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The Ecomcrew Ecommerce Podcast

An eCommerce podcast for store owners, hosted by 7-figure store owners Mike Jackness and Dave Bryant. We cover everything in eCommerce from Shopify, to Amazon FBA. From email marketing, to Facebook Ads. Never before has there been a podcast with store owners who are so candid. Subscribe to the Ecomcrew podcast today!
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Now displaying: Page 2
Oct 16, 2023

Check out our sponsor, Portless, today! 

 

In this episode, Mike's joined by Greg Mercer to talk about how Amazon will change in the face of AI, JungleScout's new AI features and how these apply to sellers on the daily.

 

Greg Mercer, the CEO of JungleScout, is back on the podcast to talk about AI and how sellers can use JS' new AI features to fix the leaks, so to speak. We also talk about how AI can level the playing field, and how Amazon hides a lot of useful data that AI can unravel.

 

If you're curious about the latest developments in the software space, or for practical advice for beating the competition, this episode is for you!

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 00:40 - AI in Ecommerce and Junglescout 
  • 03:12 - Leveling the Playing Field on Copywriting and Data Analysis 
  • 05:30 - Junglescout's New AI Features 
  • 11:24 - Real-Life Applications for Junglescout's AI Features 
  • 14:21 - Amazon's Hiding A Lot of Useful Data
  • 17:33 - Tools are The New Way to Obtain The Competitive Advantage 
  • 22:59 - "What should I be working on in my ecommerce business?"
  • 27:23 - JungleScout's Roadmap for the Future 
  • 32:06 - How will things change for customers on Amazon?

 

Thank you again to Greg Mercer for coming on the show. It's always a blast to have him on.

 

If you're interested in signing up for JungleScout, I highly recommend you do so by checking them out here [affiliate link].

 

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

 

Until next time, happy selling! 

Oct 9, 2023

Check out our sponsor, Portless, today!

 

Chad Rubin is back on the podcast! He's an Amazon Seller of over 20 years, the ex-CEO of SKUBANA before it was acquired in 2021, one of the original founders of the Prosper Show conference. 

 

Chad is back to talk about Profasee, one of his latest ventures into the software space, that aims to reclaim profit margins without affecting your Amazon BSR, or your product ranking. 

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 03:03 – Chad Rubin's ecommerce background
  • 05:55 – Why Increasing Prices on Amazon Can Be A Great Option
  • 10:57 – How Mike Tried to Increase Prices
  • 12:53 – How Profasee Works
  • 16:40 – What data does Profasee prioritise for success?
  • 19:01 – Real life examples of Profasee's results
  • 30:12 – Affiliate Offer for Profasee

 

Chad, thank you again for coming on again to the podcast and dropping value bombs as always. 

 

If you're interested in Profasee, I highly recommend you do so by checking out this link. If you want to hear more of Chad's value bombs, follow him on his LinkedIn.

 

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

Oct 2, 2023

Mina Elias joins the Ecomcrew Podcast to drop some value bombs -- from optimizing your click-through rate to experimenting with price increases, this is one you won't want to miss. 

Today we're joined by friend and fellow speaker, Mina Elias of Trivium Group. 

Mina and I met doing the usual speaking rounds at several events and I've always felt like Mina knew how to walk the walk. 

Mina is back on the podcast to drop some Value Bombs. From deconstructing the Amazon Funnel, to finding profit leaks in your business, Mina's advice is definitely not one to miss. 

Timestamps: 

  • 0:00 - Introduction 
  • 1:30 - Background on Mina Elias 
  • 4:46 - Value Bomb #1 - Breaking Down the Amazon Funnel 
  • 7:00 - Squeezing out Click-Through Rate 
  • 12:37 - Meetup at Hong Kong 
  • 13:40 - Value Bomb #2 - Raising Conversion Rates
  • 15:09 - Optimizing Your Main Image to Increase Click-Through Rate
  • 18:00 - Sneak Peek Into Next Week's Episode - Profasee with Chad Rubin 
  • 24:50 - Finding Missed Opportunities 
  • 28:18 - "How Do You Find Out What To Change First?" 
  • 35:20 - Mike's Experience with Tinkering with Prices 

If you're interested in partnering with Mina for your business, I highly recommend you do so by checking out this link. If you want to hear more of Mina's value bombs, follow him on his LinkedIn or Instagram pages. 

As always, if you have any questions or anything that you need help with, reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested. 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling! 

Sep 25, 2023

Mike speaks with Avishai Sam Bitton, VP of Marketing and Growth at 8fig about the biggest challenges in ecommerce that everyone's been feeling lately, and how you can leverage AI to solve these issues at a low cost. 

 

In this episode, we dive into the challenging landscape of e-commerce, workforce, and technology with Avishai Bitton, a distinguished expert in the field. Avishai, hailing from 8fig.co, specializes in using AI and data to tackle the challenges of cash flow management, supply chain optimization, and sustaining growth, especially during uncertain times. 

 

Join us as we explore how AI and generative technologies can help fill the holes in your businesses, especially as a small-sized business. 

