Where Data Meets Storytelling: The Art of Lifecycle Marketing

Posted on 08/28/2025 by Jared Ray Conger

Most people think lifecycle campaigns are just strings of automated emails. A drip. A shuffle. A machine moving in silence. But that’s missing the truth. When done right, lifecycle marketing isn’t mechanical but alive. A pulse. Where data and story lean against each other like two drunks in the alley, propping the other up just enough to keep moving.

I’ve watched it work. You set a nurture in motion and it listens more than it speaks. Opens, clicks, sign-ups, no, they’re not just metrics, they’re tells. Signals. Small flinches of attention. If you know how to read them, you can shift the rhythm: slow here, sharp there, soft when trust is thin.

One tactic I keep circling back to: automation cut with something human. A note dropped into the inbox that feels written in the quiet hours. A voice that sounds like a real rep, not perfect, not polished, but intent, human even. That little fracture in the automated mask makes people look twice. Makes them believe, if only for a moment, that someone’s really on the other side.

That’s the balance that matters. Scale without losing pulse. Systems that hum steady but still breathe. Campaigns built this way don’t just keep prospects in the funnel, they keep them coming back. They stitch loyalty, hold attention in the dark, and build value that lingers long after the click.

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Two New Stories Now Live: A Cloaked Girl and a City of Static

Posted on 06/18/2025 by Jared Ray Conger

The latest stories are up now on Patreon—two very different kinds of hauntings. One walks quietly in the woods. The other dissolves inside a crumbling city of ash and static.

Both ask what we carry when memory slips—and what we become when no one chooses us.

Little Lamb in Red
A pale dirt path.
A girl in a red cloak.
A man whose patience has worn too thin.

Written for the Tales to Terrify flash fiction contest, Little Lamb in Red is my take on the old wolf tale, stripped to its bones. A reimagining of hunger, instinct, and the quiet moment before the bite.

It’s short, raw, and intentionally left that way—no edits since the contest. I wanted her to remain just as she was: breath held, eyes forward, one step from either safety or surrender.

She might return someday. For now, she’s waiting behind you.

The Light I Take
They say memory fades gently.
But what if it burns?

The Light I Take began as something else entirely—mapped, outlined, prepped for structure. And then I ignored every rule and wrote what actually came through: a foggy, glitching story about grief, dissociation, and the need to be remembered.

Set in a city full of forgotten things, it follows a man unraveling after a series of intimate encounters with something not quite human. There are no easy answers, no clean escape. Only that bright, terrible light—and the ache of being left behind.

Both stories are now available to read in full on my Patreon, with more to come.

As always, thank you for reading.
I hope you enjoy what lingers.

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Epitaphs for Elsa – a Reedsy contest entry

Posted on 03/26/2025 by Jared Ray Conger

Here’s a short story I wrote for a Reedsy contest prompt: Write a story in the form of a letter, or several letters sent back and forth.
It’s called “Epitaphs to Elsa.”

https://blog.reedsy.com/short-story/e62khb

Originally, it came from notes for a different story in a loosely connected series of horror shorts I’m developing, possibly titled Concubine, Sinister where each story will circle around the idea of loving a monster in some form.

This one was a challenge: I started with raw first-person POV entries and had to reshape them into a believable correspondence between two people, one of whom may or may not still be alive. It’s dark, layered, and a little weird in the best way. It is also a little bit outside of my normal style but I really liked the monster concept and the overall storyline I wrote this too.

If you read it, I’d love to know what you think happened.
(Or just give it a like so I can feel mildly validated by strangers on the internet.)

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“Into the Frozen Abyss”

Posted on 12/26/2024 by Jared Ray Conger

Hop over to Patreon and buy the new release – The Mountain

High on a desolate mountain, amidst the unyielding storm, four friends find themselves trapped in a nightmare far beyond the reaches of their understanding. What begins as a desperate trek for survival soon spirals into a haunting descent into the heart of something ancient, alive, and malevolent.

The mountain harbors secrets: monstrous guardians, pulsating caverns, and carvings that speak of a vast, forgotten deity—an entity that doesn’t just dwell in the shadows but claims dominion over them. As the storm howls, tearing at their sanity and their bonds, the group must face not only the unspeakable horrors pursuing them but the growing darkness taking root within themselves.

Where does survival end, and submission to the mountain’s will begin? With every step deeper into its icy labyrinth, they uncover a truth more chilling than the biting wind: the mountain doesn’t let go. It marks you, changes you, and waits patiently for its due.

This is a story of terror, transformation, and the relentless grip of the unknown. Will they escape the mountain, or will its curse claim them all?

Unlock the full chilling tale and dive into exclusive content, behind-the-scenes details, and more on my Patreon.

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2024 Wrapped Up

Posted on 12/21/2024 by Jared Ray Conger

“Embrace the pivot, focus on progress, and nurture well-being.”

2024 was a challenging year professionally, and I know I wasn’t alone in feeling this. It was interesting to observe how many companies preferred hiring based on youth rather than experience, often leading to a constant cycle of hiring and rehiring. I also noticed imposter syndrome affecting even the most accomplished leaders, causing undue stress and negativity for their teams.

Despite these challenges, there were inspiring moments too. I watched many peers in similar situations secure fantastic roles, making significant progress over the last few months of the year—an encouraging sight indeed.

