eCommerce Podcast

Discover how AI is levelling the playing field for e-commerce entrepreneurs. Matt Anderson from Dragonfly AI reveals practical strategies for using generative AI to outsmart bigger competitors and transform customer engagement.In this enlightening conversation between Matt Edmundson and Matt Anderson, we explore the fascinating intersection where e-commerce, AI, and brand collide. Matt Anderson, with his extensive background in performance marketing and current work at Dragonfly AI, offers valuable insights into how AI is transforming product research, content creation, and customer engagement, creating new opportunities for nimble e-commerce entrepreneurs to compete against industry giants.This episode cuts through the fear and scepticism surrounding AI to reveal practical applications that can revolutionise your e-commerce business. From improving product research to enhancing creative content, discover how AI can become your strategic co-pilot rather than just another tool.Key Insights:AI functions best as a co-pilot rather than a replacement - think of it as "having a master's graduate next to you" that needs guidance and oversightThe quality of AI output depends heavily on the quality of your prompts - being specific about audience, tone, and style dramatically improves resultsE-commerce entrepreneurs can use AI to level the playing field against larger competitors by researching consumer needs and bringing products to market fasterAI tools like Perplexity and Dragonfly AI are changing how consumers search for products, focusing on solving problems rather than brand namesStart small with AI implementation - focus on automating boring, time-consuming tasks first before expanding to more complex applicationsMatt recommends focusing on just a few AI tools rather than trying to master everything: "You can't be good at every martial art. Just pick one and be a black belt in it."I wonder if this shift toward AI-assisted research and discovery might fundamentally change how we approach product development and marketing in e-commerce? Perhaps the future belongs not to the biggest brands, but to the entrepreneurs who best leverage AI to understand and solve specific consumer problems.For more information about leveraging AI in your e-commerce business, visit our website at ecommerce-podcast.com.ResourcesMatt Anderson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmattanderson/Matt Edmundson's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson/Dragonfly AI: https://dragonflyai.co/

From Bottle Insulation to Business Innovation: Adam Callinan's JourneyI wonder how many of us have watched Shark Tank and dreamed about being in those entrepreneurs' shoes? Adam Callinan lived that reality, transforming a simple beer bottle insulator into a multi-million dollar brand. His journey reveals powerful lessons about lean startup techniques, crowdfunding success, and building a valuable brand beyond just revenue figures.In this episode, Matt Edmundson sits down with Adam Callinan, co-founder of BottleKeeper and current SaaS entrepreneur, for a fascinating conversation about validating product ideas, scaling with minimal staff, protecting intellectual property, and navigating the reality of Shark Tank deals.Key Takeaways:Proof of Concept Through Lean MethodsAdam's approach to validating BottleKeeper is a masterclass in lean startup techniques. Before investing significant money, he tested market interest by collecting emails and launching a crowdfunding campaign. "We did all of that before we spent any money," Adam explains, highlighting how crucial it is to validate ideas before major investment.Building a Scalable Business with Minimal StaffI'm fascinated by how BottleKeeper reached $10 million in revenue with only 14 team members. Could this approach work in today's market? Adam built the business with a strict guardrail: "If you're going to make that decision, you have to solve problems in a way that doesn't require human bodies to solve them." This forced innovation through automation and systems rather than hiring.Creating Value Beyond RevenuePerhaps the most surprising insight was how BottleKeeper's acquisition discussions focused less on revenue and more on their intellectual property portfolio. "On four phone calls with the board of directors, not one time did they ask us what our revenue was or if we were profitable," Adam reveals. This challenges conventional wisdom about what creates business value.The Reality of Shark Tank ExposureWhile BottleKeeper secured an on-air deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, it ultimately didn't materialize after filming. However, the exposure generated over $1 million in revenue in the first week after airing. Adam notes, "When you have the opportunity to get in front of millions of eyeballs for free... it is exceptional from a customer acquisition standpoint."Data-Driven Decision MakingAdam's current venture, Pentane, emerged from the systems he built to run BottleKeeper. The SaaS platform helps consumer brands make smarter decisions through data analysis, highlighting how effective internal tools can often become valuable products themselves.I wonder how many ecommerce entrepreneurs are neglecting intellectual property as a value-builder? And how might automation principles from Adam's playbook apply in today's more challenging paid media environment?For more information about the topics discussed in this episode, visit ecommercepodcast.net.

