Podcast Summary: SPECIAL SERIES: How to Start New Year STRONG! | BATHROOM Break #35

Podcast Information:

• Title: Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson | Presented By Marigold
• Host/Author: GURU Media Hub
• Episode: SPECIAL SERIES: How to Start New Year STRONG! | BATHROOM Break #35 (COLLAB: The Marketing Millennials + Do This, Not That)
• Release Date: December 30, 2024

In this special episode of "Do This, NOT That," hosts Jay Schwedelson from the "Do This, Not That" podcast and Daniel Murray from the "Marketing Millennials" collaborate for the "Bathroom Break" series. Geared towards marketers looking to kickstart their strategies for the new year, the episode delves into effective tactics to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in the early weeks of the year.

1. Introduction to the Bathroom Break Series

The episode begins with a lighthearted introduction by Jay and Daniel, setting the tone for a relaxed yet informative discussion. They humorously juxtapose the idea of using the bathroom as a time to absorb quick marketing tips, emphasizing that listeners can multitask their way to marketing mastery.

Notable Quote:

• Jay (00:00): "That extra 10 minutes you either have to listen to marketing tips or use the bathroom. Or both. But I don't recommend both."

2. Understanding the New Year Mindset

The crux of the episode focuses on the distinct mindset consumers and business professionals adopt at the start of the year. Jay highlights that while many individuals aim to form new habits—such as seeking educational content for personal or professional development—there's a simultaneous trend of decluttering digital spaces, leading to higher email unsubscribe rates and reduced engagement.

Key Points:

• Habit Formation vs. Decluttering:

  • Jay (02:04): "People are in the starting habit mindset. The negative of that is that people will start deleting subscriptions... The positive is, people are starting to form new habits and you could be a part of those habits."

• Strategic Content Delivery:

  • Emphasize educational and valuable content tailored to the audience's aspirations for the new year.
  • For B2B audiences, focus on informative pieces such as industry trends, forecasts, and actionable insights.
  • For consumers, provide practical tips like healthier lifestyle choices or updated fashion trends.

3. Tactical Approaches for Early-Year Marketing

Jay and Daniel discuss specific strategies marketers can employ to effectively engage their audience during this period of habit formation.

Strategies Discussed:

• Doubling Down on Educational Content:

  • Jay (03:19): Encourages marketers to leverage the period when audiences are eager to learn and grow, positioning their content as essential resources for those seeking self-improvement or professional advancement.

• Leveraging Social Media Dynamics:

  • Daniel (04:42): Highlights that while engagement metrics like click-through rates may dip initially, this period is ideal for reaching out to influencers and creators when they are less inundated with interactions. Building relationships during this time can pay long-term dividends.

• Consistency in Marketing Habits:

  • Jay (05:47): Stresses the importance of maintaining consistent marketing efforts beyond the initial excitement of the new year. He warns against the common pitfall where marketers abandon their initiatives mid-year, undermining long-term success.

4. Personal Insights and Data-Driven Observations

Drawing from personal experiences, Jay shares insights from his podcast's download statistics, revealing a spike in January and February, followed by a sharp decline as the year progresses. This trend underscores the heightened appetite for fresh content at the year's onset and the necessity for marketers to capitalize on this window.

Notable Quote:

• Jay (06:35): "People are here. I'm going to learn in '25. So they start listening to all the marketing podcasts that they can."

5. Navigating Social Engagement During Low Activity Periods

The hosts discuss how lower engagement rates on social platforms during the early weeks can be turned into opportunities for meaningful interactions. By being intentional in connecting with key influencers and creators, marketers can establish valuable relationships without the usual noise of high engagement periods.

6. Wrapping Up: Moving Beyond the New Year Hype

In concluding remarks, the conversation shifts to the social etiquette of wishing a "Happy New Year" and the importance of swiftly transitioning to subsequent marketing themes to maintain momentum. Both hosts advocate for moving past the New Year greetings to focus on actionable strategies that drive long-term results.

Notable Quotes:

• Jay (07:36): "If you want to stand out, just stop saying Happy New Year."
• Daniel (08:21): "I'm pretty rough when it comes to all that... Happy Valentine's Day. Let's move on."

7. Final Thoughts and Promotions

The episode wraps up with mutual promotion of each other's podcasts, encouraging listeners to explore both "Do This, Not That" and "The Marketing Millennials" for ongoing marketing insights and tips.

Conclusion: This episode of "Do This, NOT That" offers a comprehensive guide for marketers aiming to harness the unique dynamics of the new year. By understanding the audience's mindset, delivering targeted educational content, maintaining consistent marketing practices, and leveraging the quieter periods for strategic relationship-building, marketers can set themselves up for sustained success throughout the year.

Key Takeaways:

• Align Content with New Year Goals: Focus on educational and valuable content that aligns with the audience's desire for self-improvement and professional growth.
• Maintain Consistency: Commit to long-term marketing strategies rather than short-lived initiatives.
• Leverage Low Engagement Periods: Utilize quieter times to build meaningful connections with influencers and creators.
• Adapt to Audience Mindset: Recognize the dual trends of habit formation and digital decluttering, tailoring strategies accordingly.

By implementing these strategies, marketers can effectively navigate the early-year landscape, ensuring their campaigns resonate and drive meaningful engagement.