Ecommerce Evolution

Over 1 billion shopping experiences take place on Google alone every single day. Millions more occur across popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon.Are your products showing up on the “digital shelf” for eager shoppers? Feed marketing is the perfect blend of art and science, advertising and merchandising.Feeds power Google Shopping Ads (PMAX) and Facebook ads. They lay the foundation for eCommerce brands, enhancing all other marketing efforts and driving better results.Here is a look at what we cover: Common feed mistakes that keep your products off the digital shelf and unavailable to eager shoppers.How a sporting apparel company increased clicks by over 200% with better product titles.Optimizing your efforts as you go (based on results). Giving shoppers AND platforms (Google, Facebook, etc.) what they want so that you attract more new customers.What Dynamic Prospecting is, and how optimized feeds can fuel new customer acquisition.

Community and great brands go hand-in-hand. If you want to maximize LTV, build raving fans, stimulate referrals, and create a stable base of customers - COMMUNITY is at the center. Carlos Alvarez is a legend in the eComm and Amazon seller space. He's been a full-time seller on Amazon for 15 years. He's also in the super-elite club of 9 figure sellers.He's built the world's largest Amazon seller meetup group. It used to be fully in-person before the pandemic, but is now hybrid, allowing for greater accessibility and participation. And that's not all! He's created a community exclusively for physical product brands as well.Here's a look at what we cover:Why focusing on size alone isn't the way to build a large and thriving community.The secret sauce principle of "if everyone is invited, no one is invited."The mechanics of building an email list and how to build an engaged community from that list.How to structure an offer ladder.Tools for building community.Plus more!

Josh Hadley is a podcast host and a successful brand builder. His business Hadley Designs, just crossed 8 figures in annual sales.One key to his success is hiring manager-level talent overseas. His approach to hiring is fantastic. It's definitely one of the better ones I've seen.But that's not all! Before we dive into our discussion on hiring, we do a rapid-fire exchange of our top 6 takeaways from recent podcast episodes. Super fun and hopefully inspiring. Here's what we cover: Bonus Content: Creative problem-solving as a competitive advantage. The numbers behind successful infomercials. The metric YouTube cares about to boost your brand's YouTube channel? Hiring Content: How to get clear on WHO you should be hiring. How to measure the success or failure of a new hire before you hire them. How to create a compelling job description. How to find, attract, and retain top-level talent overseas - get Josh's full formula.

What started as a way to boost sales during slow summer months has turned into two of the largest shopping days of the year: Prime Day. More accurately, the event is 48 hours of lightning deals, promos, coupons, and shopping frenzies. Prime Day is a great way to attract new customers and gain momentum that can impact your business. But, it’s not without risk or peril. It's not uncommon for things to break or go wrong in the lead-up to Prime Day or during the event itself. In this episode, two OMG experts are joining me to talk about maximizing Prime Day sales. If you sell on Amazon, this is a MUST-watch episode. The insights are not only applicable to this Prime Day 2023 but will boost your success for future Prime Days, as well as upcoming holidays.What we cover:Pricing Strategy - Raising your prices is a no-no in Amazon’s book. Lowering prices is almost always welcomed from Amazon’s perspective but could be detrimental to your business. Here’s how you should think about pricing strategy leadi

This episode of eCommerce Evolution is one-of-a-kind!Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Matt Edmundson on his show, the eCommerce Podcast, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! We had such a great time that I couldn't resist featuring it on eCommerce Evolution as well.Matt Edmundson is an eCommerce expert and CEO at Auron Media. With over 20 years of experience, he has left a mark on the industry as both a successful business owner and a respected teacher.His podcast serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to level up their stores! So take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights on what is working now with Google and YouTube Ads.Here's a sneak peek at what we cover: Why you should consider running YouTube ads. How to use YouTube as an advertising channel. The importance of long-form content on YouTube. The differences between TikTok and YouTube advertising.The relationship between Google and YouTube ads. What Performance Max is, and how it works.Pl

