Product Powerup: Recent Episodes
Product Powerup
Whether you're just starting out with an idea for a product, or you are years into your business and looking to take it to the next level, we are here to help you get to the next level. From marketing to operations and product design to management, we'll cover it all! We interview founders and operators of successful brands, giving you actionable, up-to-date information that you can quickly apply into your business. Now, let's powerup!
Summary
In this episode, Russell talks with Erik Huberman, CEO and founder of Hawk Media, about the current state of marketing and the role of AI in the industry. Erik shares his background in e-commerce and how he built Hawk Media into a successful marketing agency. He emphasizes the importance of delivering on promises and executing marketing strategies effectively. Erik also discusses the work-life harmony he has created by incorporating his personal interests and experiences into his business. He explains how Hawk Media leverages AI to improve efficiency and maximize output. In this conversation, Erik Huberman discusses the use of AI in marketing and how it has revolutionized the industry. He explains how his company, Hawk Media, uses AI to analyze marketing data and provide valuable insights to clients. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic marketing strategy and the need to focus on building trust and nurturing customer relationships. Huberman also predicts that AI will continue to shape the future of marketing, particularly in content creation. He advises entrepreneurs to look for opportunities to innovate in established markets that have not seen much change.
Takeaways
Delivering on promises and executing marketing strategies effectively is crucial for building a good reputation as a marketing agency.
Creating a work-life harmony, where personal interests and experiences are incorporated into the business, can lead to greater satisfaction and success.
AI can be leveraged to improve efficiency and maximize output in marketing by automating tasks and providing valuable insights.
Access to data and the ability to analyze and interpret it are key advantages in the marketing industry.
Building a strong team of high-quality individuals and providing opportunities for growth and success can lead to better results and higher revenue. AI has revolutionized the marketing industry by providing valuable insights and analysis of marketing data.
A holistic marketing strategy that focuses on building trust and nurturing customer relationships is crucial for long-term success.
AI will continue to shape the future of marketing, particularly in content creation.
Entrepreneurs should look for opportunities to innovate in established markets that have not seen much change.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Erik Huberman
02:02 Delivering on Promises and Executing Effective Marketing Strategies
05:29 Creating Work-Life Harmony for a Fulfilling Entrepreneurial Journey
09:16 The Role of AI in Revolutionizing Marketing
14:59 Leveraging Data and Insights for Automated Marketing Strategies
22:02 Harnessing the Power of AI in Marketing
29:16 Innovation in Established Categories
35:25 The Future of AI in Content Creation
37:29 The Slow Adoption of AI in Marketing
39:15 Building Trust and Nurturing Customer Relationships
Summary
Jane and Boris from The Goodfor Company discuss their passion for water filtration and the importance of clean water. They share their journey from the plumbing industry to e-commerce and their unique approach to educating customers about water treatment. They also talk about the challenges and benefits of working as a couple in business and their goals for the future. The Goodfor Company aims to build a national brand and expand into franchising. They emphasize the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive and knowledgeable people in the entrepreneurial journey.
Takeaways
Clean water is essential for health and wellness, and water treatment is often an underrated aspect of home appliances.
Educating customers about the importance of water filtration can be a powerful marketing strategy.
Working as a couple in business requires trust, respect, and clear communication.
Surrounding yourself with supportive and knowledgeable people can help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to The Goodfor Company
01:14 Passion for Water Filtration
05:02 Educational Approach to Water Filtration
06:12 The Impact of Water on Health and Wellness
07:07 Transition from Plumbing to E-commerce
08:22 Working as a Couple in Business
09:47 Dividing Workload and Maintaining a Healthy Relationship
13:46 Goals for The Goodfor Company
23:16 Tools and Resources for Business Growth
26:31 Starting a New Business and Advice for Entrepreneurs
32:16 Passion for Water Filtration and Future Plans
Summary
In this conversation, Jake shares his experience of acquiring a smoke bomb business called Shutterbombs. He discusses his background in marketing and how he transitioned into entrepreneurship. Jake also talks about the challenges of shipping hazmat products and the due diligence process involved in acquiring a business. Additionally, he shares advice for aspiring business buyers and highlights the importance of self-motivation and continuous learning. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Jake's expertise in credit card point reward systems and how you can capitalize on the same benefits as a business owner.
To connect with Jake check out his website www.jakeofalltradez.biz
Takeaways
Jake acquired a smoke bomb business called Shutter Bombs and discusses the challenges of shipping hazmat products.
