The problem with event marketing? It’s gotten too predictable. Jay Schwedelson, founder of SubjectLine.com and GURU Media Hub, says the only way to stand out is to stop playing it safe.

In this episode, Rachel Andrews chats with Jay about how to plan events that people actually enjoy and remember. From hot wing challenges to earned on-demand content, Jay shares what’s working right now and why some of the best event ideas come from simply asking, “Does this suck?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why safe events fall flat: Repeating old formats can make your event forgettable before it even begins.
• Audience-first subject lines: A small change in your email approach can lead to a big jump in engagement.
• How to work with AI: You can get value from AI tools without needing to be an expert.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introducing Jay Schwedelson

(04:09) How to brainstorm and encourage bold ideas 

(05:32) Building the confidence to try new things

(08:36) Authentic connections during networking

(09:55) No one is an AI expert

(12:56) Jay’s dream event if he had an unlimited budget

(17:22) Boost your open rate with this subject line tip