The Unofficial Shopify Podcast

In this episode, you'll hear how a designer and entrepreneur from the UK turned a personal tragedy into a compelling story and business that has helped thousands of men live better lives.Ollie Aplin is the co-founder of MindJournal, the global men's journaling movement a mission to help guys feel happier and healthier.We ask him:Why journaling and why journaling for men?Why launch on Kickstarter? (Building a community and validation was key)How did you overcome the fear of putting yourself out there and taking a risk both emotionally and financially?What lessons have you learned about yourself, or entrepreneurship since launching in 2016The one piece of advice you would give to other entrepreneurs who are thinking about launching a new business or product in 2020Links MentionedKickstarterMindjournals - Use code KURT20 to get 20% off your first JournalIG:@ollieaplinDo Purpose by David HieattNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.SponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta Manager

This episode is also available with video on YouTube.Last week at Shopify Re-Unite, a webinar keynote, Shopify's leadership team revealed new and upcoming features. Paul and I attended and will give you the run down today.After that, we do a teardown of Pit Vipers, a store that is equal parts impressive and ridiculous.Links MentionedCarcaine SupplyProven Winners DirectShopify Re-UniteRe-Unite RecapPit VipersSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.

Using accounting as a useful business tool is harder than it sounds. Most of us don't really know what we should be looking at or how to interpret it.In today's episode, you'll learn some counter-intuitive wisdom and financial truths you can start using immediately to accelerate you light years ahead of the competition.Key Takeaways:How cash conversion cycle (CCC) is the most important key performance indicator for your financesThe biggest financial challenges merchants faceWhich financial metrics you should be actively monitoringHow to be smarter about discountingAvoiding the common mistakes Ecommerce merchants make with their financesOur guest today is Jason Andrew, a chartered accountant, founder, and business advisor to high-growth businesses. His accounting firm, SBO.Financial, focuses on helping Ecommerce businesses with their numbers, ranging from bookkeeping and financial control to profit and cash flow maximisation strategies.In 2019, Jason published an entrepreneurial accounting book, Stark Naked Numbers, which he describes as "the 4-hour work week of business finance."Links MentionedBook: Stark Naked NumbersSBO FinancialLinkedIn: @jason-andrewThe Personal MBABook: All Marketers are LiarsSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.SponsorsThis episode was made possible by Ecom Growers - In eCommerce, the difference between great and good email campaigns is hundreds of thousands of dollars Ecom Growers is an agency that figured it out so you don’t leave any sales on the table.

Stefan Gehrig, a former Research Scientist, started King Kong Apparel in 2011 when he was heavily involved in the still-niche sport of CrossFit. Since then, starting with a single (relatively crappy) gym bag he has scaled to a Shopify Plus store that sells tens of thousands of bags, backpacks and meal prep bags per year.We talk:How they built a community of brand evangelistsWhat they'd do differently starting overThe most underestimated component of successHow their quizOh, and you'll never guess where they got their mascot from. It's wild.King Kong bags are widely known for their toughness, durability and functionally and have grown with the sport of CrossFit, and branched out into other fitness markets.Links MentionedKing Kong ApparelThe 4-Hour Workweek (For the two of you haven't read it yet)Pickzen - Quiz AppNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.SponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta Manager

The world is changing, and a core part of that change is everyone and everything finally getting online.Ecommerce is booming. Let's talk through it:We discuss Shopify's Q1 2020 financial reportThe wild projects we're working on right nowPredictions Shopify's newest featuresOur number one Facebook ads tip from a man who spends $30K/day on adsAN ALLBIRDS TEARDOWN!!Links MentionedShopify's Q1 2020 financial reportShopify Re-UniteVirtual Shopify MeetupSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.

In this episode, Shopify merchants will hear how they could be better using humor in their marketing copy (especially email!) to improve conversions.How humor boosts conversionsHow to approach voice of customer researchHow can store owners and marketers write funnier copy without offending customers or coming off the wrong way?How do you know you're succeeding with humor?What are some big opportunities most brands overlook when creating their email automations?Lianna Patch is a conversion copywriter and comedian whose greatest dream is to make your customers pause, smile, and click (in that order).She’s written copy for Freshbooks, Manly Bands, LifeStraw, and The Contract Shop, among other delightful clients, and regularly speaks at ecommerce and software conferences around the world.Links MentionedPunchline CopySNAP CopySNAP Copy's free Voice of Customer Research Kit@punchlinecopyNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.SponsorsThis episode was made possible by Ecom Growers - In eCommerce, the difference between great and good email campaigns is hundreds of thousands of dollars Ecom Growers is an agency that figured it out so you don’t leave any sales on the table.