He emphasizes the importance of self-motivation and continuous learning in entrepreneurship.
Jake shares insights into the due diligence process involved in acquiring a business.
He offers advice for aspiring business buyers and highlights the benefits of approaching acquisitions with a balanced perspective.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:23 Working from Home and Freelancing
03:15 Self-Taught Learning and Curiosity
04:14 Acquiring Shutterbomb
05:35 Interest in Shutterbomb and Product Knowledge
06:44 Introverted Nature of E-commerce Marketers
07:26 Passion vs. Data-Driven Decision Making
08:08 Finding a Business to Buy
09:36 Acquisition Strategies and Financing
12:43 Negotiations and Acquisition Process
19:22 Due Diligence and Verification
20:06 Analyzing the Red Flags
21:34 Addressing Shipping Challenges
22:03 Researching Competitors
23:20 Dealing with Hazmat Shipping
24:20 Customer Support Challenges
25:21 Sorting Facilities and Package Handling
26:00 Tips for Buying a Business
27:28 Staying Curious and Patient
29:14 Using Credit Card Points
Summary
In this episode, Alex Vailas, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing at Dyper, shares insights on how Dyper stands out in a competitive market dominated by big brands. She discusses the importance of storytelling and how Dyper focuses on the future of children and the planet. Alex also talks about their innovative marketing strategies, including their Dyper card and re-diaper programs. She emphasizes the need for brands to think outside the box and challenge the status quo to make a real impact. In this conversation, Alex Vailas discusses the importance of authenticity and honesty in marketing, particularly in the e-commerce space. She emphasizes the need for transparency and straightforwardness in product information, as consumers have become tired of manipulation and gimmicky marketing tactics. Trust is a crucial factor in building a successful brand, and independent certifications can help establish credibility. We also touch on the pitfalls of clickbait and manipulative marketing strategies. Overall, the key takeaway is that consumers deserve the truth and the best care, especially when it comes to products for vulnerable individuals like babies.
Takeaways
In a competitive market, it's important for brands to find unique ways to stand out and differentiate themselves.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with consumers and creating a strong brand identity.
Innovation and thinking outside the box can lead to new and impactful marketing strategies.
Focusing on the future and addressing sustainability concerns can resonate with consumers and set a brand apart.
The full customer experience, from product to mission, can make a lasting impression and build brand loyalty. Authenticity and honesty are crucial in marketing, particularly in the e-commerce space.
Transparency and straightforwardness in product information are important to consumers.
Trust is a key factor in building a successful brand.
Clickbait and manipulative marketing strategies are not sustainable in the long term.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:16 Transition to Brand Side
05:49 Joining Diaper and Brand Side Experience
08:23 Standing Out in a Competitive Market
11:50 Innovative Marketing Strategies
16:46 Telling the Diaper Story
20:44 Acquisition Strategy and Channels
25:35 Innovation and Full Circle Experience
32:15 The Importance of Storytelling
34:53 Authenticity and Manipulation in Marketing
36:01 The Importance of Honesty and Trust in Branding
37:00 The Pitfalls of Clickbait and Manipulative Marketing
37:29 Wrap-up and Where to Find Alex Vailas
Summary
In this episode, Russell and Emerson chat with Irene Scharmack, CEO of Quick Box Fulfillment, about the changes in the fulfillment industry since COVID-19. Irene discusses the challenges faced during the pandemic, including labor shortages and carrier capacity issues. She also highlights the opportunities in the warehouse space and the benefits of zone skipping. Irene emphasizes the importance of choosing the right warehouse management system and building trust and transparency with clients. She shares her vision for a gender neutral cosmetics brand and provides contact information for Quick Box Fulfillment.
Takeaways
The fulfillment industry faced numerous challenges during COVID-19, including labor shortages and carrier capacity issues.
Opportunities in the warehouse space have emerged, with strategic location and zone skipping offering cost and time-saving benefits.
Choosing the right warehouse management system is crucial for efficient operations.
Building trust and transparency with clients is essential for a successful partnership.
