Send us a textWe're uncovering vital trends impacting your business decisions—from the rise in marketing budgets to the power of agencies in shaping strategies. We'll explore consumer behavior shifts, particularly within millennial families, and delve into how seasonal trends like back-to-school shopping can influence your bottom line.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Raul Galera, discusses the significant shifts in social commerce, with TikTok Shop coming to the forefront, and live shopping's potential to drive engagement and sales. Plus, Jordan West will provide expert tips on agency fee structures to ensure your partnership aligns with profitability and growth strategies.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Increase in Marketing Budgets: Brands are now spending more on marketing despite initial hesitations. This reflects growing confidence in marketing investments, particularly noticeable after the seasonal summer lull.Value of Agencies: Agencies provide a broader view of industry trends because of their access to data from multiple brands, as opposed to brands relying solely on their own data points. This makes agencies valuable for insights and strategic decisions.App Spending: Brands focus app spending on potential ROI rather than having a fixed budget, making it part of the marketing investment rather than a hard cost.Reactive Financial Practices in E-commerce: Many e-commerce business owners lack formal business education and tend to be more reactive in financial decision-making.Fractional CFOs: They can sometimes scrutinize agency value without understanding the significance of the services provided, leading to potential misjudgments in strategic decisions.Agency Relationships: Good communication and overcoming pride are important to maintain beneficial relationships between brands and agencies.Social Commerce Trends: Platforms like TikTok and live shopping are becoming essential for modern brand visibility and engagement strategies.Shift in Ecommerce Sentiment: There is an optimistic shift in sentiment for 2024 compared to a challenging 2023, with brands feeling more prepared for events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.Agency vs. In-house Staffing: Agencies are preferred over in-house hires due to their shared industry knowledge and expertise, though brands are becoming more selective about agency fees.Today’s Guest: Raul Galera, who is connected with Referral Candy, a platform specializing in enhancing referral marketing strIn this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

Jordan West, a seasoned eCommerce expert with vast experience in managing brands and social commerce, dives into the power of TikTok Shop. He emphasizes the importance of integrating TikTok with direct-to-consumer strategies and Amazon for amplified sales. Jordan highlights the need to establish a robust affiliate network before running ads and shares tips on attracting influencers. He also addresses challenges faced by Canadian businesses and encourages leveraging live shopping trends to enhance sales.

Send us a textExplore the essential role of strong leadership in scaling businesses, drawing from principles like the "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership." Bryant will share his incredible journey, from revamping a struggling women's apparel brand to leading the marketing powerhouse at Bethel Music and navigating the dynamic environment of The Adventure Challenge.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Bryant Jacquez, today we're diving deep into the world of leadership, business turnarounds, and dynamic marketing. Bryant, a seasoned professional in the ecommerce space, has a rich history in direct-to-consumer marketing and has held prominent roles such as CMO and CEO across several high-impact companies.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Identifying and Managing Underperformers:"C players" harm organizations. Leaders must identify and manage or remove underperformers to maintain high performance.Leadership is Fundamental:Effective leadership drives organizational success. Leaders should focus on continually improving their skills.Survival Tactics in Distressed Environments:In high-stakes situations, urgent actions take priority over traditional practices. This focus can help revive struggling companies.Diverse Marketing Strategies:Diversifying marketing is crucial. Relying on one platform limits reach; using influencers, affiliates, and multiple channels maximizes engagement.Restructuring and Cost Optimization:Switching to cost-effective software saves money and improves resource allocation.Creative Talent and Risk-Taking:Allowing talent the freedom to explore fosters innovation, as seen with the Adventure Challenge team.Adaptability in Career:Transferring skills across roles creates new opportunities, such as managing both artists and influencers.The Importance of Strong Vendor Relationships:Strong vendor relationships ensure stability. Payment issues can disrupt operations.Innovation in Marketing Campaigns:Leveraging popular culture, like the Snoop Dogg campaign for Solo Stove, drives viral success and enhances brand exposure.Today’s Guest: Bryant Jaquez, a seasoned professional in the ecommerce space known for his strategic leadership and marketing expertise. Bryant has held significant roles such as CMO and CEO, contributing to the growth and turnaround of several companies, including The Adventure Challenge, Caden Lane, and Buddy Love. He is well-versed in direct-to-consumer (D2C) marketing, scaling businesses, In this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

Kyle Hency, co-founder of Chubbies and now at Good Day Software, dives into the complexities of e-commerce operations and inventory management. He discusses the Pendulum Effect in business trends, stressing the need for brands to prepare for rapid growth while maintaining strong unit economics. Hency contrasts the simplicity of Shopify with the intricacies of traditional ERP systems, showcasing Good Day's innovative approach to streamline operations. The rise of social commerce through platforms like TikTok and YouTube also catches his attention, highlighting future retail dynamics.

