With Gmail’s tightened spam filters and Apple’s disruptive iOS updates reshaping engagement, our featured report by Brian McKenna reveals the hidden challenges that are sidelining even the savviest marketers.
Plus, discover bold strategies—from cold email tactics that built a 7-figure business to harnessing custom GPTs for a copy that truly resonates.
Get ready to transform your email strategy and reclaim your digital spotlight!
Why Your Emails Are Missing the Inbox in 2025 📩read the full 1,089-word article here
Article published: March 28, 2025
In Martech’s report “Apple and Gmail make it harder for email campaigns to get to the inbox,” Brian McKenna unpacks why email marketing has taken a hit in 2025 — and what brands can do about it.
Between Gmail’s new spam thresholds and Apple’s aggressive iOS updates, it’s becoming harder for even seasoned marketers to get emails into inboxes, let alone the Primary tab.
iOS 15’s Mail Privacy Protection fooled brands with false opens, and iOS 18.2 took a wrecking ball to engagement by introducing tabs, email grouping, and AI-generated previews that push campaigns into obscurity.
But there’s hope. The article offers specific strategies to fix deliverability issues — and survive this new era of email.
Key Takeaways:
- 📉 Open rates are misleading—stop trusting them: Apple’s MPP has brands tracking “ghost opens,” ruining segmentation and triggering spam filters.
- 🧪 Test small, segment smarter: Tiny, hyper-targeted sends are performing better under Gmail’s stricter thresholds. Scale only when data supports it.
- 🤖 Apple’s AI is replacing preview text: If your email uses static image text, users might never know what it says. Switch to live text immediately.
- 🗓️ Stacking emails? You’re hurting yourself: Too many emails in close succession from the same sender get bundled—and ignored—in Gmail and iOS.
How I Built a 7-Figure Business Sending Cold Emails 💸watch the full 42-min video here
Video published: September 11, 2024
In this episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, I sat down with Jared Bauman to unpack how I built Email Outreach Company into a 7-figure business—by sending cold emails.
We now send over 1 million emails a month, helping everyone from early-stage startups to Fortune 500s (yes, even companies like Amazon and Disney) book meetings that drive real growth. And the truth? Cold email isn’t dead—it’s just a different game now.
We went deep on infrastructure, copywriting, and the crazy small tweaks that add up to big results—plus, how I used those same cold email tactics to grow my side newsletter from 5,000 to 200,000+ subscribers in under 8 months.
Key Takeaways:
- 📬 My best-performing subject line is just “Hi [First Name]”: Sounds boring, but it works. We tested it—data wins over ego every time.
- 🛠️ We send from 40–100+ domains per client: Gmail caps cold sends at ~20/day per inbox. No infrastructure = no deliverability.
- 🐾 Our “feed the puppies” PS line boosts replies: Every reply (even a no) = 5 bowls of food donated. It helps inbox placement and makes people smile.
- ✍️ 5-line cold email formula: Problem. Solution. Social proof. Call to action. Then we test relentlessly—copy is the X factor.
10x Your Email Game With ChatGPT—The Smart Way ⚡️ watch the full 18-min video here
Video published: March 29, 2025
In this video, Mike Bledsoe shows how to transform email marketing using custom GPTs—specifically, one he built called The Email Whisperer.
As someone who’s been running email campaigns since 2009, Mike’s insight cuts deep: generic AI prompts just don’t cut it anymore.
His solution? A fully trained GPT that mimics your voice, amplifies conversions, and writes faster than you ever could—all while sounding like you.
Even better, he reveals how to train ChatGPT using your own podcast transcriptions, blog posts, or articles so that your emails don’t just sound personal—they are.
Key Takeaways:
- 🧠 Most people stop at the first AI draft—big mistake: Custom GPTs and refined prompts create bolder, benefit-driven copy that actually converts.
- ✍️ His subject line “This habit is killing your dreams” 5x’d engagement: It crushed the generic “Join our free training” line. Curiosity + benefit wins.
- 🧪 Split-testing subject lines raised open rates to 40–50%: Using Kit CRM, Mike runs A/B tests on every campaign to keep engagement soaring.
- 🔁 Training GPT with podcast transcripts teaches it your tone: Mike feeds his custom GPT weekly blogs, speeches, and articles to get scarily accurate output.
My Last $.02
In today’s hyper-competitive digital landscape, every email is an opportunity. When your messages break through the noise and land in the inbox, you open the door to growth, connection, and success.
By adapting to these emerging challenges and embracing innovative strategies, you’re not just keeping up—you’re setting the pace.
Until next time, happy emailing!
Adam