Discover how multi-platform review strategies can dramatically boost your conversion rates while simplifying the review collection process. Learn actionable tips for online reputation management from DJ Sprague, co-author of "Reputation King" and expert in eCommerce review syndication.In this enlightening conversation, Matt Edmundson and DJ Sprague explore the often overlooked world of online reputation management. Contrary to common practice, DJ reveals that displaying reviews only on your website is like "living on an island" - people only see them if they get there. Instead, the key is distributing reviews across multiple platforms to build trust, improve SEO, and significantly increase conversion rates.The episode challenges conventional thinking about review collection, exploring why businesses should aim to capture feedback from all customers (not just the unhappy ones) and why making the review process simple is absolutely crucial for success.About DJ Sprague:DJ Sprague is a veteran in marketing, advertising, sales and PR with over 35 years of experience. He began his career with Eastman Kodak and worked extensively in automotive marketing with brands like Toyota, Hyundai, and Lexus. As a reputation management specialist since the early 90s, DJ has founded three agencies and is the co-author of "Reputation King," the first comprehensive book on eCommerce reputation management. Key Takeaways:- Customers tend to check multiple review platforms before making purchasing decisions- Displaying only positive reviews is considered false advertising and erodes trust- The best time to collect initial reviews is immediately post-checkout while customers are still online- Keep surveys simple - 3-5 questions maximum with the most important question first- Providing a clear reason for requesting reviews significantly increases response rates- Video reviews are increasingly important for visibility in search results- Northwestern University research shows 5 product reviews can increase conversion rates by 270%For more information on transforming your online reputation management strategy, visit https://www.ecommercepodcast.net

Retention Marketing Mastery: From Leaky Buckets to Loyal FansIn this eye-opening episode of The E-Commerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson dives deep into retention marketing with Thomas Lalas, the self-proclaimed "subscription whisperer" who helps million-dollar e-commerce brands keep customers coming back for more. They explore why focusing solely on customer acquisition is like "adding more water to a leaky bucket" and reveal practical strategies for transforming one-time buyers into loyal subscribers.I wonder if you've noticed how the subscription economy has evolved? Thomas shares his journey from startup founder to retention specialist, explaining that his own business collapsed because they prioritized acquisition over retention. Now he's on a mission to help other brands avoid the same costly mistake.Are you missing opportunities in those crucial post-purchase moments? This conversation might just change how you think about customer loyalty and the true value of your existing customer base.Key Takeaways:Thomas challenges the common approach to e-commerce, suggesting that brands focus too heavily on acquisition while neglecting retention. He introduces several innovative concepts:Move beyond "subscribe and save" - Create offers that add genuine lifestyle value and support your customers' identity, not just discounts.Space out your freebies - Rather than front-loading all incentives, gamify the experience by spacing rewards across multiple orders.The post-purchase period is part of the product - The first two weeks after purchase should be considered part of your core offering, not an afterthought.Turn anxiety into excitement - Use the period between purchase and delivery to build anticipation and educate customers.Meet customers where they are - If you acquire customers from Facebook, build a Facebook group; if they're younger and mobile-first, consider an app.Education drives upsells - Create bite-sized masterclasses that educate customers and naturally lead to relevant upsells (Thomas reports a 33% conversion rate).Personalize based on signals - Use surveys and customer behavior to tailor offers to specific needs and concerns.Send more emails, not fewer - Most brands don't send enough post-purchase communication.I wonder how these strategies might transform your relationship with customers? Could turning product education into an event with "graduation" and rewards change how your audience perceives your brand?For more information about retention marketing strategies and to connect with Thomas Lalas, visit our website at ecommercepodcast.net.

Beyond the Silver Bullet: Navigating Multi-Channel eCommerce MarketingIn this enlightening episode, Matt Edmundson speaks with Tony Conte, a digital pioneer who's been shaping eCommerce and brand marketing since the mid-90s. They explore why there's no "silver bullet" in marketing and how creating a consistent customer experience across multiple channels is the real key to sustainable growth.Tony shares valuable insights from Brave Agency's 2023 report on eCommerce marketing trends, highlighting why brands must prioritise customer experience (CX) while balancing data analysis with creative strategy. This conversation offers practical wisdom for eCommerce entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by today's fragmented marketing landscape.Tony emphasises that while digital marketing constantly evolves, the fundamentals remain unchanged - attract, engage, and persuade. The most successful eCommerce businesses take a methodical approach, understanding which channels deliver the best ROI and creating strategies that focus on customer retention through enhanced experiences.This episode offers a refreshing reality check: instead of chasing the latest marketing fad, focus on telling your unique story and creating memorable customer experiences that Amazon and other giants simply cannot replicate.For more information and to download Brave Agency's full report, visit brave.agency.Resources🔗 Connect with Tony Conte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyconteuk🔗 Get the report: https://www.brave.agency🔗 Get the show notes: https://www.ecommerce-podcast.com🔗 Explore Podjunction: https://podjunction.com