Here are a few stats from my year:

  • Applied to an average of 3-5 jobs per week, crafting a cover letter for 75% of those applications.
  • Noticed about a 50% re-posting rate for these positions, highlighting a high turnover and the costs associated with it.
  • Worked with several new clients who helped maintain my median income from the past five years.
  • Experienced a potential six figure loss in new business due to workforce reductions, in-sourcing of marketing services, business closures, and changes in leadership bringing their preferred agencies.

My 2024 mantras—perseverance, resilience, and hard work—served as my guiding principles through a year that did not go as planned. Embracing flexibility allowed me to adjust my strategies, focus on achieving my goals, and maintain a commitment to both my professional objectives and personal well-being. This resilience and adaptability are qualities we all possess. 

Throughout the year, I worked closely with clients on crucial projects, from developing robust onboarding programs that streamline processes to enhancing email engagement strategies that revitalized B2B marketing efforts. We crafted comprehensive business strategies that bridged online initiatives with social media, translating into tangible in-store successes. These strategies, now designed for reuse, promise sustainable growth and efficiency. As we look toward 2025, I am excited to help you leverage these qualities to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Together, let’s continue to innovate and thrive in the ever-evolving market landscape, enjoying our work and who we do it with.

Life is short, so here’s to enjoying our work and who we do it with.

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Some albums and songs of 2024 (that I listened to in 2024)

Posted on 12/20/2024 by Jared Ray Conger

Lately, I’ve found myself on a nostalgic journey back through the realms of hip-hop, reigniting old flames with some classic albums that colored my younger years. Whether it was cassette, CD, or those beloved mixtapes, the grooves of these albums were deeply etched into my memory.

Starting with Arrested Development, the tracks “Tennessee” and “Mr. Wendel” from their vibrant catalog reminded me why they captured our hearts and minds back in the day. These guys brought a soulful and socially conscious twist to hip-hop that still resonates. Check out their BandCamp page for a dose of nostalgia.

Then I revisited Digable Planets with their album ‘Reachin’—a perfect blend of jazz and rap. “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” is that standout track that never fails to get my head nodding. Here’s their official music site where you can dive into their silky-smooth universe.

Public Enemy shook the walls again with their powerful messages in ‘Apocalypse 91,’ ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ and ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions…’. “Don’t Believe the Hype” still pumps with urgency and defiance. Public Enemy remains as relevant and revolutionary as ever, which you can explore here.

This hip-hop excursion brought me back to the raw energy of Rage Against the Machine and their self-titled album. “Wake Up!” still sounds as explosive and revolutionary today. Rage’s music continues to inspire and challenge; it’s a timeless call to action.

A surprise discovery was realizing I’d missed an album by The War on Drugs—’I Don’t Live Here Anymore.’ Their music, a mesmerizing blend of heartland rock with modern twists, always offers something new with each listen. Dive into their sound here.

An unexpected anthem came from Queens of the Stone Age with ‘Songs for the Deaf’ echoing in a job interview lobby. “No One Knows” felt like a punchy reminder of their gritty allure. QOTSA keeps rocking hard, as you can see on theirsite.

A friend introduced me to Idles, a band that packs a punch with every album. Though not every track was my cup of tea, “Gift Horse” from their album ‘Tangk’ is a true ripper. Decide for yourself by visiting their BandCamp.

Turnstile’s ‘Glow Up’ and the track “TLC” hit like a quick slap to the face—a jolt of energy that’s definitely worth a listen. Check them out here.

During a drive, the oddly entrancing European electronica vibes from Sam Quealy’s ‘Blonde Venus’ had me dancing to annoy my kids—a tactic that worked beautifully. The album is a mix of eclectic tracks that you can explore here.

A nostalgic craving for classic metal led me to revisit Metallica and Guns N Roses, with essential albums like ‘Master of Puppets,’ ‘Ride the Lightning,’ ‘Appetite for Destruction,’ and ‘Use Your Illusion II.’ These bands defined a genre and a generation.

Introducing my kids to Primus, especially the track “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver” from ‘Sailing the Seas of Cheese,’ was a fun twist in our musical education journey.

My son’s interest in Godzilla led us to Fu Manchu’s ‘Eatin’ Dust / Godzilla,’ where their cover of the Fleetwood Mac track adds a stoner rock zest to the mythical monster’s theme.

A haunting discovery on Bandcamp was the band Niisa from New Zealand. ‘Remnants (the love which moves the sun and other stars)’ is a deeply emotional piece, shadowed by the tragic fate of its members. Their story and music can be found here.

Beak> surprised me with ‘>>>>’—a zigzagging journey through unique soundscapes, epitomized by “Strawberry Line.” Though they’ve disbanded, their music lives on here.

Portland’s Or best offer with their album ‘Center’ and the track “Crawl up” offered a discordant yet captivating listen, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of sonic challenge. Their full experience is available here.

And I couldn’t leave out Wolves in the Throne Room, whose ‘Two Hunters’ album, especially “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots,” is a masterpiece of black metal that beautifully contrasts chaos with calm.

Finally, seeing Unwound live again, performing ‘New Plastic Ideas’ in its entirety, brought back great memories of their ‘Leaves Turn Inside You’ tour. It was a night of nostalgic bliss, reminding me of times when music felt like a raw, unfiltered escape.

This trip down memory lane has been a whirlwind of rediscovery, each album a chapter in my musical biography. These bands and their music continue to resonate, offering sounds that challenge, comfort, and compel us to come back for more.

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