In this episode of The ASOM Pod, hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) break down the evolving world of creators and influencers—and why follower count isn’t everything. They explore the key differences between creators, influencers, and affiliates, with a spotlight on how aligning with individuals who genuinely vibe with your brand's mission can deliver better ROI than chasing big names.
The conversation dives into real-world examples, including how Mr. Beast blurs the lines between creator and influencer and how Domino’s Pizza rebuilt its reputation by owning its flaws. The hosts also unpack why creators with strong communities and organic reach often drive more engagement, plus what this means for brands looking to level up their influencer marketing game. Spoiler alert: Micro-influencers might just be your brand’s MVPs
What You’ll Learn:
- Why micro-influencers often deliver more engagement and ROI than mega-influencers
- The differences between creators, influencers, and affiliates—and why it matters
- How creators are turning their communities into thriving brands
- The importance of building genuine partnerships and long-term relationships
- Practical tips for brands entering the influencer marketing space
This episode is packed with insights and actionable advice for eCommerce brands, marketers, and founders who want to leverage the creator economy to build lasting connections with their audiences._______
Big shoutout to our sponsors who make this podcast possible!
Omnisend — With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/
Nacelle — Transform your eCommerce store with AI-powered product recommendations that understand your customers’ actual behaviors, not just their purchases. Learn more at https://www.nacelle.com
Workspace6 — The best community for 7, 8 & 9 figure+ eCommerce operators. Why struggle alone? Other founders have already solved your biggest challenges. Learn more at https://www.workspace6.io
Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at https://asompod.com
_______
00:00 Teaser Trailer
01:17 Podcast Intro and Hosts
03:30 Diving into the Creator Economy
04:12 Defining Influencers and Affiliates
05:48 The Rise of Creators
15:03 Collaborations and Brand Partnerships
21:21 Creators Shifting to Product Sales
22:00 Building Community Before Product
22:22 Licensing vs. Building Brands
23:06 Challenges of Scaling for Creators
24:18 The Importance of Distribution
25:34 Micro vs. Mega Influencers
33:09 Advice for Brands Entering Influencer Marketing
39:57 Guess That Business Game
43:02 Episode Wrap-Up
_____
Follow Jimmy Kim at:
X: https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim
Follow Bryan MacDonald at:
X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad
Follow John Roman at:
X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman
Follow Amer Grozdanic at:
X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic
Contact us at hello@asompod.com for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information!
