Worst Pre-Header Ever?? (the nonsense is at bottom of the newsletter)…
Some mildly useful stats coming up.
ALSO this is new 9 min episode I just released titled ‘I DON’T LOVE MY JOB!’. This myth of chasing a job you ‘love’ is hurting people. Excited for all the hate I get on this one. But for real if you ‘like’ your job you are winning! Here is where you can waste 9 minutes of your life – EPISODE – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-love-my-job-jays-scoop-ep-375/id1701260891?i=1000716801912
This is SO EMBARASSING!
Embarrassing Question:
Using a ‘question’ as your subject line is a no brainer. We know that. Average open rates rise over 20% for both BUSINESS and CONSUMER email campaigns when your subject line is written as a question:
Example: What is Driving Technology Spend Today?
This is not new...BUT, we have seen a number of tests recently with a different spin on this that is doing PHENOMENAL!
Asking the most ‘EMBARRASING QUESTION’ possible. What does this mean exactly?
BUSINESS Examples:
CONSUMER Examples:
‘Embarrassing Question’ Open Rates When Used in Subject Line:
BUSINESS: Increase Open Rate: 24%
CONSUMER: Increase Open Rate: 22%
Why does this work so well? There are questions in every industry and every audience that we all feel like ‘we should know’ and don’t want to ask because you are too deep into that area to not know already. This is why it’s embarrassing. By asking the most obvious questions your audience is likely to read your email and it becomes a ‘must open’.
It is sort of a random test idea but really has worked well in the tests that we have seen marketers run over the last 90 days.
🎄 Start Holiday & Q4 Marketing... in July?!
It’s 97 degrees and you’re still wiping mustard off your July 4th shirt but more randos than you think are actually thinking about holiday season and q4!
🔢 Stats that will make you put up your tree this weekend….
💡 Tactical Takeaways
Subject Lines That Work NOW:
Q4-focused subject lines after July 4th get a 14% higher open rate than Q3 ones:
→ Try: “Back from BBQs? Let’s Build Q4.” or “Your Q4 Roadmap Awaits”
Holiday-themed subject lines see a 22% lift over generic ones after July 4th:
→ Try: “Secret Holiday Deal Inside” or “Should We Bring This Back for the Holidays?”
📣 Social Media Moves
B2B Q4-themed posts get 25% higher engagement than Q3 ones after July 4
→ Try: “Here’s What’s Coming in December…” or “Prepping Our Q4 Playbook Now”
Consumer side? Even carousel posts teasing gift guides or “This Will Sell Out” holiday drops hit early
THIS IS SO RANDOM….
Am I the last person on earth to learn that using the THUMB UP emoji means basically screw off????
Since You Didn’t Ask...
For any new readers of ‘Scoop’ this is where I share stuff that has nothing to do with anything that is actually helpful or useful...
Ben Affleck + Matt Damon Podcast!
So these two are apparently almost ready to announce that they are gonna do a podcast (total money grab but who cares! I would listen). AND Jlo is apparently freaking out cause she does not want the ‘tea’ spilled. I am embarrassingly here for all of it.
WATCHING:
GILDED AGE [HBO MAX] – EASILY the best show on TV right now! This is NOT like Bridgerton (that show was unwatchable – don’t @ me). You need to give this one a try!! And if you are watching
It blows my mind how everyone on the show is fighting over who gets to host a luncheon and I just microwaved last nights chili and I am pretty stoked about it.
LOVE ISLAND USA [PEACOCK] – I should not admit I watch this garbage…but I do. Here is basically what goes on if you don’t watch –
Their definition of a deep convo is:
‘You’re hot.’
‘No, you’re hot.’
‘This feels real.’
NEED A FAVOR!!! I suck at Youtube so far but I AM TRYING! Can you do me a solid and subscribe to my new channel I just launched – you would actually be my BFF – here it is - https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelson/shorts
Best,
Jay
p.s. pass along to a friend if you think they may want to sign-up....www.JaySchwedelson.com
p.p.s. I READ THE REPLIES so write back!!!
ANNND – Do me a massive favor and try my podcast and if you are really awesome subscribe – THANK YOU - Here is the show