Send us a textTikTok is playing a bigger role in e-commerce, but its closed-loop attribution can be tricky, making it tough to track conversions directly—yet, it still drives sales on platforms like Amazon thanks to a powerful halo effect.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Steven from TrioSEO. We'll explore the complexities of customer journeys on TikTok, the immense value of consistent and strategic blogging for long-term SEO success, and why personal branding and authentic content are more crucial than ever in the age of AI. Steven will also share his expert insights on creating a balanced approach that combines SEO with PPC to drive sustained traffic and sales. Whether you’re struggling with attribution challenges on social platforms or looking to build your brand’s authority through contentListen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:TikTok Strategy and Attribution: TikTok’s growing role in e-commerce is hindered by attribution challenges, but ads still boost sales on other platforms like Amazon through a halo effect.SEO and Blogging: Blogs strengthen SEO by enhancing category pages, with SEO being a long-term game requiring a balanced approach of content, technical SEO, and backlinks. PPC complements SEO for a well-rounded strategy.Authenticity and Personal Branding: Personal branding is key, as it resonates more with audiences than AI-generated content.Steven Schneider's Offers: Steven is active on LinkedIn, offering three free blog articles (worth $1200) for the first month, with a focus on blogging over backlinks.SEO Tools: Quality data sources like Semrush and Ahrefs are essential for data-driven blogging.Hiring an SEO Agency: Human expertise in SEO is valuable for long-term results, offering sustainable traffic versus PPC’s temporary boost.Social Commerce and Blogging: Blogs capture research-based traffic and support social commerce sales.Host Jordan West's Perspective: While PPC is great for immediate results, blogs are a lasting, owned asset for consistent traffic—illustrated by examples like a hiking brand targeting product-specific blog content.Today’s Guest: Steven Schnieder, an expert in blogging and SEO. He is currently connected with TrioSEO, where his title is presumably related to his expertise in B2B blogging services and SEO management. Schneider's background includes a significant shift from an interesIn this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

Send us a textExplore cash flow strategies, like leveraging pre-sales for inventory, using ad platform invoicing, and credit extensions to scale e-commerce businesses. Personal insights highlight supplier negotiation, inventory management, and low-risk financing for growth.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Grayson Cross gets into the nuts and bolts of cash flow management and financing for e-commerce brands. Grayson shares practical strategies for leveraging customer pre-sales, utilizing monthly invoicing options from major ad platforms, and optimizing credit cards and invoice financing services to extend payment timelines. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Embrace Change:Change is essential for growth despite its challenges.Leverage Pre-Sales:Pre-sell limited editions to fund inventory, as seen in the gaming industry.Personal Interaction:Founders should engage customers through personal digital content.Ad Platform Payments:Use invoicing from platforms like Facebook and Google to manage cash flow.Smart Credit Use:Utilize credit cards like Amex Plum with net 60 terms, and tools like Ampla for extended payment terms and rewards.Invoice Financing:Services like Settle and Melio offer extended payment terms to ease cash flow.Tiered Financing:Use a mix of financing options strategically, from asset-based lending to revenue-based financing.Supplier Negotiation:Build strong supplier relationships and negotiate better terms for improved cash flow.Inventory Management:Keep inventory aligned with sales; use solutions like Portless for better flow and shipping.Strategic Debt:Leverage debt wisely for growth, balancing risks and rewards.Post-COVID Strategy:Adapt to post-COVID challenges to sustain growth.Entrepreneurship Reality:Entrepreneurship requires practical knowledge and self-awareness.Cash Flow Priority:Keep OpEx under 20%, using a mix of financing tools, and maintain accurate accounting methods.Hierarchical Financing:Start with low-risk options like supplier terms before exploring riskier financing models.Today’s Guest: Grayson Cross, a proven serial entrepreneur and the head of growth as well as a full partner at Weekend Digital. Weekend encompasses various branches including investment, digital, studios, and motorsports. Grayson has deep expertise in digital marketing and media buying, having started his entrepreneurial journey at the younIn this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