From Data Overwhelm to Actionable Insights: Mastering eCommerce Analytics with Jeff SauerIn this illuminating episode of the eCommerce Podcast, host Matt Edmundson chats with Jeff Sauer, the self-described "data whisperer" and founder of Measure Marketing Group. They explore how eCommerce business owners can transform intimidating data analytics into powerful strategic assets for business growth, helping you shift from data overload to data-driven decisions that directly impact your bottom line.I wonder if you, like many eCommerce entrepreneurs, feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data available? Jeff reveals how to cut through the noise and focus on the metrics that actually matter for your business growth.Key Takeaways:1. Focus on the critical 20%: Jeff points out that most businesses only ever use 10-20% of the data they collect. Instead of trying to understand everything, configure that crucial percentage to give you exactly what you need.2. Data is a profit center, not an expense: When properly implemented, analytics should help you identify opportunities and plug leaks in your sales funnel, paying for itself many times over.3. The Measurement Marketing Framework: Rather than being overwhelmed by dashboards, focus on tracking the user journey - did visitors scroll past the fold? Did they see your call to action? Did they take the desired action?4. Google Analytics 4 requires configuration: Without proper setup, GA4 provides limited value. However, its integration with other Google products makes it essential for most eCommerce businesses.5. AB testing alternatives: For smaller sites without massive traffic, focus on fixing obvious problems rather than testing variations. As Jeff says, "Would you AB test whether to plug a hole in a leaking funnel, or would you just plug it?"---Wondering if your eCommerce business is ready for a dedicated data analyst? Jeff suggests that when you reach about 10 employees with two in marketing, your third marketing hire should probably be an analyst.For more information on mastering eCommerce analytics, including free resources, tools, and training programs, visit our website.Visit measureu.com to access Jeff's free community with resources, tools, and workshops on eCommerce analytics.

In this episode of The eCommerce Podcast, Matt Edmundson sits down with Paul Chambers, co-founder of SubSummit, to explore the counterintuitive strategies driving successful subscription businesses. Discover why making cancellation easier actually increases customer lifetime value and learn about the membership models creating lasting loyalty beyond basic discounts.About Our Guest:Paul Chambers is the co-founder of SubSummit, the world's largest conference exclusively dedicated to direct-to-consumer subscription businesses. With decades of experience in subscription commerce, Paul has helped countless brands transform their membership models to improve retention and customer loyalty.Key Insights:"The number of times I've heard from brands where it's like, as soon as we change the cancellation process, as soon as we reduce the friction... we saw immediate uptick in our customer lifetime value and long-term retention." - Paul ChambersWhen customers feel trapped, they develop negative associations with your brand. Conversely, making cancellation frictionless creates trust and paradoxically increases loyalty.Paul shared how Bottomless revolutionized replenishment with smart scales: "I have a scale that sits under our dog food container and I will tell you it works flawlessly. As soon as it's starting to get down, the next I see a shipment notification in my email and just a couple days later I have the next bag of dog food that's on my doorstep."5 Membership Models That Actually Work:Frictionless Replenishment: Using technology to deliver products exactly when customers need themTiered Membership Access: Creating aspirational levels that encourage increased spendingCommunity-Based Membership: Building emotional connections through shared experiencesValue-Added Services: Bundling complementary benefits that increase perceived valueGamified Loyalty Programs: Using achievement systems to maintain engagementResources Mentioned:SubSummit ConferenceBottomless Smart ScalesThe eCommerce Podcast Cohort CommunityPaul LinkedInConnect With Us:Website:eCommercePodcast.netLinkedIn:Matt EdmundsonEmail:matt@ecommercepodcast.netJoin Us at SubSummit!Both Matt and Paul will be at SubSummit this year. Check out subsummit.com to learn about their hosted program which offers free tickets and travel reimbursement!Like this episode? Subscribe to The eCommerce Podcast for more insights on growing your online business.

In this episode, Matt Edmundson speaks with Will Haire from BellaVix about the harsh realities facing Amazon sellers in 2025. Will shares insider strategies for marketplace success, reveals the crucial revenue threshold that changes everything, and explains why Amazon has become a "pay to play platform" where margins matter more than ever.Episode Highlights:Why Amazon now requires at least 50% gross margins for sustainable successThe critical £100K/month revenue threshold that demands different strategiesHow to leverage the "Amazon halo effect" to improve organic rankingsStrategic tactics for brands at different growth stagesThe Creator Connections program and why offering 50% commission can be worth itAmazon's increasing use of AI to modify listings and what it means for sellersKey Insights:The 50% Margin Rule: "If you don't have at least 50% margin, gross margin on your products, like with agency fees, with Amazon's fees, like it's probably not going to be a good fit." - Will HaireThe Amazon Fee Challenge: "With all the fee hikes last year, I mean, it's borderline criminal. But you know, it's the cost of operating." - Will HaireThe Growth Blueprint: "That's how we've taken brands from $100,000 a month to three, $400,000 a month." - Will HaireResources Mentioned:Amazon Creator Connections programAmazon Brand Tailored PromotionsAmazon Attribution links for external trafficConnect With Our Guest:Will Haire is the co-founder of BellaVix, an agency helping brands scale on marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart. They primarily work with brands doing at least $1 million in annual revenue who are looking to reach $3-5 million.LinkedIn: Will HaireWebsite: BellaVixSubscribe to The eCommerce Podcast:Join our newsletter community for exclusive insights: ecommercepodcast.netThe eCommerce Podcast is produced by Podjunction.com#AmazonSeller #eCommerceStrategy #MarketplaceOptimization #ProgrammaticAdvertising #CreatorConnections

