in a 170% increase in ROI.
  • Forrester: 62% of sales teams failed to meet Q4 targets due to inadequate preparation in Q2 and Q3.

Jay's Insight:
"Believe it or not, towards the middle of July, we flip a switch on our consumer side of our brains, we're actually thinking about the holiday season. On the business side of our brains, we are thinking about Q4."
(00:02)

Effective Email Marketing Strategies

Jay delves into actionable email marketing tactics tailored for both B2B and B2C audiences, underscoring the significance of timely and relevant subject lines to enhance open rates.

For B2B Audiences:

• Q4-Focused Subject Lines: After July 4th, subject lines referencing Q4 see a 14% higher average open rate compared to those mentioning Q3.
  • Examples:
    • "Back from BBQs, let's build Q4"
    • "Q4 starts now. Your roadmap inside"

For B2C Audiences:

• Holiday-Centric Subject Lines: Subject lines that mention the holidays experience a 22% increase in open rates.
  • Examples:
    • "Should we bring this back for the holidays?"
    • "Shh. Secret holiday deal"

Jay's Advice:
"It's not always about what you do. It's about testing everything and getting in the mindset of the people that you're marketing to."
(00:12)

Optimizing Social Media Content

Social media strategies should mirror the early shift towards Q4 and holiday themes to maximize engagement and relevance.

For B2B Audiences:

• Q4-Themed Headlines: Implementing Q4-themed headlines can drive a 25% higher engagement compared to Q3 content.
  • Examples:
    • "Here's what's coming in December, already."
    • "We're prepping our Q4 [Guide/Report]"

For B2C Audiences:

• Holiday-Oriented Posts: Creating posts around holiday preparations and exclusive offers can significantly boost engagement.
  • Examples:
    • "Is your tree up?"
    • "These will sell out this holiday season."
    • "Holiday comeback collection"

Jay's Recommendation:
"It is way better to be too early than too late. Send out one email with a subject line that talks about Q4 or the holiday season. Post one piece of content that talks about Pre-holiday or Q4. Test and see if it pulls better."
(00:20)

The Importance of Early Testing and Adaptation

Jay stresses the necessity of experimenting with early Q4 and holiday messaging to stay ahead of competitors and capture the audience’s attention during a less saturated period.

Testing Strategies:

• Email Campaigns: Experiment with different subject lines focused on Q4 and holidays to measure impact on open rates.
• Social Media Posts: Diversify content to include Q4 and holiday themes and monitor engagement metrics.
• Offers and Lead Magnets: Rename offers to align with holiday or Q4 themes to assess their effectiveness.

Jay's Perspective:
"This is an easy test. And it's far better to get ahead of things, than to be behind things."
(00:28)

Conclusion: Embrace the Early Shift

Jay concludes by reaffirming the benefits of initiating Q4 and holiday marketing strategies early. By aligning marketing efforts with the early shift in consumer and business mindsets, marketers can enhance their campaign effectiveness and achieve better ROI.

Final Takeaway:
"Ride the wave of early holiday and Q4 planning to ensure your campaigns are timely, relevant, and ahead of the competition."

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• “Believe it or not, towards the middle of July, we flip a switch on our consumer side of our brains, we're actually thinking about the holiday season. On the business side of our brains, we are thinking about Q4.”
  (00:02)

• “It's not always about what you do. It's about testing everything and getting in the mindset of the people that you're marketing to.”
  (00:12)

• “It is way better to be too early than too late. Send out one email with a subject line that talks about Q4 or the holiday season. Post one piece of content that talks about Pre-holiday or Q4. Test and see if it pulls better.”
  (00:20)

• “This is an easy test. And it's far better to get ahead of things, than to be behind things.”
  (00:28)

Final Thoughts

Jay Schwedelson provides a compelling argument for the urgency of early Q4 and holiday marketing initiatives. By leveraging timely statistics and implementing strategic email and social media tactics, marketers can significantly enhance their campaign performance and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. The episode serves as a crucial call to action for marketers to adapt their strategies promptly and effectively.