I was thrilled to finally join Guy Hanson and Danielle Gallant on Email After Hours! I don’t know why it took so looooong to be a guest, but like a fine wine, good things are worth the wait. We took a deep dive into a topic that’s central to every email marketer—anti-best practices. If you’ve ever been tempted by tactics that seem like a clever way to boost engagement, but in reality damage both your reputation and subscriber relationships, this episode is a must-listen.

We covered it all: the temptation of misleading subject lines (like “RE:” and “FW:” to mimic personal emails), the risky game of spam complaint dilution, and why “high-volume balancing” is a losing strategy. We also talked about mailbox segmentation tactics that can backfire fast. These short-term “solutions” often come with big consequences since mailbox providers can spot manipulation even in high-volume sends.

The takeaway? Authenticity always wins. Building email programs on respect and consent creates real connections, while quick fixes are exactly that—short-lived. Give this episode a listen if you’re ready to ditch the shortcuts and focus on a long-game strategy that pays off.

Catch the episode here:

Check it out, and let me know your thoughts!