The Smart Marketer Podcast

Smart Marketer
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Join hosts Molly Pittman, Ezra Firestone, and John Grimshaw as they share their proven paths to success (for your business, brand, and personal life). These Veteran marketers and educators have taught thousands of business owners how to build, manage, and scale successful companies (while growing their own multi-million dollar brands). This weekly podcast will blend tactical marketing tips and strategies with helpful insight and personal stories. This podcast will help you 'Serve the world unselfishly and profit.'

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 265: The Merchandising Calendar Blueprint: Turn Email & SMS Into 30–40% of Your Revenue

    Episode Description Most eCommerce brands are obsessed with traffic. But what if the real growth lever isn't more clicks? What if it's better monetization of the audience you already have? In this special training, originally delivered live in partnership with Omnisend, Ezra Firestone breaks down the exact framework he uses across his 8-figure brands to turn email and SMS into 30–40% of total revenue. This episode goes far beyond "send more emails." You'll learn how to structure a merchandising calendar with major campaigns, micro-offers, product launches, live events, and strategic content that keeps revenue flowing all year long while building a more valuable business asset you can eventually sell. If you care about profit, retention, and long-term brand equity, this is required listening. "Email and SMS are king and queen of revenue, and they should really account for 30 to 40% of your total sales. And if they're not… you got work to do." – Ezra Firestone You Will Learn: • Why email and SMS should drive 30–40% of your total revenue • The real difference between major campaigns and micro-offers • How to structure a merchandising calendar that creates predictable revenue spikes • Why most brands under-promote and how to fix it • The highest-performing eCommerce promotions including BOGOs, bundles, and threshold offers • How to use product launches even when you are not launching something new • When and how to use SMS during campaigns • How to increase average order value with bundles, basket builders, and one-click upsells • A proven email layout structure that increases clicks and reduces unsubscribes • How to use AI to scale content creation without losing brand voice Links & Resources Omnisend Special Offer for Smart Marketer Listeners https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Smart Marketer https://smartmarketer.com Zipify Apps https://zipify.com Timestamps 00:00:20 Introduction: Building a More Valuable Business Asset 00:01:14 Why Ezra Trusts Omnisend for Email and SMS 00:02:17 The Real Game: Wealth Creation Through Asset Building 00:07:22 Inside a $10M eCommerce P&L 00:10:32 Why Email and SMS Are King and Queen of Revenue 00:15:35 Email vs. SMS Conversion Rates Explained 00:17:04 The eCommerce Ecosystem from Traffic to Retention 00:23:17 What a Merchandising Calendar Really Is 00:25:59 Major Campaigns vs. Micro Offers 00:27:40 Why Product Launches Prevent Revenue Plateaus 00:31:51 Examples of Major Campaign Structures 00:34:55 How to Run High-Converting Micro Offers 00:36:21 Launching Products Without Creating Something New 00:40:22 When to Use SMS in Your Campaigns 00:41:14 The Types of Content That Build Trust and Drive Sales 00:46:44 Black Friday Cyber Monday Breakdown 00:48:09 Increasing AOV with Bundles and Basket Builders 00:52:29 Promoting Across Every Channel 00:56:13 The Proven Email Structure 00:59:42 Campaign Communication Frameworks 01:00:26 Why You Should Not Ignore the Shop App 01:01:10 Final Strategy Recap 01:02:28 Outro YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! If this episode helped you rethink how you approach email, SMS, and merchandising, share it with another founder or marketer who needs it. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407 Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Questions or feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

    1h 3m

  2. 25 FEB

    Episode 264: The Next Big Ad Platform? How AppLovin Is Quietly Scaling eCommerce Brands

