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  1. Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson
  2. Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446
Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫  | Ep. 446

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson · Nov 13, 2025

Re-engage dormant email lists with two key tactics: executive-style letters and verification emails, proven to boost open rates significantly.

Dynamically Insert Company Names in B2B Re-engagement Subject Lines

For B2B re-engagement, a highly effective subject line is "Are you still with [Company Name]?". This personalizes the email at scale by dynamically inserting the contact's employer. It grabs attention and prompts an open to confirm or update their status, successfully re-engaging them with your content or offers.

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫  | Ep. 446 thumbnail

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson·3 months ago

Executive 'Letter Style' Emails to Inactive Users Boost Open Rates 40% in Q4

From Nov 20th to Dec 20th, sending a personal letter-style email from a founder or executive to unengaged contacts can increase open rates by 40%. The key is changing the "from name" to a person, not the brand, and using a subject line that acknowledges their absence. This strategy works for both B2B and B2C brands.

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫  | Ep. 446 thumbnail

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson·3 months ago

'Verification' Emails Wake Up Dormant Lists at the Cost of Higher Unsubscribes

Using subject lines like "Verify your active status" can lift open rates by 27-31% for contacts who haven't engaged in over a year. While effective for reactivation, this slightly gimmicky approach will also annoy some users, leading to a higher-than-usual unsubscribe rate and negative replies, which requires 'thick skin'.

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫  | Ep. 446 thumbnail

Ask Us ANYTHING: Wake the Dead (Your Email List) ☠️… My Spirit Airlines Confession 😬🛫 | Ep. 446

Do This, NOT That: Marketing Tips with Jay Schwedelson·3 months ago