eCommerce Podcast

Are you struggling to make your Facebook Ads work for your business? Tune in to today's episode of the eCommerce Podcast where Marin Ištvanić from Inspire Agency joins Matt to talk about all things Facebook Ads. In the last 12 months, Marin has spent over $30 Million on Facebook ads, and today he’s going to share some of his go-to Facebook ads strategies and learnings as well as some additional tips and tricks to help you do the same. You don't want to miss out on this one!ABOUT MARIN:In the past 7 years, Marin has gone from freelancer contractor to head of performance at Inspire agency. He leads a boutique agency working with a handful of selected clients while providing service for paid social. Besides the agency, he’s a partner at a few in-house brands he helped scale and exit. He’s also 2x GeekOut speaker and 1x Affiliate World Asia speaker.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:The biggest misconception when using Facebook ads for e-commerce stores is thinking that optimizing for add-to-cart or traffic will lead to sales; the optimal conversion goal is always sales. Additionally, in order to effectively use ads, a well-established product market fit and proven offer and funnel are necessary.Maximizing the efficiency of Facebook ads for your e-commerce store comes down to focusing on a proven market with a good offer, using psychological and marketing tricks in your advertising, and prioritizing your creative, messaging, and targeting based on different levels of sophistication and awareness in your funnel.A unique identifier in Facebook ads creative needs to provide tangible benefits such as saving time, money, or improving effectiveness compared to competitors. To find people who could create user-generated content (UGC) for your business's Facebook ads, you can reach out to creative agencies or search for UGC creators on Instagram or Twitter. The cost of UGC creation ranges from gifting a free product to $5k per video, but it depends on your strategy for using the content in your ads.According to Marin, the best way to stay up to date with the latest trends in Facebook advertising for e-commerce and media buying in the D2C space is to join the Twitter D2C community where people are constantly sharing and providing value. He highly recommends being on Twitter for those seeking to grow their store and connect with other professionals.Choosing a Facebook ads agency requires looking for proof of competence, specific deliverables, communication, and a good bedding in period of a few weeks. It's also important for the client to have a pro market fit and spend at least 1K per day on Facebook ads. Transparency and a comprehensive plan are crucial for success.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

Have you ever wondered why subscription businesses like HelloFresh and Netflix are so successful and why should you consider having a subscription model for your ecommerce business?Tune in to this episode of the eCommerce Podcast as Chris George from Subsummit uncovers the secrets of businesses that have nailed customer satisfaction through subscription models and how you can use subscriptions to take your ecommerce business to the next level!ABOUT CHRIS:Chris George, the unstoppable serial entrepreneur who has successfully launched and managed seven businesses and sold two is the mastermind behind the wildly popular Gentleman's Box and hosts The Subscription Podcast - available on all podcasts channel. Chris regularly supports emerging brands by investing in and mentoring individuals and companies that lead with purpose over profit. Also the co-founder + CEO on Subsummit.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular because they provide convenience and allow customers to use things as they want, which is what the next generation is looking for in a shopping experience. This trend is causing more and more e-commerce brands to adopt subscription models.To differentiate from companies like Amazon, e-commerce businesses should consider providing an exclusive product or building a relationship with the consumer through subscriptions that consistently provide value and result in predictable income and higher valuations.Subscriptions have a high upfront cost for customer acquisition, but the lifetime value of a subscriber can be significant if they stay on for an average amount of time. Brands with successful subscription models aim to build a habit within their consumer, and those that do can see customers staying on for years.Target the right customers and understand their profile to offer something of value in a crowded subscription market. Despite competition from big names like Netflix, marketers can provide more value by targeting individuals' passions and needs.Chris believes that a beauty company starting today should prioritize building a subscription model first as it offers a low-cost marketing tool and higher customer value compared to one-off purchases. Subscription can work alongside traditional e-commerce, but Chris recommends being subscription-only.Subsummit is the world's largest event for all consumer subscriptions, focusing on helping entrepreneurs and subscription-based businesses build better subscription-based companies, with a huge expo hall, multiple track rooms, and speakers ranging from NBA to Time Magazine. The event covers everything from how to start and grow a subscription business to retaining customers and international expansion.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