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 03:51 - Avishai's Introduction and Background 
  • 09:50 - Discussion on the Impact of COVID-19 and Supply Chain Challenges
  • 13:30 - Challenges of Inventory Management and Cash Flow
  • 20:33 - The Impact of Generative AI on E-commerce 
  • 24:00 - Workforce and Unemployment 
  • 25:09 - Finding a Balance in the Labor Market 
  • 28:07 - Opportunities for Business and Entrepreneurship 

 

I hope you had some key takeaways from this episode. To explore the tools and resources mentioned in this episode, visit 8fig.co for more information. If you want to contact Avishai directly, you can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn for more insights. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

 

Thanks for listening!

Sep 18, 2023

Did you know that you're entitled to reimbursements from Amazon for lost / damaged inventory within Amazon FBA? Mike and Yoni, the CGO of GETIDA, discuss everything you need to know about reimbursements and auditing. 

 

Check out GETIDA with our affiliate link!

 

According to last year's Software Poll, a whopping 37% of sellers are NOT using a reimbursement service of any kind. As Yoni mentions in today's episode, that is not only a significant loss in cost, but also a loss in potential profit margins that you could have gained. 

 

Yoni Mazor is today's guest, and the CGO of GETIDA, one of the biggest companies out there specializing in Auditing and Reimbursements for Amazon Sellers. We talk about the common mistakes that Amazon makes, how you can claim reimbursements from Amazon for free, and the amount of inventory lost in Amazon FBA on today's episode. 

 

If you've ever been reclassified into a different FBA size tier, (which is extremely common) then this episode is definitely for you. Here are some chapter markers: 

  • 0:00 - Introduction 
  • 1:02 - Amazon Is Stealing Money From You
  • 2:57 - Why Amazon Is Better Than Other Marketplaces with Reimbursements 
  • 4:13 - "What is Amazon infamous for, and what can you do about it?"
  • 5:50 - "What Percentage of Shipments Are Lost?"
  • 9:07 - How To Claim Reimbursements From Amazon and Make Money
  • 11:55 - GETIDA: Pricing, ROI and Return of Frustration
  • 18:12 - Mike's Latest Inventory Issue
  • 20:16 - "What Else Can You Get Reimbursed For?"
  • 25:08 - Why Reimbursement Services Are Worth It
  • 26:31 - Where did GETIDA's name come from?

 

If anything, I'd like for you to walk away with the fact that having a reimbursement service is no longer optional, and that you're leaving money on the table if not. If you’re interested in GETIDA, check out our affiliate link here

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

 

Thanks for listening!

 

Sep 11, 2023

Mike and Dave discuss the strategies that Mike's put in place to squeeze as much profitability as possible to gain maximum value out of his business when he goes to sale. 

Back in July, I announced on the podcast recently where my headspace has been at and the events that lead to the possible reasons why. 

At the start of August, the wheels were set in motion and I ended up selling 2 more ecommerce brands.

Dave and I ended on a cliffhanger on that episode, and this is the official Part 2 where Dave and I talk about what I've been up to and how I've been squeezing out as much profitability as possible before selling – from Avoiding Amazon's HUGE Inventory Costs, to using Freelancers to make up for manpower and more, you won't want to miss this one.   

Here's a few chapter markers that you can easily refer to: 

Audio Timestamps: 

  • Introduction – 0:00 
  • A Quick Recap – 1:13
  • Creating New Reports to Make Things Efficient – 2:43
  • How Dave Automates Forecast Reports – 7:45
  • How Mike Avoids Amazon's New Storage Costs – 10:06
  • How Dave Deals With Inventory – 18:13
  • Shifting to One Employee: What Roles Are Essential? – 25:11
  • Essential Roles Dave Hires For – 29:05
  • The Real Costs of Employees – 32:55
  • A Short Discussion About PPC – 36:14
  • Pricing and Coupons – 37:08 
  • Hidden Gem: Bulk Packs – 41:38
  • The Challenge of Accurate Bookkeeping – 43:31 
  • The Last Tip: 2% Cashback Rewards – 50:22

Stay tuned as we continue to update on our future plans, and for our special PPC episode we're planning for!

I hope you took away some valuable profit-saving insights from this episode. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to support@ecomcrew.com.

Happy selling and I’ll see you on the next one!

Sep 4, 2023

Dave is back to give his 6th annual update for his business while it's up for sale! As usual, he'll detail the wins, losses, why he's decided to put the brand up for sale, and what his brand might actually be worth!  

 

Every year since 2017, I've chronicled rebuilding a 7-figure brand from scratch after the sale of my previous company. 

 

For this episode, I’ll be giving my 6th annual update while also having this exact brand now be listed for sale in QuietLight Brokerage. As usual, I'll detail the wins, losses, why I've decided to put the brand up for sale, and what my brand might actually be worth!  

 

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the blog article here, along with all the previous updates:

 

First, I'll answer the question that's on everyone's mind: Why?, and then I'll touch on why this brand might be a good fit for you, or why it might not. 

