🎙️ Deliverability Decoded - My Inbox Strategy with Matt McGarry

Hey friends,

Last week I sat down with Matt McGarry — one of the sharpest minds in newsletter growth — for a deep-dive interview where he grilled me on everything deliverability.

This wasn’t surface-level stuff. We got into the real levers behind strong inbox placement — and I shared the exact strategies we use at Audience Bridge to consistently hit Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook inboxes at scale.

If you care about email performance, you don’t want to miss this one.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ How ESPs Actually Judge You

I explained what email platforms are really looking at — and how to stay on their good side.

✅ The Power of Custom Domains

I broke down why sending from your own domain (not your ESP’s) isn’t optional anymore — it’s your first trust signal.

✅ DKIM, SPF, and DMARC Without the Jargon

I simplified the tech so you can finally understand how to authenticate properly and boost your sender credibility.

✅ Shared vs. Dedicated IPs

I gave my take on when a dedicated IP makes sense — and when it’s just unnecessary complexity.

✅ How to Build a Smart Base Sending Segment (BSS)

Matt asked how I segment for deliverability. I shared the exact model we use — and why it’s more powerful than blasting your whole list.

✅ List Health, Re-engagement & Engagement Signals

We covered how I keep lists lean and profitable — including reactivation strategies and what to do with dormant subs.

✅ The Real Levers of Inbox Placement

Forget the fluff. We talked about complaint rates, volume patterns, click signals, and everything else that actually moves the needle.

✅ Where Deliverability is Headed (and AI’s Role in It)

We ended with a look ahead: how AI might change how brands send, segment, and scale email.

🎧 [Listen to the full episode here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qojo0lu9J6Q]

BEFORE YOU GO

Better Inbox Placement Starts Here

If your emails aren’t landing in the inbox, they’re not doing their job. I’ve seen too many brands struggle with deliverability issues without knowing why.

The truth is, a few key optimizations can make all the difference in getting your emails seen, opened, and clicked.

Book a call to find out more

✅ Final Thought

If you’re serious about email, this episode will give you a full deliverability audit in audio form. I laid it all out — no gatekeeping, just what works.

Because inboxing isn’t about luck.

It’s about signals, systems, and strategy.

Chris Miquel

PS: If you’ve ever wondered why your emails land in spam even when the content is great—this episode has the answer. It’s not magic. It’s not luck. It’s deliverability done right. Don’t miss it.