Andrew Foxwell and I go way back. We recorded our first podcast together over 6 years ago!Andrew is a seasoned expert in the advertising industry and the driving force behind a remarkable Meta agency that collaborates with renowned brands like Trek.He also runs an amazing community of brand owners, agency owners and marketing professionals called Foxwell Founders. (Over 400 members strong and collectively spending 250 million plus per month on ads.)Join us as Andrew shares his invaluable insights on the ever-evolving advertising landscape.Here's a glimpse of what we cover in this episode:What creatives are working best right now on Meta and Google, and are TikTok-style ads worth testing on multiple platforms?How answering questions is essential on more platforms than just Google search.What strategies are working right now with different Meta campaign types.Why having great creatives is only valuable with proper creative testing.How to focus on what's really unique about your product in your ads.Andrew's appr

Good ads are just the beginning when it comes to growing your business. The real game-changer lies in your landing pages. They hold the key to turning visitors into loyal customers.That's why you can't afford to miss our latest podcast episode. We've brought together two absolute legends from OMG Commerce - Matt Slaymaker and Bill Cover - to discuss their favorite landing page tips and share real-life examples.With over $100 million managed annually in online advertising, we've witnessed firsthand the critical role landing pages play in conversion rates and return on ad spend. They hold the power to either make or break your ad performance, while also impacting your word-of-mouth and organic growth.Here's a look at what we cover: How landing page improvements turned a skincare brand's ad campaign from a dud to a success.What good landing pages and amazing in-store experiences have in common.The 4 C's of a good lander.5 tips for dedicated landing pages.Where to start - homepage, landing, or dedicated land

Khierstyn Ross has made a name for herself by successfully launching products and brands on Kickstarter. However, the crowdfunding landscape has significantly changed in recent years, particularly on Kickstarter. It is NOT the same world it was in 2019.While the barrier to entry for launching a successful project has become higher, it's still a good fit for many clients. In addition to helping brands on Kickstarter, Khierstyn is also a pro at helping companies grow on Amazon. She's mastered the art of launching new products and pre-sells on Amazon. Here's a look at what we cover: What products do well on Kickstarter, and what products usually flop? What kind of $ do you need to invest for a successful Kickstarter launch?When to launch a new product on Shopify vs. Kickstarter.How to build a brand on Amazon.What kind of results should you expect when launching on Kickstarter?

Liz Germain is a YouTube PRO and a repeat guest on the show! We first met when I was speaking at an eCommerce event held at the YouTube LA Offices. Liz is responsible for well over 200 million organic views on YouTube and has worked and consulted with some of the top influencers online today. Here’s a look at what we cover:The three types of content you should create on YouTube and how to approach each.How search-driven views only account for less than 10% of total watch time on the platform.The 4 phases of creating a massive following on YouTube.The metrics YouTube cares about and you should obsess over.How YouTube ads and YouTube organic do NOT mix, but how you can still leverage both for growth.

Steve is a legend in the eComm space. He is not only the store owner of Bumblebee Linens, but also the host of the highly successful marketing podcast, "My Wife Quit Her Job,” which ranks among the top 25 in its category. He has been successfully running an eComm event for 7 years, and it is one of my favorite events to attend and speak at.He’s also the author of a brand new book - The Family First Entrepreneur.His impressive combination of experiences gives him a unique perspective on eCommerce and entrepreneurship. Here is a look at what we cover: How to grow using lifecycle marketing when only 12% of your customers buy more than once.How Steve thinks about customer buckets to grow cross-sells, upsells, and repeat orders.How Steve and his team use Chat GPT4 to 10x their organic traffic.What’s the future of AI and white-collar jobs?How Steve thinks about pricing and why they no longer offer deep discounts.