Timestamps: 

  • Intro – 0:00 
  • Today's Episode Is Going To Be A Unique One – 00:53
  • Why I'm Choosing to Sell My Business – 2:02
  • A Sneak Peek Into The Numbers Of This Brand – 7:59
  • Dave’s Biggest Wins – 10:06
  • Why This Brand Might Be Great For You – 12:52
  • Why It Might Not Be A Good Fit – 17:02
  • Closing Thoughts – 21:47

There will definitely be a lot more to unpack once all is said and done. For now, you can check out all the other good stuff we have on the EcomCrew PodcastYouTube channel, and Blog

 

 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes. Until the next one, happy selling and we’ll talk to you soon!

Aug 28, 2023

Izzy Rosenzweig, the CEO of Portless, joins Mike on the podcast today to geek out over all things supply chain, and to talk about Portless; one of the biggest potential game changers in the DTC shipping industry. 

No matter how rich you are, you'll always be running into issues with cash flow the longer you're running an ecommerce business. 

Money gets tied up for weeks and up to months at a time while waiting for your inventory to reach local warehouses, but it doesn't have to be with Portless.

Izzy Rozensweig, the CEO of Portless, joins me in today's podcast to talk about how Portless was founded, how it operates, and how his game changer can be leveraged to improve your cash flow by multiples - not just by a few percent. 

Timestamps: 

  • 0:00 - Introduction 
  • 1:10 - Izzy's background in e-commerce 
  • 6:21 - How Portless was founded 
  • 10:50 - What does it cost for a typical small package?
  • 14:12 - How Portless handles next-day shipping  
  • 17:25 - Is Portless appropriate for large, bulky products? 
  • 18:55 - Improving cash flow by magnitudes with DTC shipping  
  • 26:33 - Quick Fire Question #1: Does this work for any region in China? 
  • 27:00 - Quick Fire Question #2: What's the threshold for the size of business? 
  • 27:35 - Quick Fire Question #3: Where can they find more about you and Portless? 
  • 28:54 - Risks associated with shipping DTC 
  • 30:06 - Other countries that DTC shipping applies to 
  • 30:36 - Does Portless provide services for FBA? 

If you're interested in partnering with Portless, I highly recommend you do so by checking out this link. If you'd like to speak to Izzy directly, contact him on his LinkedIn or Twitter pages. 

We'd also love to have you on in a future episode to talk about your experiences with Portless if you do decide to partner with them! Reach out to us at support@ecomcrew.com if you're interested. 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling! 

 

 

Aug 21, 2023

Liz Saunders and I talk about Amazon's Influencer Program; how it can be beneficial for sellers, how sellers can reach out to more sellers, and why you should apply for Amazon Inspire if you've got the audience for it. 

Want to start a new side hustle? Check out Fluencer Fruit now! 

As an Amazon seller, getting traffic to your listing is always a high-value priority.  One way to do this is through influencer marketing, where you pay influencers to promote and direct their audience to your storefront. 

Is this what the Amazon Influencer program helps with? What's the difference between this and the Amazon Associates program? We tackle all that today with our guest, Liz Saunders. 

Liz Saunders is a first-time guest on the podcast, and an Amazon Seller since 2016. She spoke this year at Steve Chou's Seller Summit for the first time, and her topic on the program amazed me so much that I had to invite her on today's podcast to discuss more about it.  

Audio Timestamps: 

  • 0:00 - Introduction 
  • 2:11 - Liz Saunders' background 
  • 3:38 - What is the Amazon Influencer Program? 
  • 10:58 - Case Study on the Impact of Influencer Content 
  • 13:27 - Statistics on Copy vs Video, UGC vs brand content
  • 14:12 - How to get more influencers to work with you 
  • 19:52 - Early Results on the Case Study 
  • 21:48 - "Do you own the content that Influencers make?" 
  • 22:17 - Amazon Inspire
  • 28:15 - Helping Influencers Make Money 
  • 34:12 - Reach out to Liz Saunders
  • 34:52 - The requirements to join the Amazon Influencer Program 

I hope you took away some valuable insights from this episode. If you’re interested in Fluencer Fruit, get the Chrome Extension with code ECOMCREW and get 50% off for life.  

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, happy selling! 

 

 

 

 

Aug 14, 2023

Joining me today is the ever-insightful Bernie Thompson. Since his last appearance on the podcast in 2018, Bernie and I have met again recently at a few conferences which were put on pause because of COVID. 

 

I first met Bernie at The Global Sources Summit in Asia quite a number of years ago as a fellow guest speaker, and he’s been a good friend ever since. He’s one of the co-founders of PPC Ninja, and is also selling on Amazon.

 

In today’s episode, Bernie and I talk about how Amazon’s changed in terms organic vs. sponsored products, how Amazon has become an advertising wall of products, and why we feel like black hat tactics don’t get punished enough. 

