Episode 252: Creative Shifts, Community, and the Realities of Modern E-Commerce with Kurt Elster

🎙️ Episode 253: How to Win on TikTok Shop - Real Strategy Over Viral Hype with Ashley Wright Episode Description "People think, 'Okay, a video's gone viral or it's doing really well,' but then realistically you've got to say, has that actually turned into ROI?" – Ashley Wright In this behind-the-scenes episode from Smart Marketer Live, Content Coordinator Zach Dampier sits down with Ashley Wright, founder of Social Tale and one of the top TikTok Shop experts in the game. With over $80 million in sales under his belt, Ashley reveals what most brands get wrong about the platform and how to fix it. They dive into pricing psychology, organic vs paid performance, platform patience, and how building trust through content is the real key to social commerce success. If you're wondering whether TikTok Shop is right for your brand or how to scale it without chasing trends, this one's for you. You Will Learn: Why TikTok Shop isn't plug-and-play and what it really takes to succeed The #1 mistake brands make when launching on TikTok How to structure your social content for trust and visibility Why patience beats quick wins in today's attention economy What top brands get right before even touching TikTok The future of live shopping and social commerce LINKS & RESOURCES: 💼 Ashley Wright's Agency: Social Tale ✨ Ashley Wright on LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/ashleywright1 🎤 Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com 🧠 Smart Social Course: landing.smartmarketer.com/pages/smart-social 📩 Omnisend Offer 50% Off for 3 Months: smartmarketer.com/omnisend ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro: Behind the Scenes at Smart Marketer Live 01:21 Ezra's Tool Tip: Why He Moved His New Brand to Omnisend 02:25 Meet Ashley Wright: $80M+ in TikTok Shop Sales 03:28 What Most Brands Get Wrong About TikTok Shop 05:22 Views Don't Equal Revenue: Targeting & ROI Reality Check 06:35 Social Content Isn't Just Conversion, It's Identification 08:00 The Patience Game: TikTok Shop Requires a Long-Term Plan 09:47 Why Instant Gratification is Killing Your Strategy 11:50 You're Growing More Than You Think: Year-Over-Year Metrics 12:17 How Ashley Connected With Smart Marketer and Got Invited 13:43 Inside Smart Marketer Live: Energy, Vibes, and Jeopardy Music? 15:56 Ashley's Latest Win: $6M from a Single Brand on TikTok Shop 17:26 The Future of TikTok: Live Shopping, Retail Reinvented and AI Integration 20:29 Raising Prices and Letting Go of the Wrong Customers 21:50 What "Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit" Means to Ashley 24:32 Why Sharing Your Knowledge Is Smart Business 25:15 Long-Form Ads, Better Hooks and Better Consumer Experiences 25:59 Outro: Thanks for Tuning In! 📣 YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow: ⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here 📲 Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use the hashtag #WeOutHere 💬 Have feedback or guest suggestions? Email us anytime: [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. 🚀  

Episode 252: Creative Shifts, Community, and the Realities of Modern E-Commerce with Kurt Elster Episode Description What keeps a Shopify expert motivated after 15+ years in the game? In this episode, Kurt Elster, creator of the Unofficial Shopify Podcast and longtime Smart Marketer collaborator, joins Zach Dampier live at Smart Marketer Live to share real talk about modern eCommerce, creative fatigue, and building community in an often isolating industry. "The thing I hang my hat on is two words: enable entrepreneurship. If I can do that with my content, with my efforts speaking or the work, then I'm happy." – Kurt Elster From actionable takeaways to a raw look at what it really takes to scale on Shopify, this episode is packed with insights for any DTC brand or digital entrepreneur. You Will Learn Why "enabling entrepreneurship" fuels Kurt's long-term success The #1 Shopify checkout mistake (and how to fix it in 5 minutes) What Amazon sellers need to know before bolting on Shopify How Smart Marketer Live helped attendees beat the isolation of online business The creative demands of Meta's new ad algorithm (Andromeda update) Why diverse ad creative matters Behind the scenes of a high-speed Shopify theme build for JomBoy Media Links & Resources Kurt Elster – Official Website – Learn more about Kurt's work, services, and speaking Unofficial Shopify Podcast – Weekly eComm insights with Kurt Elster Smart Marketer Website – Courses, strategy, and support for scaling your business Build a Perfect PDP Blueprint – Learn the exact structure Kurt used to help boost conversions by 87% Smart Marketer Agency – Get expert help growing your eCommerce brand Smart Marketer BFCM Sale – Save up to 60% before Dec 4 & support charity while you shop Omnisend for Email & SMS – Use code "SMART" for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps 00:00 – Intro from Anthony + BFCM promo 01:11 – Ezra shares why he uses Omnisend 02:22 – "Enable Entrepreneurship": Kurt's mission 02:54 – Kurt's experience at Smart Marketer Live 04:02 – From podcasting to partnering with Ezra 05:39 – The power of product detail pages (PDPs) 06:09 – Why Amazon sellers want Shopify independence 07:35 – Ecomm is lonely: The power of in-person connection 08:21 – Meta's creative demands and audience fatigue 09:57 – The checkout mistake that kills conversions 11:24 – Success doesn't mean debt-free: The hidden pressure 12:23 – Custom Shopify build for JomBoy Media 14:05 – What motivates Kurt after 15+ years 15:49 – How Kurt lives "Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit" 18:25 – Outro + Smart Marketer BFCM deal reminder Your Engagement Matters If this episode inspired you, please: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share and tag us with #WeOutHere Got thoughts? Email [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

Episode 251: Shark Tank, AI & Social Impact: How Kreyòl Essence Scaled With Purpose Episode Description: In this powerhouse episode, Smart Marketer's Zach Dampier sits down with Yve-Car Momperousse, CEO & Co-Founder of Kreyòl Essence, the clean beauty brand that turned Haitian Black Castor Oil into a viral, purpose-driven movement. Yve-Car shares what it was like stepping into the Shark Tank spotlight, how she's leveraging AI to evolve her brand, and why poverty alleviation is her true North Star. "Don't feed into your own hype. What you did five years ago, what you did ten years ago; it matters. But what you do the next five years is critical." – Yve-Car Momperousse If you've ever wrestled with staying relevant while staying rooted in your mission, this one's for you. You Will Learn: How Kreyòl Essence blended culture, biotech & commerce to reach millions What really happens behind the scenes on Shark Tank A powerful mindset shift to avoid being replaced by AI Why inclusive marketing is both ethical and profitable How to use your founder story as your brand's superpower The real reason entrepreneurship is a "team sport" Links & Resources: Smart Marketer Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale – smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025  Kreyòl Essence Website  Watch Kreyòl Essence on Shark Tank: Season 11, Episode 11  Instagram – @yvecar Smart Marketer  Get 50% off Omnisend: smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code: SMART  Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome from Smart Marketer + Omnisend Promo 02:08 – Meet Yve-Car: CEO & Co-Founder of Kreyòl Essence 04:47 – How Ezra Firestone Discovered Yve-Car at a Conference 05:52 – Why Community & Collaboration Are Entrepreneurial Superpowers 08:45 – From Executive Assistant to CEO: Don't Minimize Your Experience 11:59 – Why Smart Marketer Events Feel Different 13:09 – Big Takeaway: Let AI Be Your Copywriter, Strategist & Soundboard 15:05 – Don't Feed Into Your Own Hype: Why Adaptability Is Everything 17:24 – Mindset Matters: Why Coaching & Therapy Aren't Optional 19:10 – Inclusion in Ecomm: Why Representation Still Lags 22:28 – Real Talk: Targeting Customers Multilingually 23:27 – Her True North Star: Poverty Alleviation, Not Product Sales 25:37 – Representation Wins: "Now I know I can do it too" 26:38 – Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank: What They Don't Tell You 29:24 – Best Ad Ever? How Shark Tank Helped Them Tell Their Story 30:53 – Final Thoughts + Why This Journey is Bigger Than Business Call to Action: If this episode inspired you, here's how you can support: 💥 Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode on social & tag us [@smartmarketer] 📧 Got feedback? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected] 💥 Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year – Save up to 60% during the Smart Marketer BFCM Sale + get two bonus gifts. Ends December 4, 2025. → smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 250:  Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In Episode Description What happens when you mix a viral beverage, a high-compliance industry, and one of the sharpest minds in performance marketing? In this episode, recorded live at Smart Marketer Live 2025, Nick Shackelford joins Zach Dampier for a candid behind-the-scenes look at building BRĒZ a microdose beverage brand blending THC, functional mushrooms, and adaptogens. From navigating paid media challenges to retail expansion, Nick shares real talk on scaling products you care about, retention strategies that actually work, and why creative still trumps targeting on Meta. "Our mission is to reduce human suffering and maximize human potential through a better beverage." – Nick Shackelford You Will Learn: How to scale a product in a highly regulated category like THC The exact creative that outperforms for BRĒZ (hint: it's not what you expect) Why retail is still essential, even for DTC brands A smarter way to build LTV from