Send us a textUnderstanding that the learning in Google Ads happens at the account level rather than the ad set level, which differs from Facebook ads. Responding to changes in Google's advertising platform due to increased competition and a shift towards a focus on quality score and user interaction, rewarding unique and engaging content.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Shri, a successful ecommerce brand owner who has navigated the challenges of advertising on Google after encountering roadblocks with Facebook ads. Together, they explore the exclusive Google-only approach for a new apparel brand, diving into the TPS approach for testing, profitability, and scaling of products. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Utilizing a Google-only approach for a new apparel brand due to the inability to advertise on Facebook.Implementing the TPS approach for testing, profitability, and scaling of products, segregating products based on performance.Allocating budget distribution of 80% towards cold traffic and 20% towards retargeting.Employing standard shopping and search campaigns initially due to lack of data, followed by brand awareness campaigns for quick traffic.Emphasizing demand capture and conversion using Google's display traffic and demand gen campaigns.Exploring the potential of YouTube shopping as an additional shopping placement with the potential to drive a majority of revenue, and the potential shift in ad buying experience on YouTube due to integration with Shopify.Recognizing the evolving role of Google media buyers with the addition of YouTube shorts and YouTube shopping.Shifting from a focus on technical aspects to creative aspects within Google ads, similar to the approach of Facebook ads.Today’s Guest: Shri Kanase, is an expert in Google Ads and the owner of an ecommerce brand. Shri shares his insights and expertise in navigating the challenges of advertising on Facebook by adopting a Google-only approach for a new apparel brand. He emphasizes the TPS approach for product testing, profitability, and scaling, as well as the strategic allocation of the budget towards cold traffic and retargeting. Recommended Apps/Platform:Hyros: https://hyros.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: In this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

Send us a textWe uncover the pivotal role of AI in changing the landscape for startups, with Franco sharing his insights on leveraging technology to scale businesses. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities in e-commerce, uncovering strategies to tackle abandoned checkouts and personalized customer engagement.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Franco Bonifaz explores the fascinating world of AI in marketing and its impact on revenue generation for brands. Franco shares insights into developing AI chatbots, utilizing SMS messaging, and the use of high average order value (AOV) products in e-commerce. The conversation also delves into the legalities of SMS messaging, the future of professional photography in the age of AI, and the potential impact of AI technology on the landscape of startups.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The effectiveness and reliability of GPT models like Chat GPT for understanding context and engaging with customers in e-commerce.The potential impact of voice agents such as 4o Mini and 4o on revenue generation and the use of AI voice cloning for communication with customers.The significance of email management and calendar use with products like Superhuman, recommended by the hosts for e-commerce businesses.The value of AI chatbots like Phantom for recovering abandoned carts and addressing product uncertainty or price are prominent reasons for cart abandonment.The factors affecting abandoned checkouts, including the significance of SMS messaging and the legalities associated with obtaining consent for messaging.The potential of AI is to fill the gap in providing personalized and technical sales experiences efficiently and at scale in e-commerce.The impact of AI on professional photography and the evolving landscape of business and funding with the advent of AI technology.The development of software products to improve e-commerce performance, with a focus on creating AI agents and leveraging technology to support business growth while keeping overheads low.Today’s Guest: Franco Bonifaz, he is connected to the AI and e-commerce industry, leveraging his expertise in developing a software product called Phantom.ai, an AI chatbot designed to assist Shopify store owners in recovering abandoned carts. With a background in photography and marketing, Franco's transition to owning a software company showcases his diverse skill set and strategic insight into e-commerce and AI technology. In this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend

David Dokes, co-founder of Polar Analytics and former growth expert at Turo, shares his insights on transforming e-commerce through data. He discusses the importance of a reliable data source to drive impactful decisions and revenue growth. Dokes emphasizes adapting to the evolving marketing landscape, the significance of first-party data amid privacy challenges, and the necessity of understanding market dynamics. Tune in for expert strategies on navigating e-commerce complexities and enhancing business performance using AI-driven analytics.

Send us a textThe concept of using a pop-up to offer discounts in exchange for learning about your brand's story and values is a fresh and effective approach to customer engagement.In this episode, Jordan West unveils a game-changing tool that is revolutionizing email and SMS capture for ecommerce brands. He shares his discovery of a pop-up tool called Alia, which focuses on educating customers about the brand to drive higher conversions and increased customer lifetime value. Jordan delves into the success stories of brands using Alia, emphasizing the significant impact on sales and sign-ups. He also touches on the potential of the tool for ecommerce brands and his plans to get clients on board with this innovative solution Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of innovative tools in the e-commerce space and how they can impact merchants.The introduction and endorsement of a new tool called Alia, which focuses on email and SMS capture.The impact of educating potential customers about a brand's special attributes on conversion rates and average order value.The success stories of brands, such as Urban Smokehouse, using the Alia pop-up and achieving significant increases in monthly sales and sign-ups.The suggestion to check out the Alia pop-up tool and potential benefits for e-commerce brands, along with a call-to-action to tell them that Jordan sent you.Recommended Tools/Apps:Alia Popup: https://apps.shopify.com/alia Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growIn this episode's sponsor is Omnisend - is a comprehensive marketing automation platform designed to help eCommerce businesses enhance their customer engagement and boost sales. It offers tools for email marketing, SMS campaigns, and various forms of automation, allowing businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing strategies. With features like segmentation, A/B testing, and advanced analytics, Omnisend helps brands streamline their marketing efforts and achieve better results. Learn more here: Omnisend