 

Audio Timestamps:  

  • 0:00 - Introduction
  • 1:33 - What do you see as The Big Picture these days in Ecommerce / Amazon? 
  • 6:38 - Why it’s impossible to source from the US 
  • 9:50 - How Amazon Advertising has changed 
  • 16:16 - Black hat tactics don’t get punished enough 
  • 22:00 - PPC Ninja

 

I hope you took away some valuable insights from this episode. If you’re interested in PPC Ninja, use code ECOMCREW and get an extended trial for free. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, send us an email at support@ecomcrew.com. We'd love to help you in any way we can. 

 

Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy selling!

Aug 7, 2023

Mike and Dave talk about the crazy sale that Mike's been working on for the past few months, the details of each sale, and what's next for him. 

 

Back in July, I announced on the podcast recently where my headspace has been at and the events that lead to the possible reasons why. 

 

The future however, had other plans. Things have progressed faster than I've come to expect, and that's what Dave and I discuss on today's episode. 

 

Dave and I recount what's been happening in the past few weeks, which include multiple business sales, the value of content websites with AI looming over the horizon, and the ever delicate balance of expanding vs. streamlining my portfolio. 

 

Audio Timestamps: 

  • 00:00 - Introduction 
  • 02:03 - Mike’s Garage Sale Madness 
  • 03:34 - The Unexpected Sale of Another Business
  • 05:23 - Expanding vs. Streamlining 
  • 14:09 - The Future of Content Sites with AI 
  • 19:15 - Letting Go of the Third Business  
  • 29:05 - Retirement and Future Plans 
  • 32:55 - Reinventing Himself
  • 37:30 - The Importance of Not Moving Goalposts

 

So stay tuned, as we continue to update on my plans for the future and what I've been doing in the weeds of ecommerce!

 

I hope you took away some valuable insights from this episode. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to support@ecomcrew.com.

 

Happy selling and I’ll see you on the next one!

Jul 31, 2023

Lianna Patch from Punchline Copy is back on the podcast to talk about how AI has affected her copywriting company, how she uses AI in her business, and why copywriters should embrace AI. 

 

Today, we're joined by Lianna Patch of Punchline Copy. I first met Lianna as one of the speakers during ECF Live 3-4 years ago, and I absolutely loved her presentation. Since then, I’ve had her on the show back in Episode 307 to talk about improving conversions through copy and now she makes her appearance again! 

 

Lianna Patch is back on the podcast to delve into AI's influence on copywriting and what it means for the industry. As AI technology continues to advance, the knee jerk reaction always seems to revolve around how AI will be replacing people and their skills, so I knew I had to get Lianna’s opinion as an expert copywriter.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 01:30 - Lianna’s Background
  • 02:20 - How does Lianna See the World Changing with AI? 
  • 07:33 - Why Copywriters Will Become More Valuable   
  • 09:21 - Why Copywriters Should Embrace AI 
  • 11:29 - How Liana Uses AI in Her Business Today
  • 17:11 - The Future of AI 
  • 22:03 - AI & The Writer’s Strike 
  • 23:59 - How to Use AI to Be A Better Copywriter
  • 25:51 - Embracing / Rejecting AI 
  • 32:00 - Contact Lianna 

 

Lianna, thank you for joining me on today’s episode. If you’d like to contact Lianna for any business inquiries, reach out to her on twitter or on her website, PunchlineCopy.

 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes

 

Happy selling and we’ll see you in the next one!

Jul 24, 2023

The numbers are out! In this episode, Mike and Dave unpack the recently concluded 2023 version of our Amazon Consumer Behaviour survey, and compare the results against last year.

 

Dave and I are thrilled to present our second annual consumer research report. We explore intriguing insights into consumer preferences, buying behavior, and the growing significance of product authenticity. 

 

We discussed Prime Day's influence on consumer behavior, identified the most "evil" tech company, and analyzed shopping trends during Black Friday. The reported increase in sales on walmart.com surprised us and sparked speculations about its impact on Amazon's market share. 

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 01:18 - Prime Day Insights 
  • 08:58 - Revealing the Most "Evil" Tech Company 
  • 11:36 - Analyzing Consumer Behavior on Black Friday and Prime Day 
  • 15:18 - The Dark Side of Big Tech
  • 19:07 - Minimum Wage and Social Impact
  • 19:42 - Counterfeit Products on Amazon
  • 30:28: The Value of Buying Directly from Vendors vs. Marketplace Sellers
  • 32:43: The Frustration of Product Returns on Amazon and Its Impact on Parents
  • 40:21: The Growing Dominance of Amazon as a Product Search Engine

 

We hope you enjoyed our engaging exploration of the dynamic landscape of online shopping. Until next time, happy selling!

Jul 17, 2023

With the recent sale in the rear view mirror, Mike talks about the plans he has for the future and what business he's thinking of getting into next to focus 100% of his attention on.

 

Today, Dave and I are diving into some events this year that have led to me ultimately choosing to let go of all my brands. We discussed a little bit on the last podcast episode, but Dave and I also discuss the rest of my plans for the future and moving towards embodying The One Thing. 

