Podcast Summary: "Are Waitlists Even Worth It? | Bathroom Break #63 🚽"

Released on July 7, 2025, "Are Waitlists Even Worth It? | Bathroom Break #63 🚽" is a collaborative episode of The Marketing Millennials, hosted by Daniel Murray, and Jay Schwedelson from the "Do This, Not That" podcast and Subjectline.com. In this engaging discussion, Murray and Schwedelson delve into the strategic use of waitlists in modern marketing, exploring their effectiveness, applications, and best practices.

Introduction to the Bathroom Break Series

At [00:02], Daniel Murray introduces the session as part of a special series titled "Bathroom Break," a concise 10-minute segment packed with actionable marketing tips. The concept humorously likens the episode to a quick pit stop for marketers to gain insights while taking a bathroom break.

Understanding Waitlists in Marketing

Jay Schwedelson opens the conversation by posing a fundamental question: "Is it worth doing waitlists in your marketing, should this be a part of your arsenal or is this a bad tactic?" ([02:29]). This sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of waitlists' roles in both business and consumer contexts.

The Importance of Building Email Lists

Daniel Murray emphasizes the critical role of waitlists in building robust email lists:

"Building lists are really important marketing. Like you need to collect emails. So if you do not have any emails, like building a wait list or building a list of people is so important because algorithms, you can't like email is algorithm proved as you know, you're the email guy." ([03:05])

He highlights that email lists provide a direct line to the audience, independent of shifting social media algorithms. This direct access allows marketers to assess the effectiveness of their landing pages, copy, and offers.

Situations Ideal for Waitlists

Murray suggests that waitlists are particularly beneficial during significant product launches or major events:

"I think most, in most cases a wait list is good for like a product launch or a big launch, like collecting emails." ([03:36])

He acknowledges that while there are scenarios where waitlists might not be suitable, their strategic use can yield substantial benefits in anticipation-building and audience engagement.

Strategic Implementation of Waitlists

Jay Schwedelson shares practical insights from his experience organizing free virtual events. He explains how incentivizing waitlist signups can overcome the perception of unnecessary waiting:

"The first 500 people that join the wait list for our free virtual event will be entered into to win this wild 50 different VIP swag boxes that we're giving out." ([04:13])

This strategy serves multiple purposes:

1. Building Hype: Creating excitement around the event.
2. Data Collection: Gauging interest levels and understanding the target audience.
3. Pre-Launch Feedback: Identifying potential issues or adjusting marketing strategies based on signup data.

Daniel Murray expands on this by advocating for diversified marketing moments rather than relying solely on one big launch. He introduces the concept of a "Rolling Thunder launch," where incremental releases maintain sustained interest and engagement:

"If you're going to do a big launch for example and you don't know how social media is going to act on that day, you don't know how email is going to act on that day, you don't know how paid's going to act on that day. So having something like a Rolling Thunder launch where you're dropping little like nuggets on the way..." ([05:05])

He stresses the importance of offering incentives for waitlist signups, such as entry into giveaways, VIP statuses, or limited-time offers, to enhance the attractiveness of joining the waitlist.

Maximizing the Effectiveness of Waitlists

Jay Schwedelson discusses the psychological impact of limited availability and social proof in marketing:

"The biggest hack right now in direct to consumer marketing is everybody's saying their stuff is sold out but they sold four of them. But it's great for social proof." ([06:00])

This tactic leverages scarcity to drive demand and perceived value, encouraging more signups and active participation.

For business models like SaaS platforms, waitlists can be instrumental in managing beta access and identifying super fans:

"If you're a SaaS platform and you give people beta access to a new release, a new whatever, and it's super valuable to build that wait list or be the first to try." ([06:22])

This approach not only builds anticipation but also creates a community of engaged early adopters who can provide valuable feedback.

Daniel Murray adds that offering limited quantities during launches can test market interest and manage demand effectively:

"Another test is like only launching 100. You know you might have more in inventory but only launching a hundred products on this drop." ([05:45])

Incentivizing Waitlist Signups

Both hosts agree on the necessity of providing incentives to encourage waitlist participation. Murray outlines several methods:

• Giveaways: Offering prizes or exclusive items.
• VIP Status: Granting early access or special privileges.
• Limited Quantities: Creating urgency through scarcity.

Jay Schwedelson reinforces this by stating:

"Promising something or giving something away or giving status like VIP is a great way to do a wait list." ([05:30])

These strategies not only boost signups but also enhance user engagement and loyalty.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

Despite the advantages, Daniel Murray acknowledges potential pitfalls in deploying waitlists:

"...they collect emails for wait list from a list that they already built and then it's like filling out 15 different spots where like they're not pre-registering for like an event or stuff. And then now you have to get three different conversions which is so much harder." ([05:20])

This highlights the importance of streamlining the signup process to avoid user fatigue and drop-offs.

Moreover, Jay Schwedelson touches on the skepticism some users might have towards waitlists for non-traditional products or services:

"Why would anybody want to get on a wait list for a free virtual event? That just sounds stupid." ([03:00])

Overcoming this requires creative incentives and clear communication of the benefits associated with joining the waitlist.

Real-World Applications and Examples

The hosts provide tangible examples to illustrate effective waitlist strategies:

• Influencer Product Drops: Utilizing celebrity endorsements to create hype and drive signups.
• Exclusive Access: Offering early or limited access to new features or products to select members.
• Event Hosting: Managing attendance for virtual or in-person events by controlling access through waitlists.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of waitlists across various marketing scenarios and business models.

Concluding Insights

As the episode wraps up, Daniel Murray reiterates the value of waitlists as a multifaceted marketing tool:

"We'll talk about it. Just give us a shout on LinkedIn and tell us what you want to hear." ([09:03])

He encourages listeners to leverage waitlists thoughtfully, ensuring they provide genuine value and incentives to their audience.

Jay Schwedelson concludes by promoting both podcasts and emphasizing the collaborative spirit of sharing marketing insights:

"Peace out. Later." ([09:24])

Key Takeaways

1. Waitlists are Powerful for Building Email Lists: Essential for direct marketing and maintaining control over audience engagement.
2. Incentivize Signups: Use giveaways, VIP statuses, and limited-time offers to encourage participation.
3. Adapt to Your Audience: Tailor waitlist strategies to fit different business models, whether D2C, SaaS, or event-based.
4. Leverage Scarcity and Social Proof: Create urgency and perceived value to drive demand and signups.
5. Streamline the Signup Process: Avoid overwhelming users with excessive requirements to prevent drop-offs.
6. Use Waitlists for Data Gathering: Gain insights into audience interest and preferences to refine marketing strategies.

Final Thoughts

In "Are Waitlists Even Worth It? | Bathroom Break #63 🚽," Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson provide a comprehensive analysis of waitlists in marketing. They offer practical advice, share real-world examples, and highlight both the benefits and challenges of implementing waitlists. Whether you're planning a product launch, organizing an event, or managing a SaaS platform, this episode equips you with the knowledge to effectively utilize waitlists as a strategic marketing tool.

For more insights and actionable tips, follow The Marketing Millennials on LinkedIn and Instagram, and subscribe to their newsletter. Don't forget to check out Jay Schwedelson's Do This, Not That podcast for additional marketing strategies.