Episode Summary: SPECIAL SERIES ===> JANUARY Marketing Tactics!🔵Saddest Day of The Year? Dry January? and more...!<=== | BATHROOM Break #36
Release Date: January 6, 2025
Hosts: Daniel Murray (Marketing Millennials) and Jay Schwedelson (Do This, Not That Podcast)
1. Embracing the New Year Mindset
The episode kicks off with a light-hearted discussion about the popular "New Year, New Me" mentality. Daniel Murray emphasizes the significance of this mindset shift, stating, “I think this is one of the best times to put out inspirational things because people need that inspiration to do things” (00:55). Jay concurs, highlighting the strategic advantage of initiating changes early in the year: “This is the best time to start those little tweaks because those little tweaks start adding up” (03:21).
2. January Email Marketing Performance
A significant portion of the conversation delves into email marketing strategies specific to January. Daniel points out a common trend: “the first two weeks of January stink for regular promotional email performance… But the second two weeks of January do really, really well” (02:25). He attributes the poor performance in the initial weeks to the post-holiday mentality of consumers. Jay suggests focusing on "low hanging fruit" during this period, such as tweaking landing pages or reviving dormant email sequences to enhance conversion rates (04:06).
3. Leveraging Seasonal Trends: Blue Monday and Dry January
The hosts explore how marketers can capitalize on seasonal trends to create engaging campaigns. Jay introduces the concept of "Blue Monday," the third Monday of January, touted as the saddest day of the year. He explains their strategy of crafting subject lines like “saddest day of the year?” followed by positive offers to uplift customers’ spirits (04:57). Daniel adds that integrating themes like Dry January can resonate with audiences aiming for self-improvement, offering products or services that support their goals (05:12).
4. Maximizing LinkedIn Connectivity in January
January is identified as an optimal time for building professional networks on LinkedIn. Daniel notes, “LinkedIn put out is that January is the month where people do more connections than any other month” (06:01). He advises using personalized notes in connection requests to increase acceptance rates and suggests reconnecting with past leads through warm, New Year-themed messages. This approach not only strengthens existing relationships but also rejuvenates cold leads affected by the holiday season (06:53).
5. Reigniting Cold Leads and Personalized Outreach
The discussion shifts to re-engaging leads that may have gone cold during the holidays. Daniel recommends sending personalized outreach messages, such as “Happy New Year” notes or tailored offers like a “Blue Monday” discount, to revive interest and prompt actionable responses (07:31). Jay echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of timely and relevant communication to reignite dormant leads.
6. Personal Resolutions: A Light-Hearted Interlude
Towards the end of the episode, the hosts share their personal New Year’s resolutions, adding a humorous and relatable touch to the conversation. Daniel humorously admits to breaking his resolution to lift weights consistently, recounting his first Pilates class experience (07:31). Jay shares his own light-hearted failure, enhancing the episode's engaging and personable atmosphere.
7. Closing Remarks and Podcast Promotion
The episode concludes with mutual promotion of each other's podcasts. Daniel encourages listeners to follow the Marketing Millennials podcast, while Jay highlights the popularity of his own "Do This, Not That" podcast on Apple Podcasts. They wrap up with invitations for listeners to engage with their content on LinkedIn, fostering community and ongoing dialogue (09:20).
Notable Quotes
- Daniel Murray: “I think this is one of the best times to put out inspirational things because people need that inspiration to do things.” (00:55)
- Jay Schwedelson: “This is the best time to start those little tweaks because those little tweaks start adding up.” (03:21)
- Daniel Murray: “LinkedIn put out is that January is the month where people do more connections than any other month.” (06:01)
- Jay Schwedelson: “It's something Apple’s doing, obviously.” (09:33)
Key Takeaways
- Timing is Crucial: The second half of January offers better engagement for email marketing, allowing marketers to implement strategic tweaks.
- Capitalize on Trends: Seasonal events like Blue Monday and Dry January provide thematic opportunities for creative campaigns.
- Network Building: January is ideal for expanding professional networks on LinkedIn, especially with personalized outreach.
- Re-engage Cold Leads: Personalized, timely communications can reignite interest from leads that cooled off during the holiday season.
- Stay Relatable: Sharing personal experiences and resolutions can create a more engaging and relatable connection with the audience.
For more actionable marketing tips and strategies, tune into the "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson" podcast, presented by Marigold.