 

Here’s a few specific questions that Dave tossed out: 

  • Were your other businesses being negatively impacted while you were a CEO for this previous project?

  • What’s the maximum amount of businesses should a person have while giving a reasonable amount of attention to? 

  • What’s the next business for Mike? 

 

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:35 - Reflecting on the recent sale of our business

03:09 - Lessons learned and evaluating decisions

09:21 - Balancing multiple projects and finding focus

20:54 - The Benefits and Challenges of Multiple E-commerce Brands

22:19 - Focusing on a Single E-commerce Brand

25:44 - The Decision to Sell Off Brands and Find the One Thing to Focus On

27:24 - Vision for the Future and Buying a Business

33:04 - Reflecting on the Frustration of Selling the Previous Business

36:44 - Changing Business Landscape

39:11 - Excitement for a New Business Venture

 

So stay tuned, as we continue to explore this ever-evolving industry together!

 

I hope you took away some valuable insights from this episode that you can use to sort out your business goals for this year. Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoy our content. 

Happy selling and I’ll see you on the next one!

 

Jul 10, 2023

Mike Jackness talks to Chris Duty of Quiet Light Brokerage to dive into the challenges that they faced when trying to sell one of Mike’s most recent business acquisitions, and the string of bad luck that Mike faced along the way.

 

After 3 years, I’m glad to announce that I’ve sold one of my businesses. 

 

Joining me today is the broker that helped me with the transition, Chris Duty from Quiet Light Brokerage. Chris and I explore the process of selling a business that I, alongside investors from ECF Capital, acquired in late 2020, and what transpired along the way (which includes some unfortunate events). 

 

One of the key takeaways from this episode is that the process isn’t over until it’s over. 

 

Some roadblocks might pop up along the way, but it’s always important to move onto the next step until the whole process is complete. If you’re considering on selling your business, or if you want to hear the fun (or unlucky) details of my journey in trying to sell this business, today’s episode is definitely one to save. 

 

Here’s today’s main points

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 01:50 - Ground rules of today’s discussion
  • 03:04 - The backstory of our sale 
  • 08:39 - Today’s main takeaway: It’s not done until it’s done. 
  • 14:41 - How Chris approaches a business sale  
  • 16:28 - Building trust and credibility with buyers
  • 24:18 - Tax returns and SBA pre-qualification
  • 31:05 -The impact of having your priorities in order
  • 33:43 - Finding the right buyer who recognizes the long-term value of the business
  • 42:38 - The importance of early preparation for selling your business

 

We hope today’s episode was useful to you. If you want to get in touch with Chris you can find him at Linkedin or you can check out the company at QuietLight.com. If you want to check out how Mike planned to grow this ecommerce business back in 2021, you can check it out here

 

If you have any questions or anything you’d like us to discuss on the podcast, you can now email us directly at support@ecomcrew.com! Also, we would really appreciate it if you would leave us a review on iTunes

 

Thanks for listening!

Jul 3, 2023

Welcome to today's episode where we delve into the transformative power of AI in the realms of e-commerce and search engine optimization (SEO). 

 

With the ever-increasing integration of AI technologies, businesses and content creators must understand the implications and opportunities that lie ahead. 

 

Join Jeff and I as we unravel the impact of AI on the customer journey, the future of search queries and content creation, and the role of large language models like Chat GPT. The world of e-commerce is evolving, and it's time to explore the possibilities that AI brings to the table.

 

Timestamps:

  • 0:00 - Introduction
  • 02:13 - The Changing Customer Journey and the Rise of AI
  • 05:15 - The Future of Search and Content Creation
  • 08:42 - Middle and Bottom of the Funnel Keywords
  • 17:29 - The Challenge of Shaky Search Results
  • 18:50 - The Role of AI in Content Generation
  • 21:00 - The Future of Video Content
  • 30:14 - The Mind-Blowing Capabilities of AI
  • 30:45 - The Adoption Curve of AI
  • 31:06 - Seizing the Opportunities with AI

 

As we wrap up today's discussion on the influence of AI on e-commerce and SEO, we find ourselves at the precipice of an exciting yet uncertain future. The rapid progress of AI technologies presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses and content creators. Adapting to this changing landscape requires a proactive approach and a willingness to embrace new AI tools and strategies.

 

While the future may bring uncertainties, we believe in the enduring value of SEO and the importance of staying informed and open-minded. By harnessing the power of AI as our ally, businesses can thrive in the evolving digital world. 

 

We encourage our listeners to remain curious, keep exploring, and seize the potential that AI offers in reshaping e-commerce and SEO. Thank you for joining us, and until next time, stay curious and embrace the power of AI.

Jun 26, 2023

Prime Day is fast approaching and Jake Zaristian from JungleScout is back on the podcast to talk about it. Together, we'll be talking about the strategies that you should be doing before, during and after the biggest shopping holiday of the year.

With the biggest Amazon shopping holiday quickly approaching, Jake is back on the podcast to talk about some tips and strategies that you can incorporate and start assimilating into your business. 