Considerations for brands in warehouse selection include system capabilities, team alignment, and trustworthiness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Quick Box Fulfillment
01:06 Impact of COVID-19 on the Fulfillment Industry
03:15 Challenges Faced During COVID-19
05:37 Opportunities and Challenges in the Warehouse Space
06:02 Adapting to Changes in the Logistics Space
08:42 Strategic Location of Warehouses
10:09 Zone Skipping and its Benefits
12:50 Choosing the Right Warehouse Management System
17:00 Building Trust and Transparency with Clients
22:15 Key Considerations for Brands in Warehouse Selection
25:19 Top Three Things for Brands to Look for in a Warehouse
28:45 Irene's Vision for a Gender Neutral Cosmetics Brand
30:00 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Summary
In this episode, Will Haire, co-founder of BellaVix, shares his expertise on becoming profitable on Amazon using PPC and DSP advertising strategies. He explains the difference between PPC (pay per click) and DSP (demand side platform) advertising and how they can be used to target different stages of the customer journey. Will also discusses the importance of mitigating cannibalization when selling on Amazon and provides tips for brands looking to scale their advertising efforts. He emphasizes the role of branding on Amazon and the impact it can have on advertising success. Finally, Will shares his thoughts on starting an e-commerce business on Amazon and offers personal business ideas.
Takeaways
PPC (pay per click) advertising on Amazon targets bottom-of-the-funnel traffic, while DSP (demand side platform) advertising focuses on programmatic advertising and building audiences using Amazon's data.
To mitigate cannibalization when selling on Amazon, exclude existing customers from advertising campaigns and focus on new-to-brand customers.
A full-funnel advertising strategy is crucial for long-term success on Amazon, combining PPC and DSP to target customers at different stages of the customer journey.
Branding plays a role in advertising success on Amazon, with strong brands benefiting from lower cost per acquisition and higher brand awareness.
When starting an e-commerce business on Amazon, a minimum ad spend of $1000 to $1500 per parent product is recommended, and it may take 12 to 18 months to see significant organic sales.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:21 Understanding PPC and DSP
03:03 Mitigating Cannibalization on Amazon
07:19 Top Tips for Advertising on Amazon
10:36 The Importance of Full Funnel Strategy
14:17 The Role of Branding on Amazon
18:28 Minimum Ad Spend and Timeline for Success
25:16 The Impact of Dropshipping on Amazon
26:07 The Importance of Brand on Amazon
31:53 Starting an E-commerce Business on Amazon
33:17 Personal Business Ideas
35:27 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Summary
In this episode, Russell and Emerson discuss the future of UPS and its focus on returns. They start by sharing their spicy takes on UPS and its reputation. They then dive into the volume of Amazon returns at UPS and the impact of the Teamsters Union strike. They also analyze UPS's stock performance and earnings, including the layoffs and cost pressures the company is facing. The conversation shifts to UPS's acquisition of Happy Returns and the potential it holds for the company. They explore the challenges and opportunities of reverse logistics for UPS and discuss the efficiency and cost savings associated with it.
Takeaways
UPS is heavily involved in processing Amazon returns, with over 90% of their business being returns-related.
UPS has faced challenges in its stock performance and earnings, including the impact of the Teamsters Union strike.
The acquisition of Happy Returns allows UPS to expand its presence in the returns market and optimize its reverse logistics processes.
UPS has the opportunity to corner the returns market and differentiate itself from competitors like FedEx and Amazon.
Efficiency and cost savings can be achieved through consolidating returns and leveraging existing infrastructure.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Spicy Takes on UPS
01:11 The Volume of Amazon Returns at UPS
04:04 UPS Stock Performance and the Teamsters Union Strike
06:36 UPS Earnings and Profit Margins
08:45 Layoffs and Cost Pressures at UPS
11:29 UPS Acquires Happy Returns
16:06 UPS's Strategy with Happy Returns
18:09 The Tech and Real Estate Challenges for UPS
21:30 The Potential of Reverse Logistics for UPS
24:20 Efficiency and Cost Savings with Happy Returns
25:37 Considerations for Shipping Rates and Contracts
26:04 Conclusion
SummaryIn this episode, Russell and Emerson interview Josh Taylor from Shipware, a cost reduction company specializing in shipping. They discuss the complexity of shipping rates, when brands should consider breaking off from 3PL rates, negotiating 3PL contracts, balancing shipping costs, the impact of the UPS strike and USPS, expectations for 2024, and low-hanging fruit practices during GRI season. In this conversation, Josh Taylor discusses various aspects of the supply chain and the shipping industry. The conversation covers the profitability of complexity, the ever-changing landscape of the shipping industry, and the importance of avoiding the use of declared value. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in the shipping industry.