Eric Melchor from Optimonk joins Matt Edmundson in this episode to share his insights on website personalization and how to make the most of it to improve customer experience and increase sales!ABOUT ERICEric Melchor is a personalization geek, mediocre tennis player, and Texas expat living in Romania. His background is in identifying ways to increase customer lifetime value through video and web personalization as well as partnership marketing. In addition to being the personalization ambassador for OptiMonk, he also hosts a podcast called Innovators Can Laugh where he learns from innovative startups in the European tech scene.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Eric started out with Bonjoro, a company that segmented videos into industry categories. With Optimonk, he created a system that personalized the experience for each user thus improving the overall experience for global visitors.Personalization can be a powerful tool for website owners, increasing conversion rates and engagement. One way to personalize the user experience is to use a conversational pop-up that asks questions about the visitor's preferences. This allows you to segment your visitors and serve them content that they are interested in, which can lead to increased sales.Optimonk seeks to create micro engagements on websites in order to increase customer value optimization. These micro engagements can take the form of providing relevant content based on a user's individual behavior or preferences, or simply engaging with them in a friendly way.If you are running a small e-commerce store, try to save abandoned carts and offer discounts to encourage people to return. Using a nano bar at the bottom of your website to collect emails and tying the headline on your landing page to the ad copy of your Facebook ads and Google paid media ads are some great strategies to increase sales.Other quick wins for personalization include messages for returning visitors and images of a visitor's home country flag with a welcome message.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

Amazon is always changing and evolving their platform, so it can be hard to keep up with what's going on. But don't worry because we have you covered!Jon Tilley from ZonGuru joins Matt Edmundson in this episode to talk all about what Amazon is doing and what Amazon sellers need to know.ABOUT JONJon Tilley is a successful entrepreneur & Amazon thought leader. After 15 years working as an account director & strategist for some of the top global digital agencies, Jon started his Amazon journey in 2014 launching multiple successful private label brands, and soon after launching ZonGuru, an all-in-one software toolset for Amazon Private Label Sellers.ZonGuru continues to launch tools ahead of the market, and use data driven techniques to help its customers create and run successful Private Label businesses on Amazon.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:ZonGuru has evolved to cater to new customer types, including enterprise brands and agencies that manage Amazon brands for their clients. It is focused on efficiency, quality, and scalability, which resonates with experts in the field. The company is doing more outbound marketing and sitting down for demos with potential customers. Private label sellers are still a massive part of their audience.Jon believes that there are still amazing opportunities for small-scale businesses on Amazon, both in the US and internationally. To be successful, entrepreneurs need to be dialed-in to data and understand how to use it properly. They also need a good launch strategy and processes in place to prevent them from going out of stock. It is important to note that competition from bigger brands with deep pockets is fierce, so choosing the right market is key.Jon talks about their Global Niche Analysis Report, which helps to assess a niche market. He says that it is possible to look at successful markets in the US and bring them to international markets. It is also possible to look at saturated markets in the US and see if there are opportunities there.Most brands now have an Amazon division focused on pushing their products out onto the e-commerce platform. Google is favored by Amazon because they understand that there is money to be made off of sponsored ads. However, smaller players can still compete by driving traffic from other platforms to their storefronts.Matt and Jon discuss the opportunity for Shopify agencies to become Amazon specialists. While there is potential in this area, businesses need to be careful not to spread themselves too thin. Jon has created an accreditation course for agencies which covers operational aspects of running an Amazon business.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

Are you struggling to find ways to increase the revenue for your E-commerce business? Join us for this episode of the eCommerce Podcast where the entrepreneur's best friend, Greg Writer shares his tips and tricks to increase your AOV, create upsells and cross-sells, and leverage discounts and promotions to drive more sales. Get the tips you need to maximize your profits and take your business to the next level.ABOUT GREGGreg Writer is known as the go-to guy for entrepreneurs who need advice. He's been around the block for over 35 years, doing everything from corporate finance to sales and marketing. Greg's made big bucks in eCommerce, using the same strategies he shares in his seminars and keynotes. Nowadays, he's running the show at Launch Cart, a SaaS eCommerce platform that he founded himself.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Greg has been helping entrepreneurs and inventors for 40 years, and is known as the "entrepreneur's best friend" due to his extensive experience in investing and raising capital for companies, as well as the wisdom he has gained from both successes and failures.Matt and Greg discussed the founding of Launch Cart, an e-commerce platform designed to help entrepreneurs and celebrities monetize their businesses and build wealth through asset protection and brand equity.Greg shares about his vision of building a platform that includes a drop shipping marketplace (Source and Sell Marketplace) and banking as a service with blockchain to help entrepreneurs run their businesses more efficiently.Greg highlights strategies to increase Average Order Value (AOV) for e-commerce stores, such as adding images, trust seals, countdown timers and scarcity timers to the checkout page, offering order bumps on the checkout page with digital downloads or discounts for buying multiple items, and offering more of the same item that customers are already ordering.The use of upsells and down sells to increase customer orders and maximize profits, with the potential to convert 10-30% of customers post checkout.Greg talks about the importance of split-testing and optimizing the customer journey, and the importance of incorporating emotion into product marketing in order to make a lasting impression.How the use of reviews, video recordings, postcards, and emotional storytelling can help increase average order value when selling products online.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