Timestamps: 

  • Defining your goals - Being profit-driven or growth-driven? - 2:39
  • How Mike would personally approach Prime Day - 4:04
  • Why it's important to know your profitability for Prime Day - 5:41
  • Strategy #1: Start your strategies now! - 7:40 
  • Strategy #2: Comparing last year's sales data - 8:55
  • Strategy #3: Acquiring new customers during Prime Day - 11:27 
  • The results from these pre-planning strategies - 12:47 
  • Hack #1: Running Lightning Deals AFTER Prime Day - 17:29 
  • Why Increasing Ad Budgets on your best keywords WORK - 20:38 
  • What JungleScout expects to see this year - 23:37
  • Amazon Live and Influencers - 26:12 

I want to say thank you again to Jake Zaristian from JungleScout for coming on the podcast. 

If you're interested in subscribing to JungleScout and want to use our affiliate link, click here.  

I hope you enjoyed this latest installment of the podcast. As always, feel free to leave a comment below.

If you think this episode has been useful to you, please take a moment to leave us a review on iTunes.

Happy Selling! 

 

Jun 19, 2023

Our guest, Alex Oxford from TaxValet, shares his expertise in Sales Tax, exploring its complexities and implications for entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights and strategies to help you go through the challenging world of sales tax compliance. 

 

While it may not be the most thrilling subject, understanding your obligations and options is crucial for your business's success. 

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 03:09 - The Complexities of Sales Tax Compliance
  • 06:46 - The Louisiana Sales Tax System
  • 09:19 - The Case of Colorado and Home Rule Jurisdictions
  • 13:31 - Setting up sales tax obligations for clients
  • 14:33 - Determining the next state to register for sales tax
  • 17:34 - Amazon's role and its impact on sales tax risk
  • 25:04 - Sales Tax Nexus
  • 27:54 - State Enforcement and Audits
  • 28:50 - States to Watch Out For

 

The podcast emphasizes the need for fair and accountable sales tax regulations, particularly in the context of Amazon and its marketplace practices. Government intervention and realistic thresholds are necessary to level the playing field and protect e-commerce sellers. 

 

It is crucial for businesses to understand their sales tax obligations, make informed decisions, and seek professional assistance, such as that provided by Tax Valet. By engaging with lawmakers, sharing experiences, and advocating for change, we can work towards a more manageable and equitable sales tax system. 

 

Join us next time for more valuable insights on growing your profitable e-commerce brand!

Jun 12, 2023

In this episode of the EcomCrew podcast, I’m joined by Michael Epstein, one of the co-founders of PostPilot, a company that helps e-commerce businesses by using direct mail marketing to create memorable customer experiences to increase sales.

 

We also discuss how PostPilot started and the idea behind going back to physical postcards to advertise products, discounts, and services. We also talk about how companies have been faring after subscribing to their services.

 

Timestamps:

  • 2:07 — Introduction 

  • 6:37 — Inspiration behind PostPilot 

  • 8:40  — How to reacquire customers who churned

  • 10:16 — New features PostPilot’s been working on 

  • 14:24 — Internal benchmarks to measure for future campaigns

  • 17:48 — Tactics/incentives to reacquire old customers

  • 24:15 — How to use lookalike audience attributes to refine ROAS

  • 27:17 — Abandon cart win-back campaigns

  • 29:15 — Minimum threshold for companies before hitting a benchmark

  • 30:38 — PostPilot’s exclusive offering to EcomCrew members

 

Thank you so much to Michael for doing this week’s podcast episode with me after I had his co-founder Drew on the podcast a few years ago and learned so much about the growth of their business and their plans for the future.

 

He was also so kind for giving EcomCrew members freebies in their first few months when they sign up on PostPilot.

 

If you want to learn more about their business, you can check them out on PostPilot.com.

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoyed this episode. Until the next one, happy selling!

Jun 5, 2023

The first Under The Hood episode of the year is finally here! Today I'm joined by Gary Guenst, one-half of the founders of ToothShower, a water flosser powered by your own shower. 

 

If the brand sounds familiar, you might’ve heard it from one of my previous Under The Hood episodes where I chatted with Gary’s wife, Lisa. 

 

Here are some of the questions me and Gary went back and forth with from this episode:

  • Does the MFN inventory automatically back up FBA inventory if current FBAs run out? - 5:14

  • Is there a general rule of thumb for running coupons? - 9:25 

  • What's a realistic ROS on Amazon? - 14:10

  • Are there more businesses leaving Amazon? - 19:48 

  • What kind of businesses should list their products on Walmart? - 21:41

  • What are the best platforms to find keywords? - 24:18 

  • What companies benefit most from using Helium 10 and Jungle Scout? - 26:26

  • What is the best way to leverage selling eBooks on Amazon? - 29:29 

  • Which generates higher conversions? Driving customers through listings or to a brand store? - 32:27 

  • How frequently should businesses update backend keywords, brand content story, listings, and a+ content? - 34:37 

  • How do you set a budget for the performance of Amazon ads? - 36:27 

  • Why should a business care about B2B customers in transaction downloads when Amazon sends updates on the number of B2B customers? - 39:39 

  • Is 14 days enough time to generate reasonable data on Amazon ads? - 42:03 

  • How often should a business post on Amazon? - 42:15 

  • Are there any updates on Amazon's liquidation program? - 43:46 

  • Do you have any tips for businesses in the process of launching a downsized product? - 45:27 

 

Gary and I also went over how ToothShower has done since last appearing on the show and their plans to scale their business in the future by using ads and automated tools, on top of their main goal of downsizing some of their products 

 

As mentioned in the episode, here’s a link to one of the best tools to find keywords on Amazon.  