    Episode 264: The Next Big Ad Platform? How AppLovin Is Quietly Scaling eCommerce Brands Episode Description There's a new advertising channel with over a billion daily users and most eCommerce brands haven't tested it yet. In this episode, Pep Hufen, CEO of Smart Marketer Agency, breaks down why AppLovin's Axon Ads platform is becoming one of the fastest growing acquisition channels for DTC brands. Opened to eCommerce in 2024, this mobile gaming network is already helping brands scale from a few hundred dollars a day to thousands, sometimes in a matter of weeks. Pep explains what makes Axon different from Meta and TikTok, why mobile gaming audiences convert differently, how the AI optimization works, and exactly how to structure your first campaigns. "Here's the reality. Every advertising platform has a window of opportunity in the beginning where it's wide open and Axon is in that spot right now." – Pep Hufen If you're always looking for the next scalable growth channel before it gets crowded, this episode is for you. You Will Learn Why AppLovin has "over a billion daily users" and why the audience "skews towards women in their thirties and forties." How Axon delivers "35 seconds of undivided attention." Why "80% of the conversions happen within one hour after someone clicks on your ads." The three things that make this platform different: "the ad format, the user psychology and the AI technology behind it." When to choose ROAS vs. cost per purchase (CPP). Why you should "launch it and don't touch it for seven days." How to scale budgets "30 to 40% every two to three days." The three levers to pull when performance drops: "creative, the offer or the landing page." Why "creative is your biggest lever." Links & Resources Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Agency – https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months Timestamps 00:16 – Introduction: "The biggest new advertising opportunity since the early days of Facebook ads." 02:19 – "There's a new advertising platform with over a billion daily users…" 03:13 – Why Mobile Games Are Bigger Than You Think 04:05 – Who the Audience Really Is 04:57 – Scaling from "300 a day to 3000 a day in about 30 days" 05:59 – "35 seconds of undivided attention" 08:19 – Why Most Clicks Happen on the End Card 09:09 – User Psychology: Relaxed vs. Doom Scrolling 11:00 – How to Set Up Your First Campaign 12:41 – ROAS vs. CPP 15:48 – Optimization Window Strategy 16:33 – Budget Setup and the 7 Day Rule 18:49 – Creative Set Structure 21:13 – Reading Performance and Attribution 22:42 – Scaling Budgets "30 to 40% every two to three days" 24:09 – When It's Not Working: "Creative is your biggest lever." 24:56 – Why the Window Is Open Right Now YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you so much for listening to the Smart Marketer Podcast. If you enjoyed what we shared today, please help us by subscribing to the show. Not only will you be notified when we have new content, it also helps get the show out to many more people. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a fellow marketer who's looking for the next scalable growth channel. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

    27 min

  3. 18 FEB

    Episode 263: Shopify's Product Network: The Quiet Update That Could Change E-Commerce Forever

    Episode Description Shopify just released a feature that most brands have not noticed yet, but it could completely change how eCommerce stores grow, monetize traffic, and increase conversion rates. In this episode, Pep Hufen, CEO of Smart Marketer Agency, breaks down Shopify's new Product Network, a system that lets your store sell other brands' products directly inside your own site without inventory, fulfillment, or losing the customer relationship. "This isn't an ad network. Shopify is building an ecosystem flywheel." - Pep Hufen If you run a Shopify store or work with brands that do, this is a must-listen. You Will Learn How Shopify's Product Network actually works and why it is not an affiliate program How to monetize lost intent when shoppers search for products you do not carry Why this feature can increase conversion rate, average order value, and ROAS without more ad spend How Shopify is positioning itself as the anti-Amazon Why collaborative commerce beats marketplaces for brand owners What early adopters can do now to gain a compounding advantage Links & Resources Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartmarketerig Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Prefer video? Watch Pep Hufen explain Shopify's Product Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAvm3eu-B0Q Omnisend (Smart Marketer Exclusive Offer): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50 percent off your first three months Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00:17 Introduction and why Shopify's update matters 00:01:21 What this change means for Shopify brands 00:01:32 Sponsor message and Omnisend recommendation 00:02:35 What Shopify's Product Network is and what it is not 00:03:19 How selling products you do not carry works 00:04:06 Why this is not an ad network 00:05:00 Shopify's real goal and fixing eCommerce leakage 00:05:53 Turning lost intent into new revenue 00:06:43 Increasing the value of every paid click 00:07:36 Why Amazon cannot replicate this model 00:08:27 The three flywheel loops powering the Product Network 00:09:16 What this changes for your catalog strategy 00:10:03 Why customer ownership stays with the host store 00:10:56 Why early movers will capture the biggest advantage 00:11:06 Final thoughts and closing Your Engagement Matters Thank you for listening to the Smart Marketer Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, share the episode with a fellow Shopify brand owner, and tag us on social using #SmartMarketerPodcast. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