TakeawaysUnderstanding the complexity of shipping rates is crucial for brands to optimize their shipping costs.
Brands should evaluate their shipping profile to determine if they should break off from 3PL rates and negotiate their own rates directly with carriers.
Auditing shipping invoices and understanding surcharges can help brands identify potential cost savings.
The shipping landscape is evolving, with more regional carriers and innovative solutions emerging.
During GRI season, brands should review their shipping contracts and negotiate discounts on surcharges like fuel surcharge.
Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background
03:23 The Complexity of Shipping Rates
08:23 When to Break Off from 3PL Rates
15:17 Negotiating 3PL Contracts
19:16 Balancing Shipping Costs
25:41 Impact of UPS Strike and USPS
31:01 Expectations for 2024
35:08 GRI Season and Low-Hanging Fruit Practices
40:42 Profit in Complexity
41:00 The Ever-Changing Landscape of the Shipping Industry
41:30 Avoid Using Declared Value
Summary
Joe Spisak, CEO of fulfill.com, discusses the world of 3PLs (third-party logistics) and the challenges and benefits of working with them. He shares his own experience starting a 3PL company and the importance of branding and differentiation in the industry. Joe explains when brands should consider transitioning to a 3PL and the factors to consider when choosing the right partner. He also emphasizes the importance of transparency and communication in maintaining a successful brand-3PL relationship. Joe provides insights into the vetting process for 3PLs and recommends WMS (warehouse management system) options for efficient fulfillment operations.
To connect with Joe and even get a free recommendation for the 3PL that best fits your brand visit fulfill.com.
Takeaways
- Consider transitioning to a 3PL when your brand reaches a couple hundred orders per month and you want to focus on scaling and growing your business.
- When choosing a 3PL, look for one that has experience shipping for brands similar to yours and offers real-time communication and support.
- Transparency and communication are key to maintaining a successful brand-3PL relationship. Provide forecasts, communicate sales events, and share your returns processes to ensure smooth operations.
- Smaller, niche 3PLs can offer more personalized and hands-on service compared to larger enterprise 3PLs. Consider working with boutique fulfillment providers for a better fit.
- Recommended WMS options for 3PLs include Shiphero, Packiyo, Logiwa, Luminous, and Deposco.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:14 Starting a 3PL Company
02:33 Branding and Differentiation
03:38 Making Supply Chain Sexy
05:04 Pain Points with 3PLs
07:31 When to Consider a 3PL
09:08 Transitioning to Self-Fulfillment
10:34 Choosing the Right 3PL
13:00 Challenges of Doing Your Own Fulfillment
14:25 Matching Brands with 3PLs
16:51 Vetting Criteria for 3PLs
19:00 Importance of Niche 3PLs
20:29 Churn Rate and Switching Warehouses
21:43 Improving Brand-3PL Relationships
23:27 Transparency and Communication
27:44 Recommended WMS for 3PLs
31:27 Connect with fulfill.com
Summary
In this episode, Russell and Emerson discuss the transition from discount brands to premium brands in the ecommerce industry. They explore the concept of discount brands and premium brands, and the factors that determine whether a brand can go premium. They also discuss the knee-jerk reaction of offering discounts to increase sales and the challenges of transitioning to a premium brand. The episode concludes with a formula for going from discount to premium and the importance of providing a premium experience to customers.
Takeaways
There is a place for both discount brands and premium brands in the ecommerce industry.
When deciding whether to buy premium or discount, consider the value and quality of the product, as well as the frequency of use.
Transitioning from a discount brand to a premium brand takes time, effort, and a focus on providing a premium experience.
Customers can be retrained to not expect discounts through consistent branding and messaging.
To successfully go from discount to premium, brands must differentiate themselves, set expectations, and provide a high-quality product and customer experience.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:46 From Discount Brands to Premium Brands
03:22 The Place for Both Discount and Premium Brands
06:10 When to Buy Premium
09:07 When to Buy Discount
13:28 The Knee-Jerk Reaction to Increase Sales
16:30 Transitioning from Discount to Premium
20:54 Retraining Customers to Not Expect Discounts
25:32 The Formula for Going from Discount to Premium
29:46 Putting in the Work and Providing a Premium Experience
32:23 Conclusion
Summary
In this episode, Russell and Emerson discuss their experiences and observations from Black Friday and Cyber Monday. They talk about their discounting strategies, the effectiveness of plain text emails, and the importance of targeted follow-ups. They also discuss marketing tactics and the winner of Black Friday. They conclude by highlighting Shopify's success and the peak sales time during the weekend.