 

If you want a free hour of coaching to help you navigate all the hiccups you’ve been experiencing in ecommerce, we’d love to have you on our next Under The Hood Episode.



If you liked this week’s episode, we would appreciate it if you leave us a review on iTunes. As always, happy selling and we’ll see you in the next one!

May 29, 2023

Nirav Sheth and Mike Jackness dive into Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) strategies. Our guest,  the founder and CEO of Anata, sheds light on the significance of CRO and its optimal timing for business enhancement. 

 

We focus on often overlooked aspects of e-commerce management, highlighting the importance of a user-friendly checkout experience, the influence of distractions on mobile users, and the role of data-driven decision-making in e-commerce. 

 

Additionally, the episode uncovers the power of influencer-led channels, effective landing page optimization, and the psychology behind podcast advertising. 

 

Nirav provides his expert take on traditional CRO and why more impactful, focused testing could yield better results than a high volume of minor ones.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:25 - Introduction
  • 01:41 - Embracing Best Practices for CRO
  • 07:50 - Ensuring a User-friendly Checkout System
  • 09:56 - Comprehending Mobile User Behavior
  • 11:22 - The Role of Usability Testing
  • 14:47 - Understanding E-commerce Benchmarks
  • 19:18 - Exploring Conversion Rates in E-commerce
  • 20:31 - Harnessing the Potential of Influencer-led Channels
  • 27:41 - The Limitations of Traditional CRO
  • 31:49 - The Impact of AI and Personalization on CRO

 

I wanna thank Nirav for the value-packed conversation today, and we’ll definitely employ the tactics learned in our own businesses. 

 

If you want to get featured on an Under the Hood segment, be sure to head over to ecomcrew.com/underthehood to sign up. We’re excited to hear about your ecommerce journey! 

 

Speaking of ecommerce journey, Dave and I would not have gotten this far without all the help from the amazing people we met along the way. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoyed this episode. Until the next one, happy selling!

May 22, 2023

Today, my guest is Kelcey Lehrich, a prolific entrepreneur running a thriving portfolio of ecommerce enterprises. We dissect the opportunities and hurdles in operating multiple ecommerce ventures, extending hands-on counsel and strategic guidance to listeners. 

 

We delve into the key attributes of a successful business, the significance of revenue quality, and the untapped potential within distressed assets. 

 

This episode reveals essential facets about business expansion, creating competitive edges, and strategizing future objectives, providing a comprehensive overview of the e-commerce landscape. We also talk about the start of Holdco Conference, an annual gathering aimed specifically at multi-business operators.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 00:38 - Personal Experiences as an FBA Aggregator
  • 01:47 - Deep Dive into Kelcey's Strategy
  • 03:11 - Journey and Growth of Kelcey's Holding Company
  • 04:42 - Striking a Balance between Aspirations and Capitalization
  • 07:05 - Guidelines for Business Expansion
  • 08:01 - Identifying High Quality eCommerce Businesses
  • 10:34 - Tactical Approaches for Business Growth and Exit Strategy
  • 12:59 - Valuable Lessons Learnt from Running eCommerce Businesses
  • 26:45 - Holdco Conference: A Premier Event for Multi-Business Owners

 

Kelcey shares a few nuggets of wisdom about managing multiple e-commerce businesses. His experiences provide a unique perspective for those keen on owning multiple business, underscoring the balance between aspirations and resources, the maturation of a holding company, and the prerequisites for business scaling. 

 

Although owning multiple businesses presents its unique challenges, the payoff and rewards at the end of the road can be life-changing.

 

Kelcey stresses how important it is to learn from acquiring businesses that have survived the early startup phase. Learning specifically about optimizing business structures, managing costs, and leveraging existing vendor relationships for building a lucrative eCommerce venture can be the most useful lessons to learn.

May 15, 2023

Mike reflects on the podcast as we hit our 500th milestone episode by exploring the profound power of time. In this special solo episode, Mike delves into the importance of time in various aspects of life, including investment, business, and personal growth. 

 

Welcome to this special milestone episode of the EcomCrew Podcast as we celebrate our 500th airing. Today, I’m putting on my philosophical hat to look back on the podcast and to guide you through my podcasting journey since the show started back in November 2015. 

