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How to Grow Your Podcast Audience and Email List at the Same Time | Jay Schwedelson

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Jul 3, 2025

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Most podcasters treat email like a checkbox: “Sent the episode to my list—done.” But if that’s your whole strategy, it’s why no one's clicking. In this episode, email marketing legend and Do This Not That podcast host Jay Schwedelson is back to break down what it actually takes to use email to drive real podcast growth.

You’ll learn why the first two words of your subject line decide whether your email gets opened, the one stat that can 20x your open rate, and how to grow your list daily using content you’re already creating. And if you’ve ever held back from emailing your list because you “don’t want to be annoying,” Jay unpacks how that fear is quietly training your audience to ignore you—and what to do instead. You’ll walk away knowing how to write emails people actually want to read, so hitting play feels like the obvious next step.

So if you're ready to become the trusted voice your audience actually wants in their inbox (and their earbuds), hit play and let’s dive in.

3:15 – The Surprising Habit That Trains Your List to Ignore Your "New Episode" Emails

6:14 – A Simple Way to Turn Podcast Listeners Into Subscribers (and Vice Versa)

16:19 – Two Subject Line Hacks That 20x Open Rates

8:15 – 5 Ways to Grow Your Email List From Your Podcast (Without Building a New Freebie Every Time)

18:08 – What to Email Your List That Brings People Back to Your Show

Episode Links:

Get instant feedback on your subject lines before you hit send: SubjectLine.com
Check out Jay Schwedelson’s Podcast: Do This, Not That
Connect with Jay: Website | Linked In

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

What to Post on LinkedIn to Grow Your Podcast This Week

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

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