Podcast Summary: "Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson" | Episode 377

Title: STOP Being Positive! ➕ F1 Movie Review🏎️! Ask Us ANYTHING❓
Host: Jay Schwedelson
Presented By: Marigold
Release Date: July 16, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 377 of "Do This, NOT That!", hosted by Jay Schwedelson and presented by Marigold, listeners are treated to a blend of insightful marketing strategies and lighthearted banter. This episode uniquely combines practical marketing advice with a fun segment addressing audience questions, alongside a brief review of the movie "F1."

Ask Us Anything Segment

Lindsay's Question: The Overuse of Positivity in Marketing

Timestamp: [00:01] – [23:45]

Lindsay from Cincinnati poses a thought-provoking question about the pervasive push for positivity in marketing. She notes that her boss's constant insistence on using upbeat language—words like "grow," "win," and "achieve"—is becoming counterproductive. She wonders if her discomfort with this overly positive approach is justified and seeks validation or data to support her feelings.

Jay’s Response: Embracing Negativity for Better Engagement

Jay acknowledges Lindsay's frustration, agreeing that excessive positivity can indeed become "wallpaper" in marketing communications. He argues that contrary to popular belief, leveraging negative language can significantly enhance engagement and performance in marketing efforts.

1. Impact of Negative Language in Headlines

   • Outbrain Data: Negative words like "worst," "don't," and "never" can lead to a 63% increase in click-through rates compared to their positive counterparts.

     • Example: "Seven Worst Budget Mistakes Marketers Still Make" outperforms "Seven Ways to Build a Better Marketing Budget."

   • Backlinko Insights: Headlines that highlight mistakes or wrongdoings can double the click-through rate.

     • Example: "Mistakes Killing Your CRM Strategy" vs. "Tips to Optimize Your CRM Strategy."

2. Using Negative Emojis in Subject Lines

   • Subjectline.com Data: Incorporating negative emojis at the beginning of email subject lines can boost open rates by over 17% compared to the absence of emojis, surpassing the effectiveness of positive emojis.
     • Examples: Using a warning triangle (⚠️) in "You're Losing Leads Fast" or a broken heart (💔) in "Still Waiting to Upgrade?" can capture attention more effectively than happy or party emojis.

3. The "Nope" Subject Line Technique

   • Experian Findings: Subject lines with negative constructs, such as "Stop Burning Ad Budget" instead of "Maximize Ad ROI Today," achieve 17% higher average open rates.

Jay emphasizes that integrating negative and fear-based elements in marketing copy can resonate more deeply with audiences, prompting higher engagement and action.

Ridiculous Question Segment

Daryl's Query: Jay’s Take on Movies and Movie Theaters

Timestamp: [23:46] – [38:20]

Daryl from Sacramento asks an offbeat question about Jay's movie-watching habits, highlighting that Jay typically discusses TV shows rather than movies. He inquires whether Jay enjoys going to the cinema and if he has any recent film recommendations.

Jay’s “F1” Movie Review and Movie Theater Anecdotes

Jay enthusiastically shares his recent experience watching "F1," a car racing movie starring Brad Pitt. Despite admitting limited knowledge about car racing, Jay praises the film highly, mentioning that both he and his wife enjoyed it:
“This movie was amazing. My wife loved it too. I am telling you, this is an absolutely great movie.” [Timestamp: 25:30]

However, Jay transitions into humorous grievances about modern movie-going experiences:

• Blankets in Theaters: Jay questions the rationale behind audience members bringing blankets, finding it intrusive:
  “Who does it? Why are people doing that?” [Timestamp: 27:15]

• Shoes Off: He expresses disgust at patrons removing their shoes in theaters:
  “That's disgusting. It's like, what? You're not home.” [Timestamp: 28:50]

• Movie Trailers: A playful rant about the prevalence of horror movie trailers annoys him, especially since he and his wife have differing views on trailers:
  “I love trailers. She thinks they're terrible.” [Timestamp: 31:10]

Jay humorously laments the overabundance of subpar horror movie previews, expressing a desire for a more diverse range of trailers:
“Are 95% of movies coming out horror movies? Because why is every trailer a horror movie?” [Timestamp: 34:45]

Conclusion

In this engaging episode, Jay Schwedelson adeptly balances delivering actionable marketing insights with relatable personal anecdotes. By challenging the conventional wisdom of maintaining constant positivity in marketing, Jay provides valuable data-driven strategies that marketers can implement to enhance their campaigns. The lighthearted movie discussion adds a personal touch, making the episode both informative and entertaining.

Notable Quotes:

• Jay on Positive Marketing:
  “Everybody thinks, oh, yeah, be positive. Be all warm and fuzzy. But that's actually not what we react to and what we respond to.” [00:10]

• On Negative Headlines:
  “If you talk to people telling that they're doing something wrong, it will actually double your click through rate.” [12:30]

• Regarding Emojis in Emails:
  “Negative emojis as the first character in your subject line actually lift open rates over 17% versus not having them at all.” [17:50]

• On Movie Trailers:
  “Are 95% of movies coming out horror movies? Because why is every trailer a horror movie?” [34:45]

For more actionable marketing tips and engaging discussions, subscribe to "Do This, NOT That!" and join Jay Schwedelson on his journey to marketing mastery.