Secrets To Scaling Your Ecommerce Brand

Send us a textThe transformative power of cutting-edge apps designed to enhance your Shopify store's performance. Whether you're running a budding new venture or a massive brand, these tools are tailored to meet your needs.In this episode, Jordan West gets into showcasing an app that stands out for its innovative approach to loyalty and targeted marketing. After getting introduced to this app a few months ago through consulting work, I've seen firsthand its game-changing potential for Shopify stores making over $1 million. We'll explore its cutting-edge features like AI-driven gift with purchase campaigns and tailored customer offers that can elevate your brand's performance.Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Focus on Effective Apps: The episode emphasizes the importance of identifying the right apps and software to optimize eCommerce operations, especially during high-stake events like Black Friday.AI-Enabled Solutions: AI-enabled software is highlighted as a critical tool for increasing efficiency and achieving better results.Innovation in Loyalty Programs: Traditional loyalty programs are scrutinized, and the episode introduces Raylion, an app that offers a modern approach to customer loyalty using AI to predict customer behavior and tailor offers.Gift with Purchase Feature: Raylion's solution to the "gift with purchase" feature is showcased as a significant innovation, allowing stores to automate these promotions and target different audiences using AB testing.Inventory Management: Using excess inventory for promotional purposes like gifting with purchase is recommended over discounting, to avoid brand devaluation.Personalized Offers: The importance of personalized and intelligent offers is stressed, utilizing customer data to optimize sales without resorting to blanket discounts.Integration and Compatibility: The episode underlines the app's seamless integration with existing systems like Shopify and Klaviyo.Broad Applicability: The Raylion app is advocated as suitable for both small stores and massive eCommerce brands due to its scalability and effectiveness.Recommended Apps/Tools:Raleon: https://raleon.io/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Send us a textImagine the confidence you'll gain by making informed, forward-looking decisions and forecasting with accuracy using machine learning. We discuss the shift from granular metrics to a grander perspective that focuses on your marketing efficiency ratio—knowledge that can keep your brand ahead of the curve.In this episode, Jordan West with guest Michael Churm, the co-founder and CEO of Prescient AI. Michael brings his rich tech experience from Oracle, IBM, and App Annie to share how Prescient AI is revolutionizing marketing measurement. We explore the transformative impact of AI in navigating post-iOS 14.5 challenges, the role of multi-touch attribution, and the importance of understanding ad spend's impact on revenue. Listen and learn in this episode!Key takeaways from this episode:Adaptation to Modern Challenges: Prescient AI offers cookie-free analytics, updating marketing mix models to tackle privacy changes like iOS 14.5.AI’s Role: AI helps solve measurement issues and tracks ad spend impact across channels for a comprehensive marketing view.AOV’s Impact: Average Order Value affects ad attribution, with platforms like TikTok and Pinterest creating halo effects, complicating immediate measurement.Multi-Platform Strategy: Scaling brands should diversify media beyond Meta and Google to include CTV, podcasts, and TikTok Shop.Evolving Attribution Models: Machine learning-driven models offer dynamic, daily insights, improving on traditional infrequent models.Beyond ROAS: Jordan West argues advanced tools provide deeper insights than ROAS, especially for brands with larger ad budgets.TikTok Attribution: TikTok Shop enhances attribution, but high AOV items remain challenging due to longer decision cycles.Calls to Action: Michael Churm urges brands to consult with analytics vendors for scaling and emphasizes selecting the right partner.Today’s Guest: Michael True, the co-founder and CEO of Prescient AI. With a tech background honed at major companies like Oracle, IBM (on the Watson team), and App Annie, Michael brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is an expert in marketing analytics, specifically leveraging artificial intelligence to solve complex measurement challenges without relying on cookies or pixels.Recommended Apps/Tools:Prescient AI: https://prescientai.com/ Triple Whale: https://www.triplewhale.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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 strategies for e-commerce brands. As an expert in the e-commerce landscape, Raul Galera shares insightful perspectives on marketing trends, the evolving role of agencies, and consumer behaviors, particularly focusing on how agencies can provide comprehensive industry insights. Recommended Apps/Tools:Referral Candy: https://www.referralcandy.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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, and managing high-growth organizations. Recommended Apps/Tools:Cin7: https://www.cin7.com/ Netsuite: https://www.netsuite.com/ Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/  Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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 interest in finance and an MBA to becoming a seasoned professional in SEO and affiliate marketing. He has managed extensive content operations, producing 300-400 articles monthly at his peak, and now leverages his substantial experience to help ecommerce brands build long-term content strategies through blogging and keyword optimization.Recommended Apps/Tools:Semrush: https://www.semrush.com/Ahrefs: https://ahrefs.com/Upstackified: https://www.upstackified.com/Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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 young age of 14. With a robust background that includes managing significant sales for a leading firearm accessory brand and working closely with notable industry figures like Taylor Holiday, Grayson is adept at helping businesses scale and achieve substantial exits, particularly through effective cash flow management and lean operational strategies.Recommended Apps/Tools:Portless: https://www.portless.com/ Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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. Recommended Tools/Platform:PHNTM AI: https://phntmai.com/ Superhuman AI: https://superhuman.com/ Chatgpt: https://openai.com/index/chatgpt/ Riverside: https://riverside.fm/transcription Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/growMillion Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow