This YouTuber got rich selling candy (Maxx Chewning EXPOSED?) on EP32 of TWIDM
Jun 13, 2023
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Maxx Chewning, a vibrant YouTube star with a candy brand, shares his journey from YouTuber to entrepreneur. He discusses team structure, staying lean in the CPG industry, challenges of compensating employees, renting a warehouse for fulfillment, and leveraging social media for candy brand success.
Influencer marketing played a crucial role in creating buzz and visibility for the candy brand Sour Strips.
The shift from primarily online sales to retail channels has significantly impacted the revenue distribution for Sour Strips.
Maintaining an extensive network of influencers and celebrities and sending products to new influencers daily helped create brand visibility and recognition for Sour Strips.
Deep dives
Successful launch and influencer marketing
The podcast discusses the highly successful launch of the Candy brand called Sour Strips. The host and guest talk about how the launch was meticulously planned and executed, with a build-up of hype through social media and the involvement of over 300 influencers. They highlight the importance of influencer marketing and how sending free products to influencers has been instrumental in creating buzz and visibility for the brand. This strategy has resulted in widespread exposure, including appearances in vlogs and social media posts of celebrities and influencers from various industries.
Shift from online to retail
The podcast delves into the transition of Sour Strips from being primarily an online direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand to having a significant presence in retail. They discuss how the revenue split between e-commerce and wholesale has shifted over time, with retail and wholesale now accounting for about 80% of sales. The guest shares insights on the impact of expanding into various retail channels, such as Target and Walmart, and how it has affected the online sales. They also touch upon the challenges and opportunities of growing in the retail space.
Ongoing influencer marketing efforts
The podcast explores the ongoing influencer marketing efforts of Sour Strips. The guest explains their strategy of sending out candy products to about 5 to 10 new influencers every day. They emphasize the importance of maintaining an extensive network of influencers and celebrities who love the brand and continue to post about it. The guest also highlights the role of their social media manager in reaching out to influencers and managing collaborations. They discuss the goal of getting the product in the hands of as many influencers as possible to create brand visibility and recognition among a wide range of audiences.
The Importance of Volume and Retail Strategy
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of volume and retail strategy in building a successful business. The speaker discusses how even though it is crucial to sell well in individual stores, the real growth comes from selling a normal amount in a large number of stores. They highlight the significance of being strategic and mastering cash flow, especially when launching into multiple stores with inventory-intensive orders. The speaker also emphasizes the need to be prepared for payment terms and the importance of holding onto cash for future growth.
The Role of Audience and Work Ethic in Success
The podcast episode explores the role of audience and work ethic in the success of launching a product. The speaker shares their experience of leveraging their social media audience to drive the launch and success of their candy brand. They emphasize the importance of building a genuine, engaged audience over time. The speaker also discusses their hands-on approach to running the business, including personally managing inventory, learning the ropes, and being involved in various aspects of the company. They attribute a combination of luck, timing, hard work, and authenticity as key factors that contributed to their success.
On EP32, we're hanging out with the endlessly energetic Maxx Chewning. We dive into his YouTube journey, chat about his colorful candy brand Sour Strips, and get the inside scoop on everything from team building to influencer marketing. It's a wild, sweet, and sour ride you won't want to miss!
Find Maxx Chewning on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MaxxChewning
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