Show Notes: How Micro-Influencers Can 10x Your eCommerce Growth with Jay NeyerIn this episode of The eCommerce Podcast, Matt Edmundson talks with Jay Neyer from Lantern Soul about leveraging micro-influencers to dramatically improve advertising performance and scale eCommerce businesses from six to eight figures.Episode HighlightsThe Four Levers of eCommerce Profitability (09:28)CPMs - Cost to reach 1,000 peopleClick-through rate - Engagement with your contentConversion rate - Visitors who make a purchaseAverage order value - How much customers spendThe Micro-Influencer Advantage (20:00)Why accounts with just 1,000-2,000 followers often outperform celebrity influencersHow to identify the right micro-influencers for your brandCreating win-win-win partnerships that benefit everyone involvedInfluencer Whitelisting Strategies for 2025 (22:28)The technical process of running ads through influencer accountsWhy whitelisted content performs better 95% of the timeSetting up partnerships that deliver value to all partiesLanding Page Continuity Technique (32:49)Creating dedicated landing pages featuring the influencerThe "five tips" structure that converts visitors into customersHow to maintain trust throughout the entire customer journeyThe Shift to Broader Targeting (36:12)Why hyper-specific audience targeting no longer works as wellHow Meta's algorithms have evolved to find customers in broader poolsTips for lowering your CPMs while maintaining quality trafficAbout Jay NeyerJay Neyer is a modern Renaissance man—a philosopher, musician, and multilingual mastermind. Beyond his creative pursuits, he's a powerhouse in e-commerce, having generated over 100 million in sales and developed over 500 websites and apps. As a featured speaker for Shopify and Amazon, Jay blends big-picture thinking with technical expertise to turn six-figure brands into eight-figure success stories.Resources MentionedLantern Soul: lanternsol.comConnect with Jay on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jayneyerConnect With UsSubscribe to our newsletter: ecommercepodcast.netFollow Matt on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattedmundsonJoin our community: ecommercepodcast.netThe eCommerce Podcast brings you real talk about building successful online stores. Every Thursday, we speak with experts and founders who've been in the trenches, built the stores, and learned the hard way—so you don't have to.#MicroInfluencers #eCommerceGrowth #InfluencerWhitelisting #ConversionRateOptimization #PerformanceMarketing

Panicking about tariffs on Chinese imports? Think twice before abandoning your suppliers. In this eye-opening conversation with sourcing expert Omer Sasson, Matt Edmundson cuts through the noise surrounding the recent tariff announcements that have sent many eCommerce businesses into crisis mode. Drawing on a decade of experience across Asian markets, Omer reveals why hasty decisions often cause more damage than the tariffs themselves, which countries truly offer viable alternatives, and when China still makes financial sense—even with added costs. You'll discover practical strategies for building a tariff-resistant business, why product uniqueness trumps cheap sourcing, and how to avoid the costly mistakes other brands made during similar disruptions. Whether you're doing £20k or £2M in revenue, this no-nonsense guide offers the clarity you need to navigate these challenging waters.---What You'll Learn:Why rushing away from Chinese suppliers often backfires (and what COVID taught us about panic-driven decisions)The surprising math behind tariffs and when China remains your best option despite the costsAlternative Asian markets worth exploring (Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India) and their unique strengthsHow to develop products that stand apart from competition, creating what Omer calls "heaven time"The cultural misunderstandings that sabotage Western-Asian business relationships---LinksEpisode with Norm Farrar:Can you massively increase perceived value or is it just American Hype? with NormOmer Sasson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/om...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omer...Website: https://thesassoncompany.com/Matt Edmundson:Instagram: Matt Edmundson (@mattedmundson)LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattedmundsoneCommerce Podcast:Homepage - Ecommerce Podcast---If this episode of the eCommerce Podcast piqued your interest make sure to check out everything that gets done over here on the eCommerce Podcast, a space dedicated to eCommerce Wow!