first purchase to loyal customer Why "broad targeting" is Meta's new reality Nick's bold prediction about AI-generated content and Meta's next big move  Links & Resources Smart Marketer Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale – smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 BRĒZ Beverage – drinkbrez.com Nick Shackelford on Instagram – @iamnickshackelford Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Instagram – @smartmarketerig – Follow Us Instagram – @mollypittmandigital – Follow Molly Omnisend (Email & SMS Tool) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Nick Shackelford joins live at Smart Marketer Live 02:46 – Nick's journey & how BRĒZ was born 04:08 – From agency life to brand ownership 05:27 – Navigating compliance in regulated industries (like THC) 07:19 – Cultural shifts: The rise of non-alcoholic social beverages 09:35 – Why retail still wins: "Cans in hands" matters 10:42 – The creative that outperformed all ads: A real customer call 12:35 – LTV & retention: How to optimize post-purchase flow 14:21 – The most common mistake in paid ads (and what Meta reps say now) 16:25 – What fuels Nick's team: Mission, movement, and remote hustle 19:10 – Full-circle moment: How pirated Ezra content sparked Nick's career 22:51 – Purpose & product: Nick's take on meaningful business 24:38 – Bold prediction: Meta's new "Vibes" AI feed & where it's heading 27:28 – Closing thoughts: Reaffirmation bubbles, dual realities & what's next Call to Action Thanks for tuning in to Episode 249 of the Smart Marketer Podcast! 🎧 If this episode brought you value: ✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share it with your network and tag us – use #WeOutHere 💬 Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected] 💥 Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year – Save up to 60% during the Smart Marketer BFCM Sale + get two bonus gifts. Ends December 4, 2025. → smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025 And remember: Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

🎙️Episode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy – Part 2 (with Ben Bennett) 📝 Episode Description Want more winning ads with less guesswork? In Part 2 of this creative strategy masterclass, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, takes you behind the scenes of a real ad campaign to show how small, intentional changes to your message and creative experience can lead to major performance gains on Meta. Forget pumping out 20 random creatives a week. Ben shows you how to scale creative purposefully by testing strategic variables like persona, tone, and setting instead of scrambling to change formats. "With the right variables, small changes become big changes. That's real creative strategy." – Ben Bennett This episode is packed with examples, frameworks, and a fresh way to approach Meta's evolving algorithm by focusing on people first. ✅ You Will Learn How to turn one winning hook into multiple high-performing ads Why Meta's algorithm rewards creative diversity based on experience What variables matter most: persona, setting, tone (not just format) How to create "purposeful volume" instead of creative noise Why human-first strategy beats algorithm-chasing every time A repeatable system for long-term creative testing & scaling 🔗 Links & Resources Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Agency – smartmarketeragency.com Omnisend (Email & SMS tool) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend 👉 Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Welcome back: What You'll Learn in Part 2 01:00 – Ezra Firestone's Omnisend Shoutout: "That's how much I trust that platform." 02:04 – Ad Case Study: 3 Winning Ads, Same Hook, Different Experiences 03:54 – How Changing One Variable (like persona) Unlocked Higher Performance 06:52 – From Winning Image → UGC Video: Building Iterations with Confidence 07:41 – Persona Shift: Human Activity vs. Human Connection 08:58 – Why Format Isn't Strategy (And What Actually Is) 10:05 – Why People First > Algorithm First Creative 11:01 – The Real Director of Meta's Algorithm? Humans. 12:08 – Purposeful Volume: How to Test Strategically 13:02 – Final Thoughts: Real Creative Strategy is Human-First 14:01 – Outro & YouTube Shoutout 📣 Your Engagement Matters! Thanks for listening to The Smart Marketer Podcast! If this episode helped shift your thinking, do us a favor: ✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode on social & tag us with #WeOutHere 💌 Got feedback or a question? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 248: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 1  (with Ben Bennett) 📝 Episode Description What's really going on with Meta's latest algorithm update? In this must-listen episode, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, breaks down what the Andromeda update means for advertisers and how to adjust your creative strategy to keep winning in 2025. "If we can take creative and make that our advantage, then it's like AI to the speed of sound." – Ben Bennett Ben shares the four-step framework he uses daily to build high-performing creative and explains why Meta's new system favors marketers who understand message, tone, and audience experience; not just volume. Plus, you'll hear why obsessing over technical formats like video vs. image is not where performance starts. Part 2 drops next week and will go deeper into examples, production tips, and AI workflows. ✅ You Will Learn: What the Meta Andromeda update changes for creative strategy How to avoid "creative noise" and create performance-driven diversity Why your best ads still dominate spend (and how to find more like them) The four-step process Smart Marketer uses with agency clients What variables actually matter when planning diverse creatives Why starting with your best-performing hook changes everything 🔗 Links & Resources Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Agency – https://smartmarketeragency.com Omnisend Email Tool – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use coupon code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months) ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Intro: Why You Need to Rethink Your Creative Strategy 01:16 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend: "That's how much I trust that platform..." 02:19 – Meta's Andromeda Update: "It's not just more creative." 03:17 – Is 20 Ads/Week Really Necessary? What the Data Shows 06:01 – "The thing that I think is really awesome about this algorithm is that it helps those with better creative win." 07:51 – Creative Volume vs. Creative Clarity: "They have lost touch on what's working and what's not." 09:40 – Step 1: Choose Your Best Performing Hook 11:20 – Case Study: Good Riddance Natural Insect Repellent 13:02 – Step 2: Build an Experience Around the Hook 14:01 – The Role of Tone, Setting, and Persona in Ad Performance 16:49 – How Demographics and POV Impact Results 18:33 – Match Your Creative to Viewer Behavior on Facebook 19:28 – 3 Example Creative Plans Using the Framework 20:31 – Step 3: Add Technical Variables (Format, Length, Placement) 21:51 – Final Framework: "When a hook and experience have a baby, they make an ad." 📣 Your Engagement Matters! If this episode gave you a new perspective on creative strategy, we'd love to hear from you. ✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Questions or feedback? Email us: [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 247: Revolutionizing Recurring Revenue with Supliful's Game-Changing Consumables Episode Description "You're literally solving the biggest problem in business right now." – Molly Pittman What if you could add high-margin, recurring revenue products to your business without worrying about inventory, cash flow, or manufacturing? In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Martins Lasmanis, CEO of Supliful; a platform that makes launching white-label consumables as easy as clicking a button. Whether you sell physical products, run a digital business, or want to boost LTV, this is the growth strategy you didn't know you needed. Martins shares why everyone will be selling consumables in the next two years, how micro-brands are eating up market share, and how Supliful uses AI to suggest the perfect product for your audience. 💡 You Will Learn: How to add a supplement, coffee, or skincare product to your offer in minutes Why recurring revenue is critical for scaling in today's market The "print on demand" model for consumables (with no upfront cost) Why micro-brands are thriving (and how you can join them) How AI is making product launches faster, smarter, and easier The one mistake that kills repeat sales—and how to fix it fast What certifications and compliance actually matter in this space Real case study: $1.7M in added revenue in just 3 months! 🔗 Links & Resources Supliful – supliful.com Launch Magic (AI product recommendations) – launchmagic.ai Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Omnisend (SMS & Email) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off Instagram – @smartmarketerig, @mollypittmandigital ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro from Anthony: Supliful solves a BIG problem 01:17 – Ezra's endorsement: Why we love Omnisend 02:20 – Meet Martins: From posters to profitable consumables 04:33 – How Supliful removes ALL the friction of launching new products 05:33 – The problem with non-recurring products (and how to fix it) 06:33 – Why consumables are the next big thing for all business models 07:47 – The rise of micro-brands and personalized offers 09:03 – Consumer behavior shift: Buying shampoo and cold brew online 10:55 – How easy is it to launch a supplement? (Hint: very) 12:21 – AI-powered product recommendations based on your brand 13:27 – No inventory, no problem: How Supliful's model works 14:21 – Already selling skincare or supplements? Here's why it still makes sense 15:11 – Hot categories for 2026: Coffee, functional products, and more 16:00 – Niche targeting with broad-market products 16:29 – Case Study: From 20 to 20,000 orders per month 18:16 – Why quality and transparency are non-negotiable 20:00 – Why now is the time to add recurring products 21:19 – Final thoughts: This is a win-win-win model 22:28 – Outro: Rate, review, and thank you for listening! 🙌 Call to Action Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to support the show: 📢 Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Have feedback? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

