The Marketing Misfits

Jay Hunter, CRO at MaryRuth Organics, breaks down how they’ve scaled to over $500M/year in supplements, how their TikTok Shop strategy feeds Amazon sales through halo effects, and why most brands get everything wrong about influencer marketing and channel diversification. This is a masterclass in real-time execution. You'll learn: - The $35M Amazon boost from TikTok Shop - Why they target complementary, not competitive products - How J’s team reaches out to 3,000 creators daily using AI - How MaryRuth became the top supplement brand on Amazon - What not to do with retail expansion - Unconventional ad platforms like AppLovin & AI UGC tools 💬 Plus: Jay shares his personal brand strategy, the future of live selling, and how to win using scrappiness + smart systems. This is a deep dive for eCom founders, TikTok Shop sellers, and 7–9 figure Amazon brands looking to scale intelligently with AI, community, and content. 00:00 $70M TikTok Halo Effect? 03:31 Who Is Jay Hunter? 07:16 What Drives $500M Brands 11:33 How They Innovate Fast 16:12 Stealing Attention with Strategy 20:02 Retail Isn’t Dead, Unless... 23:56 Their Secret Sauce Revealed 27:39 Roblox? Yep, They’re There 31:54 3,000 TikTok Creators a Day 36:05 How AI Generates Viral Ads 44:07 Why Bilingual Content Wins 47:41 TikTok vs YouTube: Who Wins? 52:10 LinkedIn: Underrated Growth Weapon 55:45 How Top Brands Get Targeted 59:26 The Best “Start Now” Advice 01:02:43 Final Misfits Takeaways This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ritu Java, CEO of PPC Ninja and e-commerce advertising guru, dives into how AI is transforming Amazon marketing. She shares why many sellers are missing the mark by focusing too narrowly on customer avatars. Discover how to craft tailored content for every stage of Eugene Schwartz’s Five Levels of Awareness. Ritu reveals the power of AI-driven ads, emphasizing intent over keywords and discussing strategies for optimizing Amazon storefronts. Plus, she introduces her innovative GPT tool for creating tailored marketing content that converts!

What if you could turn anything into a must-have product... Just by how you pitch it? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, we’re joined by the legendary Forbes Riley, the Queen of Pitch herself, who’s sold over $2.5 billion in products through infomercials, live TV, and now, social commerce. Forbes breaks down the psychology of effective selling, the power of storytelling, and why people never buy based on need, they buy because they want. Whether you're an Amazon seller, TikTok Shop creator, or SaaS founder, this episode will reframe how you think about persuasion, pitching, and product-market fit. 💥 You’ll learn: - Why describing your product is the wrong way to pitch - The secret to creating emotional buy-in within seconds - Her three-yes pitch rule that converts viewers into buyers - The difference between features vs. benefits—and why most sellers mess this up - How her daughter turned down $100K and helped scale a funnel to $1M+ - The rise and fall of infomercials—and how to apply those lessons to TikTok Shop & Amazon Live Why authenticity is the most powerful sales tool in 2024? This is one of the most story-driven, tactical, and motivational episodes of the year. Stick around to hear Forbes’ wildest moments, the invention that changed her life, and how a painful low point led to a multimillion-dollar fitness empire. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits 00:00 –  Intro 04:20 – Forbes’ Horror Film Debut 08:58 – Why She’s the Misfit Queen 12:49 – Winning Miss New York 17:21 – Daughter’s Viral Business Win 21:33 – Forbes Predicts Entrepreneur Future 25:55 – The Perfect Pitch Formula 29:43 – Mastering Digital Marketing Influence 34:01 – Merging Fitness with Business 38:29 – Human Nature & Sales Psychology 42:39 – Speaking to Millions on Stage 46:40 – The Viral Treadmill Story 51:29 – Selling Fitness Products at Scale 56:32 – International Debut: What Happened? 01:00:41 – Gymshark’s Surprising Backstory 01:10:10 – Free Tools via Forbes.comHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Amara Omoregie, a growth operator with expertise in AI automation and CRM, explores the urgent need for brands to adapt or risk being left behind. She reveals how to train AI and your team for success and explains why schema markup is the oft-overlooked SEO secret weapon. Amara emphasizes the difference between growth and scale while sharing valuable insights on optimizing CRM usage. Her 30-page AI manifesto offers strategies to help teams future-proof their marketing efforts in an evolving landscape.