    12 min

  4. 11 FEB

    Episode 262: Why Most Meta Ads Fail: The 7 Psychological Layers Behind Scalable Campaigns

    Episode Description Most advertisers think Meta ads fail because of creative, targeting, or algorithm changes. That's not the real reason. In this episode, Pep Hufen breaks down what's actually driving ad performance beneath the surface, ancient brain programs that have been hardwired into human psychology for over two million years. You'll learn how evolution, emotion, and identity shape buying decisions in under 400 milliseconds, and how to use this insight to build ads that feel predictable, scalable, and profitable. "Success isn't random. It's structural. It's psychological. And now it's predictable." -Pep Hufen You Will Learn (Key Takeaways) • The 8 evolutionary drivers that influence every buying decision • Why features and benefits don't sell, but survival, status, and belonging do • How ancient survival programs turn into modern emotional buying triggers • The identity based consumption model behind premium brands • Why Meta users decide to buy in under 400 milliseconds • A 7 layer framework to diagnose exactly why your ads aren't scaling • How to match messaging to the correct awareness level • Why creative amplifies psychology but cannot replace it • How friction silently kills conversion rates and how to remove it Links & Resources • Smart Marketer – https://www.smartmarketer.com/ • Smart Marketer on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/smartmarketerig • Prefer video? Watch Pep Hufen explain the full psychology behind scalable Meta ads here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kgm6NHDFEk • Omnisend (Smart Marketer Exclusive Offer) – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50 percent off your first 3 months Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00:14 – Why Most Meta Ads Fail (And What Advertisers Miss) 00:01:20 – Omnisend: The Email and SMS Platform Smart Marketer Trusts 00:02:24 – The Real Reason Facebook Ads Stop Working 00:03:07 – Why Ads Cannot Fix a Broken Offer 00:03:57 – The 8 Ancient Survival Drivers Behind Every Purchase 00:05:45 – How Evolution Turns Into Emotional Buying Triggers 00:06:45 – Identity Based Consumption Explained 00:07:35 – The 3 Identity Layers That Drive Sales 00:08:22 – How Meta Ads Trigger Decisions in 400 Milliseconds 00:09:15 – Why Logic Loses to Emotion on Social Platforms 00:09:45 – The 7 Layer Meta Ad Framework Overview 00:10:00 – Case Study: SweetFlex Repositioning for Scale 00:10:50 – Awareness Levels and Messaging Misses 00:12:27 – Why Creative Amplifies Psychology 00:13:15 – Why Sleep Supplements Sell and Magnesium Doesn't 00:14:04 – The Formula Behind Predictable Meta Scaling 00:14:51 – "Success isn't random. It's structural. It's psychological. And now it's predictable." 00:15:40 – Final Takeaway: Making Meta Predictable Again Call to Action (CTA) Your support keeps the Smart Marketer Podcast growing. If this episode changed how you think about Meta ads: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere Questions or feedback? Email support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

    17 min

  5. 4 FEB

    Episode 261: Overview of 2026

    Ep. 261 - 2026 Marketing Outlook: Vulnerability, AI, & Finding Your Edge Episode Description What will it take to grow and compete in 2026? In this high-energy kickoff episode, Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier share the five BIG themes shaping the year ahead - from AI-powered marketing tools to new ad platforms, and the rising importance of raw, real storytelling. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what Smart Marketer is launching (including a dog supplement brand), plus actionable strategies to future-proof your business and cut through the noise in an AI-saturated landscape. "The more that AI ramps up, the more that we as marketers and business owners need to lean into vulnerability, into being real, into telling long, genuine stories in our marketing message, because that is what's going to help consumers realize that we are real people, that you can know, like, and trust." – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: Why vulnerability-driven storytelling is your superpower in an AI world How to thrive in a saturated market (yes, even in 2026) The new ad channel Smart Marketer is going all-in on (hint: it's not Meta) What AI search ads mean for marketers and what to expect from ChatGPT ads The number one way to cut costs (and boost profit) in your eCommerce business this year Sneak peek: Smart Marketer's new AI tool, Meta Ads class, and pet supplement brand Links & Resources: Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Show – smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show Smart Marketer YouTube – youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT Fields of Freedom – fofdogrescue.com Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Welcome + What This Episode Is All About 02:28 - Behind the Scenes: New Tools, Brands & Projects at Smart Marketer 06:32 - Theme 1: Vulnerability Over AI - Why Realness Wins in 2026 09:14 - Long-Form Storytelling: The New Edge in Advertising 11:53 - Theme 2: There's Still Room in Saturated Markets (Seriously) 14:03 - Molly's Mindset Shift: "You're Not Too Late" 16:26 - Theme 3: A New Ad Channel That's Actually Working - AppLovin 20:42 - Real Results: Why Smart Marketer is Betting Big on AppLovin 21:50 - Theme 4: AI Search & The Future of ChatGPT Ads 24:32 - AI Tools, Maintenance & Training: Staying Relevant in 2026 26:14 - Theme 5: Reduce Costs in Your Tech Stack (Without Sacrificing Power) 28:40 - Action Step: Review Your Subscriptions and Tools This Quarter 29:51 - Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts and What's Ahead for Smart Marketer Your Engagement Matters Thanks for listening to The Smart Marketer Podcast If you enjoyed the episode, please: Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share the episode on social media and tag us @smartmarketer Got feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