If you're wondering how you to market your business with Google and YouTube Ads and start generating some leads and sales for your business, you don't want to miss this episode.Brett Curry from OMG Commerce joins Matt in this episode to talk about some of the latest trends in Google and YouTube Advertising so you can get the most out of your campaigns.ABOUT BRETTBrett is a seasoned entrepreneur, digital marketer and podcast host. He leads an 8-Figure ad agency of Google, YouTube and Amazon marketing rockstars. Brett is also the father of 8 children, and a basketball coach.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:YouTube has 2 billion active monthly users, making it a great platform for e-commerce entrepreneurs. There is a perceived barrier to entry when it comes to testing on YouTube, as people don't know how to go about doing so. Creative is important on YouTube, as the video needs to be interesting enough to get someone to click.YouTube is a good platform for both demand generation and capture. Remarketing to already existing customers is also an effective strategy on YouTube.On YouTube, videos as short as 30 seconds can be used for awareness, while longer form videos such as one to three minutes are better for conversions.Videos over 3 minutes long may incur a cost from YouTube, yet they could still be effective if they convert well.When it comes to ROAS, Google is typically higher due to being closer to the purchase than YouTube. However, it's important to remember that YouTube feeds other campaigns and its role should not be overlooked.Once a user clicks on your ad and is taken to your landing page, they need to feel like they are in the right place, with a headline that is congruent to what was seen in the video. Additionally, there should be more selling on the landing page, outlining benefits and features as well as video and social proof.Brett recommends building out a strong bottom of the funnel with search, shopping, and remarketing on the Google side first. Start testing a lander with Facebook before moving to YouTube with a minimum budget of $5-10K per month. A customer acquisition cost of $50-100 should be anticipated for direct conversions.Google Performance Max is a single campaign channel that encompasses all Google channels such as search, shopping, display, discovery, YouTube, and Maps. It replaces Smart Shopping for eCommerce brands and encourages advertisers to focus more on creative like images, product listings, and optimized videos.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

The merger and acquisition landscape is constantly evolving and it can be tough to keep up with all the changes.  Whether you're thinking of selling or buying a company, you need to pay attention to these changes because they could impact you in a big way.Ben Leonard from Ecom Brokers joins Matt in this episode to talk about the big changes that have taken place in the M&A landscape and what business owners must do to build their brands. ABOUT BENBest known as the founder of Beast Gear, Ben Leonard is the classic millennial entrepreneur. He built a business on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time. The difference? Ben grew an international 7-figure business and successfully exited after three years; the business holy grail! Naturally, people started to ask him for help in selling their business and thus, Ecom Brokers was born. Ben has been a previous guest on the show talking about how to scale and sell your own Ecommerce business.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:2022 has been a difficult year for small business owners. Costs have been rising and sales has been falling. More and more people are getting into entrepreneurship and it’s not just more competitors but the competition is better. So as a business owner, you have to think about the long-term and build more of a sustainable brand.The risk appetite of most buyers has dropped. So that means it's not a seller's market anymore. There have been fewer deals and the deals that have been done have been done at lower-than-expected prices compared to last year. The multiples have gone down. So, the value of businesses has dropped, particularly for a weak brand. ECOM Brokers was founded to help E-commerce business owners plan and execute their exit and to improve not only the experience of the seller but the buyer as well. For some businesses, it means selling very soon and for others, it means working together for a year or two to get ready to sell their business for a deal that is appropriate for them and that matches their goals.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