 

In this solo episode, I delve into the profound power of time, which can be both a potent tool for positive change and a formidable obstacle. It can be short, or it can be longer than you think, but in the end, we’ll never know how long our time on Earth will be. However, it’s important to maximize the time we have as much as possible. It’s incredibly important never to rush, especially in investment, business, and personal growth. 

 

I'll share my own personal experiences with how it’s been the backbone of my stock and real estate investments, my businesses and content creation, showing the significance of long-term commitment and consistency. I'll also explore some of my favorite books that have shaped my thinking and business approach.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 00:33 - Postscript 
  • 03:17 - Exploring the power and challenge of time.
  • 05:20 - Importance of investing early and the magic of compounding interest.
  • 07:10 - Experience on navigating competition in the e-commerce podcast realm.
  • 09:13 - Persistence and consistency: Keys to long-term success.
  • 14:10 - Sticking with one venture for long-term success
  • 17:07 - Time as a finite resource: Why proper management is critical.

Drawing from my journey with the EcomCrew podcast, there were times where I wanted to quit but consistency was key. Success is never an overnight event, but a product of relentless efforts invested over time.

 

I can’t help but stress the importance of consistency, long-term dedication, and effective time management. It’s important for listeners to foster a long-term perspective in their business goals, steering clear of the “shiny thing” syndrome. 

 

Don’t forget to leave us a review over on iTunes if you enjoy content like this. 

 

Happy selling and we’ll talk to you soon!

 

May 8, 2023

Mike interviews ecommerce lawyer Steven Weigler, who shares his expert knowledge on the legal aspects of starting, growing, and exiting an e-commerce business. We delve into the importance of legal protection, due diligence, and having the right processes in place for e-commerce businesses. 

 

Topics covered include intellectual property, privacy policies, product packaging, and governance, as well as the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the value of having a skilled lawyer by your side. 

 

I wanted to get Steven on today to help listeners learn how to avoid potential issues that can negatively impact the value of their businesses and delay the sale process.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 00:25 - Steven's background in law and entrepreneurship, and the role of lawyers in e-commerce businesses
  • 01:58 - Legal aspects and the importance of a clean legal strategy for e-commerce businesses
  • 03:48 - Legal pitfalls to avoid and the significance of trademarks
  • 07:23 - Key elements for developing a legal strategy, such as intellectual property and privacy policies
  • 13:12 - Understanding different business stages and appropriate legal operations
  • 14:19 - Importance of building a strong relationship with an attorney
  • 16:24 - Clearing your brand name to avoid future costly issues
  • 19:15 - Navigating business divorces and the need for proper governance
  • 20:53 - Legal protection and good processes for e-commerce businesses in larger deals
  • 25:47 - Mitigating risks and challenges in e-commerce through a good lawyer and a strong network
  • 28:20 - Preparing for inevitable legal issues in business
  • 29:51 - Steven Weigler's law firm, Emerge Console, and resources on LinkedIn

 

This podcast episode features valuable legal advice and strategies provided by Steven Weigler to help e-commerce businesses succeed and avoid costly legal problems. 

 

By engaging a lawyer early on, maintaining a clean legal strategy, and being proactive in legal matters, entrepreneurs can better position their companies for potential exit events or acquisitions. 

 

Furthermore, understanding the legal aspects and due diligence processes required to protect their business value can enable business owners to implement a strategic approach to intellectual property, privacy policies, product packaging, and governance, minimizing potential issues and maximizing their value during the sale process.

 

This episode serves as a valuable resource for e-commerce entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their legal foundation and safeguard their businesses.

 

May 1, 2023

The focus on today's episode is on the challenges faced by Amazon sellers, particularly from Chinese companies and sellers who engage in these practices. 

 

Karl from Stonington Global joins the discussion to shed light on the lobbying efforts to educate lawmakers about these issues and advocate for a fairer e-commerce environment. 

 

This episode highlights the importance of creating a level playing field for all e-commerce sellers and the impact of unfair trade practices on consumers.

 

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 02:36 - Unfair trade practices on Amazon
  • 03:00 - Lobbying efforts by tech giants
  • 06:21 - Amazon's public relations efforts and challenges for small businesses
  • 08:59 - Consumer impact and importance of domestic manufacturing
  • 12:25 - Vulnerabilities of global supply chains
  • 14:07 - Government crackdown on Amazon and challenges for US businesses
  • 15:44 - Draft legislation and the proposed FTC study
  • 18:54 - Karl's personal story on dealing with Amazon
  • 21:16 - Encouragement to share stories and put pressure on Amazon
  • 23:48 - Support for Karl's cause and spreading the message

 

As the e-commerce industry continues to grow, the need for a level playing field becomes increasingly important.

 

Unfair trade practices, particularly those perpetrated by Chinese companies and sellers, present a significant challenge for Amazon sellers and have a wider impact on consumers. 

 

However, by advocating for change and educating lawmakers, we can work towards creating a more equitable e-commerce environment.

 

This episode encourages listeners to support Karl's cause, and work together to create a better future for all e-commerce sellers and consumers. 

 

Visit EcomCrew for more content and e-commerce courses, and until the next episode, happy selling!

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