Aaron Sheehan and I go way back. We first met when Aaron used to work for an agency that OMG supported.Now, Aaron is the Director of Competitive Strategy at BigCommerce. He brings a fresh perspective on the eCommerce industry, and a unique point of view on eComm platforms and the future of eComm technology.Coincidentally, his office is only a quarter of a mile from mine. In hindsight, we probably should have recorded this show in person.Here’s a look at what we cover:What is Headless, and how does it compare to Composable? Are these just buzzwords or trends that are here to stay?Aaron’s and my take on the state of eCommerce and why we see a prevailing “cautious optimism.” The eCommerce trends Aaron is most excited about and what omnichannel means today (vs. what it meant 10 years ago).When should you consider upgrading your tech stack, and where does the BigCommerce offering fit in the marketplace?

What got you here won’t get you there. What will it take to reach your next big breakthrough?Whether or not we want to admit it, we all have limiting thought patterns that create a sort of blindness, preventing us from seeing breakthroughs. I first met Will when he was the Head of Growth for Organifi. He helped grow the brand from an $18 million per year run rate to a $100 million per year run rate in short order. In today’s episode, Will Hughes wants to help you think differently. And not just a philosophical kind of thinking, but big, business-altering, breakthrough kind of thinking. Here’s a look at what we cover:The remarkable story of the Hollywood Blacklist and how we can find treasure in what others are rejecting.Using creative thinking as a competitive advantage.How to avoid being a copycat (while still paying attention to competitors).What Google vs. Yahoo can teach us as entrepreneurs. The power of reticular activators.

Online marketers can learn a LOT from direct response TV (DRTV) ads. The power of an irresistible offer.The art and science of a problem-solution ad.The appeal of a “magic product demonstration.”To name a few!This episode features Jordan Pine, a seasoned DRTV veteran who has also had success in the online marketing space. I wanted to pick his brain on how to be successful with DRTV. I’m convinced that some of the lessons he knows and that other DRTV pros know can be leveraged by online marketers. Recording this episode was an absolute BLAST! We went a full hour, and I could have easily continued for another couple. It was fun and insightful! Here’s a look at what we cover:The “Divine 7” for choosing the right product to advertise.The 10 TNT (Tried-and-True) elements of DRTV.Why the Ginsu Knife commercial belongs in the DRTV Hall of Fame.The “problem scale” and how to use it to analyze a product and the strength of a problem/solution opening.Gluing people to ceilings, running over flashlights with tanks, and o

Chris Brewer is an agency veteran, marketing expert, and former golf pro. Not to mention my business partner and OMG Commerce’s co-founder. Each year, Chris has the privilege of talking with hundreds of DTC brands, both big and small. He hears about their goals, struggles, plans, and more. As a strategist, I also consult with large-scaling eComm brands. Through our perspectives, we’d like to highlight ways in which great brands get in their own way and offer some candid advice when it comes to working with agencies.  We love the brands we talk to and the clients we serve. But, like anyone else, brands can sometimes overlook how they inadvertently hinder their own growth. Here are a few topics we cover that we hope you’ll find helpful: Having goals that aren’t battle-tested. Still thinking like it’s 2020 in some areas of your business. Prioritizing automation and tools over strategy. Shooting for perfect data and ignoring actionable data. Stopping short of getting results. When you shouldn’t hire a

Jeremy Horowitz is one of my favorite follows on LinkedIn.  He recently dropped some brilliant (and terrifying) posts about the economy, the impending debt crisis, and what DTC brands should focus on now. Jeremy and I go way back. In fact, this is our 4th podcast together over the years (he used to host a show too). Jeremy has been in the DTC SaaS space for years, having previously managed marketing for a large DTC brand. Jeremy is now the Sr. Partner Manager at Gorgias, and he and his team run the DTCX events, which have become some of my favorites to speak at and attend.  Here's a look at what we cover. Some of it's heavy, but it also speaks to the amount of opportunity on the horizon:  What keeps Jeremy up at night? A potential consumer debt crisis? More at this link. 64% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Those making over $100k per year are in the same boat. What you can learn from Liquid Death.  Understanding how and where your customers want to buy. Avoiding the discount doom loop. Ge