Takeaways
Discounting strategies should be carefully planned to avoid customer dissatisfaction and price matching requests.
Plain text emails can be more effective than image-heavy emails, and targeted follow-ups can lead to higher click-through rates.
Brands should consider selling on multiple channels, such as Amazon and their own website, to reach a wider audience.
Shopify had a successful Black Friday, with peak sales per minute reaching $4.2 million.
Keeping track of industry trends and learning from past experiences can help improve future Black Friday strategies.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Black Friday Recap
03:00 Discounting Strategies and Sales Tactics
08:25 The Effectiveness of Plain Text Emails
12:07 The Importance of Targeted Follow-ups
15:10 Observations on Marketing Tactics
18:25 The Winner of Black Friday
20:51 Shopify's Success
21:38 Peak Sales Time and Conclusion
Summary
In this episode, Russell and Emerson discuss the differences between Shopify and WooCommerce as e-commerce platforms. They start by recapping Black Friday and the success of Shopify during the holiday season. They then dive into the pros and cons of both platforms, highlighting Shopify's ease of use, dedicated support, and seamless integrations, while noting WooCommerce's flexibility and lower costs. Ultimately, they recommend Shopify for e-commerce businesses due to its user-friendly interface and time-saving features. They also touch on the culture and mindset differences between Shopify and WordPress users.
Takeaways
- Shopify is recommended for e-commerce businesses due to its ease of use, dedicated support, and seamless integrations.
- WooCommerce is more flexible and customizable, making it a good choice for specific needs and SEO optimization.
- Shopify handles technical aspects like web hosting, while WooCommerce requires finding your own hosting.
- Shopify's plugin infrastructure is more centralized and rigorously approved, while WooCommerce offers more free plugins.
- WordPress and WooCommerce are more suitable for informational websites or testing the market before launching a full e-commerce store.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Black Friday Recap
05:49 Shopify vs. WooCommerce
07:39 WordPress and WooCommerce Relationship
09:48 Pros of Shopify
13:36 Pros of WordPress and WooCommerce
19:05 Cons of Shopify
21:27 Cons of WordPress and WooCommerce
22:34 Conclusion
Did you know that 1 in 20 orders fail delivery on the first attempt?! Or that at least 2-3% of orders aren't delivered on time, no matter which carrier? This means a significant portion of your customers are going to have shipping issues or questions! Today we are talking about how to handle those issues and give your customer the best experience possible!
Here are some of the things we discuss:
- Have a great help desk process
- Have an easy to use branded tracking page
- Use a shipping method that has tracking
- Use Shopify's new shipment tracking tabs functionality.
Emerson dives into 5 ways you can reduce your customer service emails and even drops a little nugget that we'll call the McShipping Secret.
Focusing on a tool in each category you can reduce your CX tickets by up to 50% or more!
- Address Validation - Address Validator Plus
- Post purchase order editing - Orderify
- FAQ or Knowledge base Section - Gorgias or Helpscout
- Automating Returns and Exchanges process - CREW by Corso
- Shipping protection/insurance - Green Shipping Protection by Corso
- Tracking page with updates - Malomo or Wonderment
If you have any thoughts on this topic, or if we missed any amazing apps, let us know on LinkedIn:
Russell Steed
Emerson Hammer
We're big fans of Shopify here and after a recent consulting call that Russell had we decided to make a list of our top five marketing apps for Shopify.
We're going to give you our list of 5 apps, but in reality this is more of a list of 5 categories of marketing apps. You don't have to use the ones we recommend, but something that gets the job done will go a long way with your marketing.
- Email Marketing - Klaviyo or Sendlane
- SMS Marketing - Postscript
- Upsells - Rebuy
- Onsite Popups (list growth) - Amped.io
- Reporting - Triple Whale Founders Dash
If you have any thoughts on this topic, or if we missed any amazing apps, let us know on LinkedIn:
Russell Steed
Emerson Hammer
There are infinite ways to create holiday and Black Friday Cyber Monday sales. In this episode Russell shares everything he's learned from a decade of running BFCM sales.
Top points include breaking the sales period into 3, leading with your biggest offer, how many times you should be emailing on specific days during the holiday sale rush, and so much more!
If you have something to add to this conversation, let us know on LinkedIn:
Russell Steed
Emerson Hammer
You may have your sales for the holidays all planned out, but are your operations all buttoned up and ready to roll?