🎙️ Episode 246: Beyond Andromeda: 4 Meta Ad Updates Every Marketer Needs to Know Episode Description Everyone's talking about the Meta Andromeda update like it's the only thing that matters. But in this power-packed solo episode, Smart Marketer Agency CEO Pep Hufen breaks down four essential Meta updates that are redefining ad performance and why focusing on just one is a costly mistake. "These aren't small changes or tweaks. They completely rebuild the ad system from the ground up." - Pep Hufen Pep explains how each update; GEM, Lattice, Andromeda and Sequence Learning, works individually and together as one powerful AI-driven system. Whether you're an agency pro or eComm brand owner, you'll learn how to adapt your strategy now to win big in the new Meta landscape. 🚀 You Will Learn: Why the Meta Andromeda update is only 25% of what really matters How GEM gives Meta "superbrain" insights that predict user behavior What Meta Lattice is and how it boosts conversions with unified learning How Sequence Learning turns one-time buyers into loyal customers The tactical playbook for adapting your campaigns in 2025 Why you're no longer competing on product, but on understanding the entire buyer journey 🔗 Links & Resources: Meta's Official Documentation on the 4 Updates  • Meta Andromeda: Next-Gen Personalized Ads Retrieval Engine  • Sequence Learning: A Paradigm Shift for Personalized Ads  • Meta Lattice: AI, Ads, and Performance  • Meta GEM Overview via Social Discovery Insights Andromeda Deep Dive Episode (Pep reference)  Podcast version  YouTube version Pep Hufen – Instagram @pep.hufen Omnisend Email & SMS Platform – smartmarketer.com/omnisend  Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months SmartMarketer.com ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro by Anthony: 4 Updates That Are Redefining Meta Ads 02:12 – Pep's Hot Take: Why Andromeda is Only One Piece of the Puzzle 02:56 – Update 1: GEM – Meta's AI Superbrain for Prediction and Targeting 03:42 – Update 2: Lattice – Unified Learning Across Campaign Objectives 04:32 – Update 3: Andromeda – 10,000x More Targeting Power 06:00 – Update 4: Sequence Learning – Mapping the Entire Buyer's Journey 08:31 – Tactical Breakdown: How to Build for Each System 09:28 – The Shift from Product to Full-Journey Strategy 10:12 – The Playbook: What You Need to Do Now 11:07 – Outro and Engagement Reminder 📣 Your Engagement Matters If this episode opened your eyes to what's really happening with Meta ads, do us a favor: ✅ Follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share the episode and tag us with #WeOutHere 💬 Got feedback? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 245: Smart Marketer Live 2025 Recap (with Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier) Episode Description "We knew we wanted the best information out there in the space, that's a given, but we wanted this to feel like a family atmosphere." - Molly Pittman In this episode, Molly and Zach Dampier take you behind the scenes of Smart Marketer Live 2025 from packed roundtables and unforgettable presentations to Denver bowling nights and real-life connections that made it all magic. Whether you were there or tuning in from afar, this recap captures the insight, energy, and community that made Smart Marketer Live 2025 unforgettable.     You Will Learn: • Why Smart Marketer Live is unlike any other marketing event • How the roundtable sessions created powerful business breakthroughs • The smartest way to gather testimonials and social proof • What Molly learned from Meta and TikTok Shop insiders • The secret to running high-impact content collection on-site • Why this event is a must-attend for remote marketers and entrepreneurs     LINKS & RESOURCES: • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com • Mentor Table Mastermind – https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table • Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com • Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue – https://www.instagram.com/fieldsoffreedomrescue • Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend • Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months • YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT     TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Welcome and What to Expect 03:55 – Behind the Scenes: Content Creation, Testimonials, and Team Wins 07:08 – Why Live Events Still Matter (and What Made This One Special) 08:41 – Session Highlights: TikTok Shop, Meta Ads, Tactical Baby Gear 09:45 – Roundtable Strategy and Why It Was a Game-Changer 11:00 – Real Talk at the Social Media Table: Misconceptions and Wins 13:46 – The Vibe: Parties, Friendships, and Unexpected Connections 18:50 – What's Next: Tickets for 2026 and Speaker Interviews Coming Soon 20:30 – What's Next: Interviews With Speakers from SML25     YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to: ✅ Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts: Click Here 📲 Share this episode on social and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Got feedback? Email us at [email protected] Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. 🎉