In this powerful episode of Marketing Misfits, Steve Chou from My Wife Quit Her Job dives deep into the psychology behind high-converting eCommerce marketing, why most Amazon sellers are missing the mark with branding, and how the Life Force 8 framework can revolutionize your ads and brand messaging. 💡 Learn how Steve built a 7-figure DTC brand selling personalized handkerchiefs, navigated away from overreliance on Amazon, and used real emotional triggers to build a lasting brand moat. He shares the truth about TikTok Shop, why Google Search is dying, and the power of personal storytelling to dominate in a crowded eComm world. Whether you're selling on Amazon, Shopify, or building your first brand, this episode is a masterclass on sustainable growth, emotional marketing, and why community and connection are the future of commerce. ✅ What You'll Learn: - What the Life Force 8 is and how to use it to boost ad conversions - The real reason TikTok Shop is dying for most sellers - Why events and podcasts still matter in 2025 - How AI is helping sellers with content, fulfillment, automation, and more - The secrets to direct-to-consumer storytelling and repeat customer success - The importance of authenticity and personalization for future-proof brands This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits If you're tired of chasing hacks and want to build a business that lasts — this one’s for you. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly insights from the world’s top brand builders, marketers, and misfits. Chapters 00:00 Intro 04:13 My Wife Quit Her Job... 9:10 Events Lose Money 16:18 Monetizing Podcasts for Profit 21:13 Are You Really Profitable? 24:58 Website vs. Amazon Sales 30:08 TikTok Paid Ad Pivot 33:59 Marketing That Moves People 38:03 Find Winning Ads Fast 42:00 AI Will Reshape Search 46:16 Why Chinese Brands Struggle 50:46 Ask Method Explained Simply 56:07 8fig: Cash Flow Tool 01:00:52 Why He Wrote the Book 01:05:11 Living Below Your Means 01:09:02 The Next Misfit is...Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most brands chase big influencers. Then wonder why sales do not move. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Gracey from Deal Cheats to break down why small creators sell more, how to structure commissions and retainers, and the outreach email that actually gets replies. We cover creator vs influencer vs affiliate, how to set expectations, and how to use AI to test hooks without losing authenticity. You’ll learn - Why follower count does not equal sales - Creator vs influencer vs affiliate explained - When micro creators beat macros on conversion - The outreach message that gets yes or no - Commission ranges that attract creators (10% baseline, 30–50%+ to stand out) - Retainers, bonuses, and how to build loyalty - How to vet listings before sending traffic - Using AI to test 100 hooks fast, then reshoot human - The real workload behind “one short video” - How to set expectations so both sides win Who this helps - Brand owners and ecom marketers on Amazon or TikTok Shop - Creator managers and UGC teams - Agencies running influencer and affiliate programs Key takeaways - Small creators can convert better than big influencers - Clear offers and fair commission drive output - One tight email beats a five-thread back and forth - Treat creators like partners if you want repeat wins - Test with AI, scale with humans Timestamps 00:00 The Strategy Everyone Gets Wrong 04:58 Meet Gracey 09:04 How TikTok Accidentally Made Her Money 14:15 The Profit Tool Sellers Overlook 19:22 Big vs Small Creators (Who Actually Sells?) 23:35 Why Followers Trust Her, Not the Product 27:55 Saying “No” to Brands (And Why It Pays) 31:48 How Creators Really Manage the Workload 37:17 The Outreach Message That Works 42:04 Commissions That Make Creators Say Yes 46:26 How to Build an Affiliate Army 50:45 The Secret Job Brands Should Be Hiring For 55:03 Word of Mouth Beats Any Ad 59:39 The Truth About Virality (What Brands Miss) 01:03:34 The Research Most Brands Skip 01:07:52 How AI Tests 100 Hooks in a Day 01:12:37 How to Work With GraceyThis episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfitsHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Denice Duff, the founder of In Your Face Skincare and a talented actress, shares her extraordinary journey from Hollywood to a multi-million dollar skincare brand. She discusses her hands-on approach to marketing, the power of TikTok for live selling, and how personal storytelling has shaped her brand identity. Denice reveals innovative strategies like creating engaging sample packs and the vital role of email marketing in her success. Her insights into maintaining product quality while scaling and the importance of authenticity resonate with anyone in the entrepreneurial space.

Adam Ackerman, a successful 7-figure Amazon seller and founder of Turnkey Health & Beauty, dives into the dark side of the Amazon supplement industry. He sheds light on the critical importance of transparency and compliance to protect your brand. The conversation uncovers alarming truths about counterfeit products and the necessity for thorough quality assurance. Adam also discusses innovative marketing strategies powered by AI and social media, revealing why pet supplements may outperform human ones in profitability. If you're in the game, this is vital info!

Neil Patel, a leading marketing expert and founder of NP Digital, shares invaluable insights on the rapid evolution of SEO influenced by AI. He discusses the pressing need for 'search everywhere optimization' to engage consumers effectively across platforms like Amazon and YouTube. Patel emphasizes that content is no longer king, replaced by the capacity to adapt and personalize strategies. He warns marketers against relying on outdated methods and highlights how data, not just content, will drive competitive advantages in the future.

Tiffany Ivanovsky, founder of several successful businesses and known for her stint on Extreme Couponing, shares her journey of rejecting a $100,000 brand deal, revealing how this bold choice led to more genuine success. She discusses her low-overhead business model, effective cash flow strategies, and the importance of overcoming setbacks with a strong mindset. Tiffany emphasizes the need for authenticity in entrepreneurship and encourages women to stop seeking permission to pursue their goals, making her insights a treasure trove for aspiring business leaders.