Emerson shares his 4 part checklist for preparing your ecommerce operations for the holiday order rush!
- Preparing your carriers
- Getting your warehouse ready
- Updating your published policies
- Working with tech partners to make sure everything goes smoothly
You can download the entire checklist here.
We'd love to connect with you on LinkedIn!
Russell Steed
Emerson Hammer
This is just a quick episode letting you know that after a little bit of a break, we are going to be rebranding the podcast to highlight our new and improved focus of helping ecommerce professionals just like you.
After dropping out of high school in 11th grade, and moving to Israel for 7 years, Judah found himself hustling to make ends meet. He was a natural born hustler, finding used items and selling them on Amazon. Judah takes us through his Entrepreneurial journey of how he founded and scaled a booming baby products brand called Jool Baby.
Judah now sells dozens of baby products on his own webiste, Amazon, and in retail stores such as Walmart and Target. His story is motivation and a great case-study of how hustling can create a multi-million dollar brand.
There comes a time in every direct to consumer brand's lifetime where they are spending on Facebook ads, Google Ads, Display ads, and feel somewhat tapped out on those channels. Even though the barrier to entry on digital PPC is so low and highly scalable, diversifying a advertising strategy is the best way to scale and future-proof a rapidly growing business. Direct mail is making a comeback in the advertising space and it is proving to be even more effective than most digitally native brands originally thought. In this episode we go into detail on what direct mail looks like for a D2C company. From what the minimum spend looks like to what different kind of campaigns perform well, we talk about different strategies that a brand can employ to effectively scale a direct mail advertising campaign. To learn more about Megan and Labyrinth Digital you can go to https://labyrinth.digital/.
Wyatt Moss is an ex-Google employee. From his time working at Google he learned what worked and what didn't when it came to advertising on Google. Fast forward a few years and now Wyatt personally manages the strategy and execution of millions of dollars in monthly ad-spend. Wyatt uses his insider knowledge and decade of experience to optimize digital advertising spend for his clients. We dive into utilizing google ads in your business, when it makes sense, when it doesn't. We also chat about when you should use an agency or not. Paid advertising can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to all the functionality that google ads provides. We talk about some of those intricacies and how to increase your ROAS. If you're interested in reaching out to Wyatt about his services, you can reach him through his website https://www.mossdigitalstrategies.com/.
Jeff Oxford is a specialist in eCommerce search engine optimization. He walks us through the newest as well as the time tested techniques in SEO. Obviously he does this all day everyday and would love to have more clients to work with, but Jeff also drops some truth bombs on how a small startup business can start getting SEO traction without breaking the bank on hiring an agency. We talk with Jeff about a few key things that any brand can implement in order to start ranking well for their desired keywords. He even tells us how to effectively vet a new agency to make sure they are a good one (because we all know there are more mediocre ones than actual good ones!) Search engine optimization is a zero sum game, so it will always have to play a role in your marketing efforts even if you pull back on it for a year or two. Your competitors are most likely coming after your position so don't get lazy with your SEO game! To contact Jeff just go to his website 180marketing.com.
With all the supply chain issues we've experienced over the past 2 years with no end in sight, many brands are looking to alternatives to manufacturing in Asia. The obvious answer for manufacturing in North America is Mexico. Jorge Arana is an experienced Mexican businessman who has started and operated many different businesses within Mexico and the US. He takes us through different options that brands have when looking to move manufacturing or just second sourcing in Mexico. There are even industries and products that he doesn't recommend trying to manufacture in Mexico due to government regulations and tariffs. We discuss when it makes sense to make the move to Mexico and when it doesn't. In the end, Mexico is a viable solution for manufacturing many types of products. With labor rates similar to China and shipping times of only a few days (instead of months) to the US, Mexico is becoming a larger player in the manufacturing world. For more information on nearshoring visit https://viastara.com/solutions (https://viastara.com/solutions) or to contact Jorge via email at jorgearana@viastara.com.
Hunter Stutz, from Pitted Labs, talks to us today about the ins and outs of walmart.com. Pitted labs started out as an amazon agency and has expanded into multiple different channels including a fulfillment center and VC firm. One of their most unique expertise is on taking brands who sell on Amazon and expanding their reach to Walmart.com Hunter dives into how Walmart.com compares to Amazon, why a brand would want to sell on Walmart.com, how to be successful on Walmart.com, and what expectations they should have while selling on Walmart.com. Spoiler alert, it won't be as big as Amazon, at least not yet, but as an early adopter your brand will be able to capture traction on Walmart.com before it really takes off. If you are interested in talking with Hunter and Pitted labs, please visit their https://pittedlabs.com/ (website here).
