Hey fellow QBs,
A few weeks ago, I asked what would help you most right now. The Huddle exists for a simple reason - to help solo and lean-team marketers get a seat at the table, rule their role, and move up faster. Each week I share timely plays, shortcuts I actually use, and career strategies that work in the real world. Is this hitting for you? What is one thing you want more of, and one thing you would cut?
Hit reply and tell me.
The DYK Program
Not a newsletter, not a sales blast. The DYK is the quiet email that educates first and sells later. I have run this across industries, most recently staffing, and it keeps winning - over 50 percent opens, about 20 percent clicks, and it books meetings. One run generated more than 80k in job orders.
A DYK is a micro-teach. One fact about your company they probably do not know, why it matters to them, and one small next step. It is the opposite of menu marketing. One idea, one takeaway, one action.
Why It Works
You’re not trying to shove a pitch into a crowded inbox. You’re offering one useful, relevant idea that makes the reader feel smarter in under a minute. That’s the entire edge. The result is more attention today and more credibility tomorrow.
Curiosity: people respond to specific, useful surprises, so they open and keep reading.
Low pressure: it helps first and asks second, which lowers defenses and increases replies.
Memory: one clear idea sticks; laundry lists blur together and get archived.
Relevance: when the fact ties to an actual pain, it earns clicks and conversations.
The Framework I Use Every Time (D.Y.K. to A.C.T.)
Think of this as guardrails. It keeps you out of “random trivia” territory and forces a next step. D - Data: lead with one surprising, truthful fact about you that signals competence. Y - Why it matters: connect that fact to a specific pain or desired outcome so the reader instantly sees the value. K - Know what to do: give a tiny tip or checklist they can use today without you. A - Asset: link to a deeper resource—case, guide, or a two minute video—for readers who want more. C - Call to action: offer a low friction step, like reply with a keyword or grab 15 minutes. T - Track: add UTMs, use a reply keyword, and include a quick “useful or not” poll so you can learn and iterate.
A Fast Example - Staffing
Subject: Did you know 37 percent of our placements come from talent vetted in the last 14 days? Preheader: That is why our average time to fill is five days faster. Body: If a req sits more than ten days, candidates cool off. Build a 48 hour shortlist with this three step checklist. Reply with SHORTLIST for the template, or grab 15 minutes here.
Three DYK Angles You Can Steal
Community Cred Subject: Did you know we fund every tenth placement's training? Preheader: It cuts ramp time by about two weeks. Body: We invest part of our fee into new hire training credits. Even if you do not work with us, pick one critical skill, pair it with a two hour micro course, and schedule it before day one. Reply with TRAIN for the checklist, or book 15.
Experience Edge Subject: Did you know our average recruiter has 9.4 years in your niche? Preheader: Translation, fewer bad interviews. Body: We hire for niche depth. Want to copy it? Use a niche bar rule - no req gets worked without three past roles in the same function. Reply with BAR for the rubric, or see two case snapshots.
Client Story Subject: Did you know Acme cut time to fill by 41 percent? Preheader: No discounts, just process. Body: We replaced the intake form with a 15 minute decision meeting. Want the agenda? Reply with AGENDA and I will send it, or book 15.
Consistency compounds. Send one DYK a month to your core ICP at the same day and time so they learn to expect it. Rotate angles—Community, Experience, Client Story, Process or How To—so you’re not repeating yourself. Spend twenty minutes listing twelve facts buyers should know but probably don’t, then prioritize the ones tied closest to money or risk.
Pitfalls to Skip
If you want this to land, avoid these common faceplants. Each of these turns a helpful note into noise.
Random trivia that isn’t tied to a pain point: if it doesn’t solve a problem, it’s a fun fact—and forgettable.
Menu marketing—“we also do A, B, C, D”: one idea per send wins; laundry lists lose.
No next step: attention without a path wastes the click. Always give a tiny action.
Inside baseball: acronyms and fluff slow readers down. Write like you talk.
Inconsistency: one and done kills compounding credibility. Pick a cadence and stick to it.
Pitch to Your CEO and Sales
They don’t need a dissertation—just a clear promise, timing, proof, and asks. Promise: authority and meetings without discounts. This is education-led, not promo-led. Why now: Q4 inbox noise makes educational pattern breaks win. A single useful fact stands out. Proof: previous runs delivered 50 percent plus opens, about 20 percent clicks, and 80k in orders. Asks: a 15 minute twelve fact brainstorm from Sales, CS, and Ops; light approvals twice a month; and a two hour SLA on reply keywords so hot replies aren’t wasted. Risk control: one fact, one tip, one low friction CTA, and start with a 20 percent segment A/B to prove it in your world before scaling.
This Week's Homework:
This shouldn’t take weeks. Give yourself a 90 minute sprint and get the bones in place.
List twelve facts your buyers should know but likely don’t—Community, Experience, Process, Outcomes and rank them by urgency.
Draft two DYKs using D.Y.K. to A.C.T., add a reply keyword, and read them out loud. If you stumble, simplify.
Prep your pitch using the cheat sheet and book 15 minutes with your CEO and sales lead for alignment.
Build a simple tracker, date, segment, subject, preheader, D or Y or K angle, asset link, CTA, open percent, click percent, replies, meetings, revenue, so you learn with each send.
Pick a send date and time and create a 20 percent test segment so you can compare results before scaling.
If you want help building a four week DYK content calendar, use the coaching link in the P.S. and we will map it out together.
Catch you next Sunday.
Jeff
P.S. If you are a solo marketer who needs sharper strategy, better automation, or a second set of eyes on your marketing, I am open for consulting and coaching. Spots are limited, so grab time here and let’s talk: https://calendly.com/jeff-forestcitydigital/15-min-coaching-discovery-session