    32 min

  6. 28 JAN

    Episode 260: Creative Is the New Currency: Winning Smart Marketer Ad Strategies for 2026

    Episode 260: Creative Is the New Currency: Winning Smart Marketer Ad Strategies for 2026 Episode Description In this tactical episode, Molly Pittman breaks down everything you need to know to stay competitive in 2026, including why your creative could be costing you 50% more (or less). You'll learn the new campaign structures, targeting tactics, and why Smart Marketer Agency is moving away from media buyers and toward paid performance specialists. "If you have really bad creative that's not well thought out, you are haphazardly using AI, you are not thinking about foundational marketing principles, you could be paying 50% more than your competition that is actually doing creative right." – Molly Pittman Whether you're testing with a small budget or scaling aggressively, this episode will help you make smarter creative decisions. You Will Learn • Why "creative is the new targeting" • The 50% creative cost multiplier and how to earn it • Two proven campaign structures that are working right now • What the "Andromeda" update means for your strategy • Why weekly cadence beats daily changes • When to use seven-day click vs one-day click attribution • How to test new ads without killing your winners • The difference between scaling momentum and resetting a failing account Links & Resources: • Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com • Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com • Smart Marketer Show – smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show • Ad Creative Class ($49) – smartmarketer.com/ad-creative-class • OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why Meta Ads Have Changed More Than Ever 02:10 – The 50% Creative Cost Multiplier (Straight From Meta) 06:14 – Creative Is the New Targeting 09:33 – How Meta is Indexing Your Ads, Pages, and Even Accents 10:43 – Breaking News: ChatGPT Ads Are Coming 13:59 – The Real Impact of the Andromeda Update 15:15 – Advantage+ Sales, Broad Audiences, and Simplified Structure 20:33 – Campaign Structure: One Campaign Per Objective 22:44 – How to Segment by Avatar and Build for Scale 24:36 – Top of Funnel Setup: Creative Counts, Exclusions Matter 27:47 – Creative Strategy: 15–20 Unique Concepts, Not Variations 29:46 – Creative Testing Do's and Don'ts for 2026 32:54 – Why Weekly Cadence Outperforms Daily Changes 35:02 – Attribution Strategy: When to Use 7-Day vs 1-Day Click 37:22 – Summary: Molly's Updated 2026 Smart Marketer Strategy 38:20 – Bonus: Behind the Scenes of Longer Together (New Brand Launch) 41:37 – The Two Scaling Approaches: Forrest Gump vs Andromeda 47:02 – Case Study: Scaling From $5K to $35K a Day 50:09 – Case Study: Clean Ease Goes from Struggling to Best Month Ever 54:19 – Reminder: Creative Quality Is Everything Your Engagement Matters If you enjoyed this episode, please: • Follow or subscribe to the show • Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts • Share it with your fellow marketers • Visit us at smartmarketer.com for more free resources Serve the world unselfishly and profit.