Gabe is a master at driving traffic through many paid advertising channels such as Facebook ads, Google ads, influencer marketing and more. Most of his experience has been in driving sales for direct to consumer eCommerce brands. He recently moved into the fintech Saas world, where he is able to take the principles of marketing a physical into a service based software business. Gabe walks us through how he builds his frameworks, or funnels, and how building a strong foundation of touch points with your traffic works no matter the industry or product. Connect with https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielsdias/ (Gabe on Linkedin).
Amazon is a beast, but it's becoming even more important to sell your product on their platform. In this episode we discuss what it takes to sell on Amazon, why you should or shouldn't sell on Amazon, and who you should hire to help you do it. Josh is the founder of a top tier Amazon consulting agency and shares all of his expertise on how to approach Amazon as an existing brand or as a new product. Just like it's become necessary to have a social media presence (if you're not on facebook or instagram, do you even exist?!) the same thing is happening with Amazon. In order to keep and find new customers Amazon can be a part of a solid marketing and sales strategy. But just being on Amazon isn't enough, there are so many intricacies of the platform that you want to make sure you approach it in the right way. There are agencies built to help you do that, or you can tackle it yourself by hiring someone in house to manage it. No matter how you approach Amazon, this episode will give you perspective to make those hard decisions. If you're more interested in what Josh does or connecting with him, follow him on https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrawe/ (linkedin here).
As your product goes from idea to international best-seller you'll go through various growth stages. Working with a third party logistics (3PL) company can really help you go from a basement operation to a full-fledged business. However, working with a 3PL comes with its own issues and isn't right for every brand, in this episode we get into all those details. You'll hear how Braden first took the plunge into the 3PL world and how him and his partners have turned their 3PL into a thriving business. We also talk about what the brand/3PL relationship looks like from the warehouse side, giving perspective to brand owners and operators. We go over when you should rely on a 3PL and when you shouldn't, what kind of different 3PLs are out there, and how to pick the right one for you. This episode will broaden your perspective on working with the warehousing world. For more information about launch fulfillment you can check out their https://launchfulfillment.com/ (website here )
It's no secret that return rates just come with operating a product based eCommerce business, but how much time and effort do you put into making sure your return policy is a great marketing tool? 67% of customers check the return policy before purchasing and 92% will buy from you again if the returns process is easy. It's time to use the power of returns to increase your sales and promote customer loyalty. In this episode we will get into how to craft a solid return policy, why you should make returns easy for your customers, how to promote exchanges instead of returns, and how to automate the entire process. Statistics mentioned in this episode: 92% of consumers will buy something again if returns are easy 67 % of customer check the return policy before check out 30% of all online orders are returned
Returns platforms we talk about in this episode: Return Magic- Bare bones return policy and cheap Loop Returns, Returnly - High end and branded solutions Klaim Easy - New player in the high end branded returns space Happy Returns, Doddle, Narvar - In store returns
Contact us at podcast@productpowerup.com
From Target to Home Depot, Eric Child has over 16 years of experience in creating products and selling them direct to consumer and through big box retailers. In this interview we dive into when it makes sense to take a product into retail, how to work with the big dogs, mono-branded vs. big box, is the retail industry dying, and so much more!
SMS marketing is a relatively new marketing channel and many brands have yet to jump in. In this episode we will talk through where SMS marketing is currently at, where it's going, and how you can start taking advantage of it's amazing benefits today! https://www.postscript.io/sms-benchmarks/ (SMS Benchmarks) Platforms we talked about today: https://www.postscript.io/ (Postscript) https://emotive.io/ (Emotive) https://www.attentivemobile.com/ (Attentive) https://www.klaviyo.com/ (Klaviyo) Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment below!
We're excited to launch the Product Powerup Podcast! Product Powerup was created back in 2017 with the vision to give product based businesses a forum to learn, grow, and share. After many successful events in Salt Lake City, Utah, we are now expanding that expertise and vision to larger audiences. In this episode we introduce the hosts, Emerson Hammer and Russell Steed, as well as the vision and purpose of the Product Powerup Podcast. Thank you for joining us! We're excited to see what the future brings!