Hey you!

Thanks for stopping by for this week's installment of Tactical TDAY. 

Last week myself and the legendary Grant Sheets had our first investor meeting at the 3 Rivers Venture Fair in Pittsburgh…

It was absolutely crazy and we got to speak about TDAY’s mission to prioritize a problem that is impacting an entire generation…

The Gen-Z mental health crisis…

So in this edition I thought it’d be cool to unpack it and give you some tips on how you can do the same…

Here’s what I’m going to cover:

• What’s Really Going On With Gen Z & Mental Health?

• The Problem With Traditional Media’s Approach

• How To Track Impact, And Not Just Clicks…

What’s Really Going On With Gen-Z & Mental Health?

Let’s get straight to it, Gen Z is having a mental health crisis.

And while it’d be easy to pin it on the usual suspects like school stress or job markets, there’s something else sneaking in under the radar…

The rise of short-form content. 

You know… the kind that’s designed for quick hits and endless scrolling. 

And it’s not  just a couple of TikToks here and there…it’s the constant FEED of content that’s reshaping how young people feel within themselves.

The Numbers Speak (And They Aren’t Pretty)

We’re talking 44% of Gen Z reporting depressive symptoms. 

Yep, nearly half. 

Social media usage alone is linked to a 70% spike in depressive symptoms for teens. 

And attention spans? 

Down to 8 seconds on average. 

Eight. Seconds.

It’s clear that all this bite-sized content isn’t helping anyone's focus or mood.

It's also affecting social skills and how young people connect with each other in real life.

The Problem With ‘Chasing Clicks’...

Traditional media’s focus on quick clicks and views has created what I like to call the “click-bait trap.” 

They’re putting out tons of content but not enough of it has real value. 

And that hurts. 

When you treat your audience as numbers on a spreadsheet instead of, well, humans, it can have a pretty dark ripple effect. 

It’s all about short-term dopamine that feels good in the moment, but what about long-term impact?

So, How Do You Measure Impact Over Clicks?

If you saw my LinkedIn post a few days ago, you’ll know that prioritizing the impact of content is a central to our mission at TDAY.

Content without impact is like a touchdown with no fans in the stands…

It technically counts, but no one’s there to feel it.

The difficulty is that “impact” isn’t as obvious as views or clicks…

It’s more of a silent metric, but it’s there if you know where to look.

So how can you measure it?

Here’s what we’re tracking:

1. Engagement Quality

We’re looking past the “cool vid!” comments and aiming for deeper discussion. 

When viewers are sharing personal stories or insights, you know you’ve hit something meaningful.

Also look for comments where people mention feeling inspired or motivated. A simple video sparking a new mindset? That’s gold.

2. Direct Messages

A DM can tell you a lot. 

You’ve struck a chord when people reach out to share their experiences or ask for advice.

And if viewers are DMing you for follow-ups or further info, you know they’re invested beyond just that one post.

3. Audience Behavior

If people stick around to watch your content start to finish, that’s a win. 

High retention means they’re finding value in what you’re putting out.

And when they come back for more it’s an obvious sign your content is leaving a lasting impact on them. 

4. Community Growth

Look for viewers connecting with each other, supporting each other, and keeping the conversation going. 

That sense of community is where real impact lives.

Also offline engagement is huge - it’s our goal to eventually fill a stadium with TDAY Sports fans to build more real world connections with them - you simply can’t beat that!

And if you need help implementing these strategies in your own brand, tap the button below to schedule a call with our team… Let’s see how we can work together!

Personal Insights From My First Investor Meeting

This event was crazy…

And for some reason, even though I’ve done 8 of these pitches before, I was SUPER nervous.

Anyway…

We met a PhD Psychologist who gave some great advice for anyone looking to secure investment and I wanted to share it before I go…

He said…

“Get clear on the problem… and crisp on how YOU will solve it”

Knowing the problem isn’t enough…

It’s your unique approach and vision for tackling it that will really stand out. 

You can watch this short chat with Grant Sheet’s here «

That’s all for this week,

As always, feel free to reach out or respond to this email if you enjoyed the newsletter and have any insights/questions about solving the Gen Z mental health crisis!

Have a blessed day!

Justin