Our guest today has a long track record with ecommerce: both successes and failures. We're joined by Ryan Daniel Moran, founder of Freedom Fast Lane and Capitalism.com, to discuss what he believes are the fundamental appraoches that create the enduring ecommerce success stories.Key Moments:How the Income Store affected himWhy the pandemic can be good for youThe dangers of short term decisionsWhat most entreprenuers get wrong when scales 7-figure businessesRyan's product & audience formulas for successAs a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and investor, Ryan's main focus is on creating lifestyle freedom --- helping people create lasting businesses and investing the profits, while enjoying a higher quality of life, and working less.In addition to operating, selling, and investing in multiple million dollar ecommerce brands, Ryan is best known for his work at Freedom Fast Lane - where he leads "The Tribe" and helps entrepreneurs develop their business plan, get results rapidly, and invest for passive income.In The Tribe, he is responsible for creating 100+ millionaires, many of which occurred in 12 months or less following his philosophies on creating products people want, marketing them profitably, and creating life-long customers and brand evangelist.Ryan's mission is to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to create jobs, contribute to the economy, and uplift their families and local communities to create a better world.Links MentionedCapitalism12 Months to $1 Million: How to Pick a Winning Product, Build a Real Business, and Become a Seven-Figure Entrepreneur Kindle EditionSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.

In this listener Q&A episode, we answer nine merchant's pressing questions regarding marketing their Shopify stores. We even try something new and call a few experts on the phone to get their answers.Tik Tok: is it time?Starting a loyalty programSEO Apps VS DIY SEO VS Using a consultant for SEOWhat gear, setup and software do you use to do remote podcast with video?Pros and cons of affiliate programsWhat to do with 15,000 visitors a month and barely any salesA sane beginner's approach to Facebook AdsWhich reviews app to choose (and structured metadata)And lastly a thought exercise: "What are the top 3 things you would do to grow your following/list if starting a new store from scratch on a low budget of say around $200/month."Plus Paul reveals the terrible secret his refrigerator has been hiding, and Kurt wears makeup.Links MentionedKlaviyo's Coronavirus Daily InsightsSmileSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.

Today we're joined by long-time Shopify Partner and SEO app developer Rhian Beutler to discuss your SEO questions.In this Shopify SEO Crash Course, you'll hear the answer to:Do those ‘seo’ apps really work?The latest Google Algorithm changes you need to knowWhat does Mobile Indexing First mean for your store?How to approach Google's technical recommendationsWhat happens if you have to pause your business online?How long should my alt tags be? Is there such a thing as them being too long?What are best practices for image alt tags? Do I really write for accessibility or do I stuff keywords?How do you research keywords to target based on your niche?What does optimizing for a keyword really mean?How much time should I spend creating content vs building backlinks?Links MentionedVenntovMozOfficial Google Webmaster BlogTw:@searchliaisonA Beginner's Guide to Google Search Console - MozMoz BlogImage Compression Tools: Kraken, ImageOptimGoogle Keyword PlannerHemingway AppTw:@rhiankatieSponsorsGet powerful marketing automation with Klaviyo's revenue-driving email platformTry Bold Product Upsell, free trialSave 20% on Turbo, a blazing fast Shopify theme - Use code PODCAST20 at checkoutImprove your shop’s search engine ranking with Venntov SEO Meta ManagerNever miss an episodeSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsJoin Kurt's newsletterHelp the showAsk a question in The Unofficial Shopify Podcast Facebook GroupLeave a reviewSubscribe wherever you get your podcastsWhat's Kurt up to?See our recent work at EthercycleSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelApply to work with Kurt to grow your store.

As we look for more ways to generate quality organic traffic to our stores, SEO will come to mind.In this episode, you'll will hear how to get more search engine traffic to your store.We're joined by an SEO Expert who has been called an "SEO genius" by Entrepreneur.com and a "brilliant entrepreneur" by Inc Magazine.If you've read the Backlinko blog or watched their YouTube channel, you'll recognize today's guest, Brian Dean.Brian's going to tell us:How to create awesome ecommerce contentHow to use Authority Sculpting to boost rankings to product and category pagesHow to rank above Amazon (yes, its possible!)