Are you struggling to find new and effective ways to grow your business? Look no further than email marketing! In this episode, our expert guest, Tom Kulzer, shares the most valuable email marketing strategies to help you attract new customers, engage with your audience, and drive growth for your business. Tune in and get ready to learn how to use email marketing to take your business to the next level!ABOUT TOMTom Kulzer is the founder and CEO at AWeber, the leading email marketing and automation platform for small businesses, where he is actively involved in the company’s strategic direction, growth and evolution. Over the company’s 24-year history, Tom has nurtured AWeber from a small start-up to a robust organization, that has enabled over 1 million customers to grow their businesses, all without public or venture funding.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:AWeber is an email marketing platform that enables small businesses around the world to be able to send communications out to the people that requested them. They are the automation behind communicating with your subscribers. Email has remained one of the top investments for businesses from a return-on-investment standpoint through the years. When done right, it is highly profitable, allowing you to connect with your users in ways that you just can't do across social and other platforms.Another major benefit of email is that you own your audience. Email is more transferable, more ownable, has longer term economics and email subscribers are worth far more than Facebook or Twitter followers.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

AI is changing the world as we know it and generative AI is leading the change. Max Sinclair from Ecomtent joins Matt in today's episode to talk about the amazing possibilities of Generative AI and sheds light on the most popular Generative AI system right now, ChatGPT.ABOUT MAXMax is CEO and Founder of Ecomtent, who are revolutionising how E-commerce sellers create content with Generative AI. Prior to founding Ecomtent, Max spent 6 years at Amazon. Here he worked on the launch of Amazon Business in the UK, the country launch of Ecomtent in Singapore, and the launch of Amazon Grocery across the EU. Throughout this time, Max worked directly with 100s of sellers of all sizes across many categories, and saw the pain of creating content for Ecommerce first hand.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Generative AI is a new wave of Artificial Intelligence that can produce entirely new content such as images, videos, texts and code. It differs from deterministic AI which uses data sets to answer questions or classify objects. Max started Ecomtent to use this technology for e-commerce sellers in order to help them create content more efficiently.ChatGPT uses something called Generative Adversarial Network which consists of two networks: a generator and discriminator. Although useful, Chat GPT should be used cautiously as it only generates text sounding correct but not necessarily accurate.Matt and Max discuss the implications of AI on creation. They explore how chat GPT can be used to write a book with a single prompt, as well as its potential applications in other industries such as law. Max stated that while it is terrifying, technological advances have been beneficial for humanity throughout history and should not be feared.Ecomtent is creating product images and lifestyle images using generative AI. The ambition is to create optimized descriptions, bullet points and A+ content as well as lifestyle imagery that would not be generated again exactly the same if given the same prompt multiple times over.Max explained their vision statement, which is "unimaginable creativity" with limitless personalization. He added that generative AI can create code as well, which will lead to a future where people just have to say “build me a website” and the AI will do so smartly with all permutations taken into account.Max suggests that new e-commerce persons use chat GPT to analyze reviews on competitors and understand customer preferences. Secondly, Max suggests generating a list of 100 search phrases/keywords related to the product as well as optimizing bids on Amazon or Google based on that list.Max has used Chat GPT to discover a unique writing style. He recommends using this technique when creating blog posts, making them more entertaining and engaging. Natural language translation is another application of Chat GPT as it understands the key themes and concepts in order to create new phrases and synonyms for other languages.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.

In this episode, Christian Simovic joins Matt to show you how to create a frothing at the mouth email using nothing but plain-text emails. A lot of people think that you need fancy software or HTML coding skills to create an effective email campaign, but that's not true. You can get great results with simple text-based emails if you know what you're doing. ABOUT CHRISTIANChristian Simovic is a plain-text email marketing specialist. He prescribes daily emails for his clients, and sends out daily email marketing tips via his email list. His clients have ranged from small organic skincare brands to reality TV stars.Here’s a summary of the great stuff that we cover in this show:Copywriting is applying the fundamentals of salesmanship and understanding the psychology of why we buy and then applying that to the written word. From a psychological point of view, a plain text email is a much better approach because it helps build a personal one on one connection. Also, from an email deliverability standpoint, if you have images and newsletter kind of themes, they are likely to end up in the promotions tab, or worse the spam tab. When writing daily emails, you can't just be pure sales. If you're writing fun, informational, and more importantly, entertaining content that segue into a product, you really can't go wrong with daily emailing. Just plain text emails, they could be various lengths - short question, 300 to 500, some 500 to1000 words depending on the kind of content you're sending out, that resonates with your audience and engages them.  The PAS (Problem, Agitate, Solution) approach is great for writing plain text long form marketing emails. If you spend all of your time knowing everything about your market, the problems, their pains, what they want, their slang, their little jokes, then writing daily emails or just writing emails in general becomes very easy because you understand your audience and what they want to talk about.For complete show notes, transcript and links to our guest, check out our website: www.ecommerce-podcast.com.