At one time, Charles Tichenor was a top 100 advertiser on Facebook.  On the platform, he frequently manages 7 figure budgets per DAY!  In the early days, he managed FB ads for Apple, New Balance, major automotive brands, and more. Facebook gave him test budgets ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per day to test new features and Betas. In this episode, Charles and I dig into what’s working now, what mistakes he’s seeing, and a bit of his framework for success.  Here’s a look at what we cover: How Facebook Advantage Plus ads give you an unfair advantage - and what you should do about it right now. If you want to win more customers, you have to BE your customer.  How chasing “what’s working now” with Facebook creatives is likely to make you a second-rate advertiser - and what to do instead. The AI Charles was using before Chat GPT and how you should use it. Creative ways to use Chat GPT to speed up your marketing process.  How TikTok is different from all the other platforms. How to win with TikTok or

This episode of the eCommerce Evolution podcast is truly unique.  It's not uncommon for us to talk about branding, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. But in this episode, we also discuss faith, family tragedy, chasing your dreams, and nerd out a bit on basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Steph Curry. Ashton Owens is living many kids’ dreams…but more importantly, he’s living his own. He works directly with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and other pro athletes. He runs Triple Threat - a creative agency specializing in branding and storytelling for pro athletes.  Ashton and I have a lot in common. We go to church together (how we met), share an affinity for professional basketball, lost a parent when we were teens, and experienced some fun and wild entrepreneurial journeys.  Here’s what we cover: How growing up in an entrepreneurial family and losing his father as a teenager shaped Ashton’s faith and professional accomplishments. How inviting Michael Jordan to his birthday party as a child influenced As

According to Chad Rubin, there's a lot of reckless advice from "gurus" when it comes to pricing on Amazon. Just raising your price because of inflation, might not be your optimal move. In some cases lowering your price, improving sell through, improving BSR can raise your total profits. But lowering your price could have devastating impact to your profits. So should you raise or lower your price? The short answer is - it depends. The key is to test, watch the data, and optimize. Chad Rubin recently exited Skubana, Prosper Show and his own agency. He’s now the founder of Profasee a dynamic AI repricing tool for Amazon sellers to help you maximize profits without hurting your ranking on Amazon. Here’s a look at what we cover: Prepping your business to sell and how Chad successfully exited Skubana. The fallacy of managing your Amazon ad spend to an ACoS goal. The art & science of Amazon pricing. How to price on other marketplaces so you maximize sales on amazon and preserve margin. Product assortme

In this episode, you’ll hear Rick Watson’s unfiltered hot takes on the latest changes coming from the “Big 2” in eCommerce: Shopify and Amazon. Rick Watson is an eCommerce influencer, former software CEO, and the host of The Watson Weekly podcast. Frequently speaking at large retail events like ShopTalk, NRF, and IRCE, he knows his stuff!   Here’s a look at what we cover: How Rick grew from 0 to 45,000 followers on LinkedIn in a few years (fun side notes for anyone wanting to grow their social following). The recent Shopify rate increases - people are complaining, but no one is leaving. Headless Commerce and Shopify Components - it’s new(ish), it’s sexy, and everyone is talking about it. Is it right for you? Amazon FBA changes related to IPI - this shows that Amazon is smarter than the rest of us. Buy with Prime - what is it, when does it make sense vs. when does it not?  Walmart, Target+, and the other marketplaces - should you care?  

Bear Handlon is a former Yale football player, Naval Officer, and the Co-Founder and CEO of Born Primitive, one of the hottest brands in the fitness, athleisure, and outdoor apparel space. Bear’s story is truly unique and full of valuable insights.  Bear had a simple idea, $4,000 in the bank, and was about to ship off to officer candidate school, but he decided to launch a company anyway. He parlayed the success of his initial product, custom-made compression shorts, to build a large and diverse brand with a wide array of products. Here’s a look at what we cover: When to focus vs. when to expand your product offering.  Born Primitive’s 3 keys to building a growth flywheel. How to turn mistakes into extreme customer loyalty. How getting the product right fuels everything else.  Why being face-to-face with customers is the key to product innovation and marketing.  While products can be replicated, a strong and unique “brand identity” cannot.