Episode 244: The 60-Minute Email Fix for Q4 Wins (with John Grimshaw, CMO of Smart Marketer) Episode Description "Email isn't dead, it's your fastest path to real profit this Q4." In this episode, John Grimshaw lays out the exact email strategies Smart Marketer is using to maximize results during the busiest time of the year. Learn how to supercharge your automations, craft high-converting messages, and prep your brand for holiday success without spending weeks rewriting flows. You'll also hear about a game-changing new feature in ChatGPT that's set to shake up eCommerce as we know it: instant checkout. Plus, John shares the highest-performing email format Smart Marketer is using right now (spoiler: it's plain-text and insanely effective). This is your 60-minute checklist for higher conversions, better inboxing, and more sales fast. ✅ You Will Learn: Why email automation is 25x more profitable than broadcasts (and most brands neglect it) How to update your top 3 flows in under an hour: Welcome, Cart Abandon, Product Abandon The new "Instant Checkout" inside ChatGPT and why you must optimize for it The single email style outperforming all others: the Founder Email How to bundle products for better margins and ChatGPT discoverability Why design-heavy emails can hurt your deliverability, and what to do instead 🔗 Links & Resources Omnisend (Email & SMS Platform) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Free Prompt: Plain-Text Founder Email See below for the full prompt shared in the episode Smart Marketer Blog & Resources – smartmarketer.com/blog Smart Marketer YouTube – Andromeda Update Video – Watch here Support & Feedback – [email protected] 🕒 Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Intro: What's in this episode 01:54 – "Profit leaks" in your Q4 email strategy 03:25 – Email is not dead: It's more powerful than ever 06:06 – Email = telling your best friends what to do 08:14 – Automation is 25x more profitable (and ignored) 09:13 – Where to focus first in your flows 10:38 – This Just In: Instant checkout now inside ChatGPT 13:00 – ChatGPT's impact on eCom gifting & bundles 15:43 – Optimize product feeds + create AI-friendly bundles 20:17 – Your 60-minute action plan: 3 automation updates 22:40 – Flow #1: Welcome – what to fix fast 25:48 – Flow #2: Cart Abandon – how to speed it up 28:24 – Flow #3: Product Abandon – recommendations that convert 30:01 – The "one page" traffic strategy for BFCM 32:02 – Why Smart Marketer switched to Omnisend 34:12 – The power of plain-text: Founder Email breakdown 36:35 – Real campaign results from Founder Emails 38:51 – Best practices: subject, tone, structure, CTA 39:39 – The ChatGPT Founder Email Prompt (full version) 42:00 – Why hybrid email design (text + visuals) wins 43:33 – Real brand case study: doubling email revenue 45:16 – Optimize for inboxing: deliverability > design 46:03 – Full checklist: what to do in the next 60 minutes 47:32 – Closing thoughts & CTA to share the show 📄 The ChatGPT Founder Email Prompt  Plain-Text Founder Email Prompt Write a plain-text "Founder Email" for my brand during Q4. Make it sound personal, human, and conversational, like a message from the founder to a loyal customer. Keep it under 200 words, with one clear CTA and no images or fancy design. Include: A warm opening (gratitude, reflection, or behind-the-scenes note). A short story or insight that builds connection. A simple offer or bonus (e.g., stackable discount or early access). A friendly close with light urgency ("ends soon" / "thank you for supporting us"). Tone: Authentic, human, and direct — like a Gmail message from a friend. Goal: Drive clicks through trust and relatability, not polish or visuals. Output Format: • Subject: [5–7 words, personal & curious] • From: [Founder Name at Brand] • Body: Ask me any questions to help make the results stronger. 📣 Call to Action Enjoyed this episode? Do us a favor: Follow & Subscribe to The Smart Marketer Show on your favorite podcast platform. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social and tag us @smartmarketer using #WeOutHere Send your founder email draft to [email protected] for feedback 🚀 Email isn't dead, it just needs your attention. Take 60 minutes, follow the plan, and set yourself up for the best Q4 yet.