James Schramko Podcast The “You OK?” email
Jan 6, 2026
Discover the power of a simple 'You okay?' email that boasts an impressive 80% open rate. Understand when churn truly begins—it's not at cancellation but during periods of inactivity. Inspired by playful gym mail, this strategy initiates a human check-in after 11 days of no activity. Learn how this approach makes members feel valued and encourages them to return. Finally, explore respectful cancellation handling and why tracking engagement is crucial for subscription success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Churn Starts With Drift
- Churn begins with inactivity and drift, not the cancellation moment.
- People cancel to remove guilt from not engaging, not because they hate your product.
Gym Letter That Sparked The Idea
- James remembered a gym mailing that playfully checked in after he stopped attending and made him feel noticed.
- That human touch brought him back to the gym and inspired his membership tactic.
Automated 11-Day Check-In
- If a member is inactive for 11 days, automatically send a simple check-in email with subject 'UOK?'.
- Keep the body to two words: 'First name, how are you doing?' and avoid pitches or discounts.