Podcast Summary: The Marketing Millennials – "The Email Advice You NEED to Hear" | Bathroom Break #77
Hosts:
- Daniel Murray (@Dmurr68, The Marketing Millennials)
- Jay Schwedelson (Do This, Not That Podcast, subjectline.com)
Release Date: October 13, 2025
Overview
In this brisk yet insight-rich episode of the special "Bathroom Break" series, hosts Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson break down essential, often misunderstood advice about email marketing in just under 10 minutes. Drawing on years of experience and data-driven perspectives, the duo tackle common myths around send frequency, sending times, list management, and strategies for being relevant (not just frequent) in subscribers' inboxes. Their conversation is practical, candid, and loaded with actionable tips for marketers tired of conventional wisdom and hungry for real results.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Frequency Myths: You’re Not Emailing Too Much – You’re Probably Emailing Too Little
[01:36 – 03:30]
- Jay’s Hot Take: Most marketers under-email their lists, regardless of industry.
- Data Insight: "Those marketers that send at least five times per month… have over a 20% higher average open rate than those that send less." (Jay, 01:53)
- Reason: Regular sends keep your brand credible with inbox providers through consistent engagement (opens, clicks).
2. Timing Myths: There’s No Single "Best Time" to Send
[01:53 – 04:59]
- Jay dismisses the idea of a single, universal "best time," noting:
- “Different populations within your database interact with email at different times.” (Jay, 02:44)
- Sends at non-traditional times (Sunday afternoons, Thursday nights) catch unique segments.
- Daniel: "Testing a bunch of things" matters far more than following universally publicized send times.
- AI-Driven Sending: Modern ESPs can optimize send times per individual, but focus should always be on content quality and brand recognition.
3. Subject Line and Sender Reputation Trump Send Time
[03:30 – 04:59]
- Daniel's Approach: "What matters more is putting out good content people want to open and having a good [sender name].… subject line and who you are showing up in the inbox... matters more than send time." (Daniel, 03:56)
4. The Truth About Unsubscribes
[04:59 – 07:40]
- Myth: Extra emails = more unsubscribes = bad.
- Jay: "The reason you're getting unsubscribes is because people find your content epically boring." (Jay, 05:22)
- Sometimes high unsubscribes are a sign you’re finally getting noticed.
- Example: Trying new tactics (like emojis in subject lines) can drive higher engagement and more unsubscribes—often from people no longer relevant to your list.
- Daniel: Unsubscribes need not be feared; focus on nurturing raving fans.
- Quote: “If people don’t want to be on this, they can resubscribe later. Don’t worry about those people leaving.” (Daniel, 06:31)
5. Relevancy and Frequency Go Hand-in-Hand
[07:40 – 08:25]
- Jay: "Relevancy and frequency are married together, right? If you're sending out relevant, engaging stuff that's good for that person, you have the license to send out stuff." (Jay, 07:45)
- Quality trumps volume, but if you can deliver value frequently, do so.
6. Personalization vs. Relevance
[06:55 – 07:40]
- Daniel redefines personalization: It’s about making content feel tailored—not just using someone’s name.
7. Memorable Closing Banter: The "No Sleep Marketer"
[08:25 – 09:21]
- Lighthearted detour about Daniel’s new-parent sleep deprivation and caffeine intake—relatable anecdotes for any multitasking marketer.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Jay [01:53]: "Everybody thinks they send too much to their list... You're actually not sending enough email."
- Jay [02:44]: "Different populations within your database interact with email at different times."
- Daniel [03:56]: "What matters more is putting out good content people want to open and having a good [sender name]... matters more than send time."
- Jay [05:22]: "The reason you're getting unsubscribes is because people find your content epically boring."
- Daniel [06:31]: "If people don’t want to be on this, they can resubscribe later. Don’t worry about those people leaving."
- Jay [07:45]: "Relevancy and frequency are married together, right? If you're sending out relevant, engaging stuff... you have the license to send out stuff."
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:34 — Conference banter and room service: Sets relaxed, fun tone
- 01:36 — Main topic introduced: Daniel asks about email frequency and value, especially for the holidays
- 01:53 — Email frequency & best day myth debunking
- 03:30 — The overrated “best send time”; testing and ESP AI features
- 04:59 — Subject line & sender name priorities
- 04:59 — Unsubscribes and their true meaning
- 06:55 — Personalization explained; focus on relevance
- 07:40 — The marriage of relevancy and frequency
- 08:25 — Parenting and sleep deprivation sidebar
- 09:21 — Conference plugs and wrap-up banter
Tone and Language
The episode is fast-paced, banter-driven, and laced with irreverent humor. Both Daniel and Jay maintain a no-nonsense, “skip the BS” tone while backing up their advice with clear, relatable examples—making the takeaways immediately actionable and memorable.
Actionable Takeaways
- Don’t fear email frequency—send more, as long as it’s relevant and high-quality.
- There’s no universal “best send time;” experiment and diversify.
- Use subject lines and your sender reputation to stand out.
- Unsubscribes aren’t always bad—sometimes they represent healthy list curation.
- Personalization means relevant content, not just a first name.
- If you can engage your audience daily with value, do it.
For more actionable insights, follow Daniel Murray and check out The Marketing Millennials for future "Bathroom Break" episodes—your new favorite 10-minute ritual.