    1h 1m

  7. 21 JAN

    Episode 259: A Product Alone Won't Save You

    Episode 259: A Product Alone Won't Save You (with John Grimshaw, Colleen Taylor, Adam Von Rothfelder & Parker Hilton) Episode Description You can have the best product in the world, but if you're not integrating it with the right brand identity, presentation, and customer insight, it's not going to win. In this behind-the-scenes episode from the Smart Business Systems course, you'll hear the real story of how the GigaLabs team launched a nootropic product in just 8 weeks, from nothing but a brand idea to standing out on the global stage. This episode features a dynamic conversation between Smart Marketer's John Grimshaw, Boom's Colleen Taylor, Strong Coffee CEO Adam Von Rothfelder, and Parker Hilton of GigaLabs. If you're looking to build products that actually sell, this one's a masterclass. "A product alone won't save you. It has to be about the integration of the product, the brand image, and the way you're presenting it, with a real understanding of the customer." – John Grimshaw You Will Learn: Why a strong product means nothing without the right branding and positioning How GigaLabs launched in just 8 weeks with an unforgettable customer experience The power of emotional connection and understanding your audience Real-world product launch lessons you can apply in your own business How visual branding, packaging, and even outfits helped GigaLabs go viral Why new products are the lifeblood of DTC brands Links & Resources: Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Product Creation Course – smartmarketer.com/smart-product-creation Adam Von Rothfelder – linkedin.com/in/vonrothfelder GigaLabs – gigalabs.com Strong Coffee Company – strongcoffeecompany.com OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Why product alone isn't enough 01:09 Ezra Firestone on why Smart Marketer uses OmniSend 02:23 Meet the Team: Parker, Colleen, John & Adam 04:05 From brand idea to live product in 8 weeks 05:20 Reworking the brand identity from "sleepy" to "vibrant" 06:48 The pivot: From nothing to GigaLabs 09:53 How GigaLabs targeted the D-gen crypto audience 12:21 Building emotional connection with your ideal customer 13:15 The power of physical presentation: The GigaBoy jumpsuits 15:41 What brands can learn from standout Expo activations 17:03 Attention to detail: From Pantone palettes to packaging 18:07 Why GigaLabs inspired this course 19:42 John Grimshaw's Golden Rule: A product alone won't save you 20:19 Building a brand flywheel & strong product feedback loops 21:03 Final thoughts on loyalty, purpose & what's next Call to Action If this episode inspired you to rethink how you bring products to life, let us know. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts – Click Here Share this episode and tag us @smartmarketer using the hashtag #WeOutHere Got feedback? We'd love to hear it: support@smartmarketer.com

    22 min

  8. 14 JAN

    Episode 258: From Doer to Delegator – How to Build a Business That Scales Without Burning Out

    Episode 258: From Doer to Delegator – How to Build a Business That Scales Without Burning Out Episode Description What's the real secret to growth that doesn't lead to burnout? In this powerful conversation from our Smart Business Systems course, CMO John Grimshaw and BOOM! Beauty's Director of Operations Colleen Taylor unpack the mindset shift every entrepreneur must make to scale: letting go of doing it all. You'll learn how to build systems, empower your team, and transition from task-master to true leader. "If you get to the end of a project and you say, 'I did a great job, I can't name a single other person that worked on it [...] you're holding too much.'" – John Grimshaw Whether you're building your first team or stepping into a leadership role, this episode will help you grow your business and create more freedom for yourself. You Will Learn Why "A Players" aren't found, they're made through smart hiring and support How to delegate effectively without losing control Where to find the right people (hint: it's closer than you think) Simple onboarding and training tips that set your team up to win The mindset shift that allows leaders to grow without burnout Why giving away your "small" tasks opens up big opportunities Links & Resources Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Business Systems Course – smartmarketer.com/smart-business-systems BOOM! Beauty – boombeauty.com Omnisend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months) Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome: How to Scale Without Burning Out 02:01 – The Real Secret to Scaling: Recruiting People to the Cause 04:11 – "A Players" vs. People Who Bring Their A-Game 06:07 – Where to Find Great People (Hint: Weak Connections) 10:57 – Hiring for Growth: Promoting from Within 13:16 – Spotting Hidden Talent Inside Your Team 17:25 – Creating a Culture of Learning & Ongoing Education 21:35 – The 80/20 Rule of Growth: Input vs. Output 24:28 – Smart Onboarding: Building Connection from Day 1 26:02 – The Leadership Shift: From Doing to Delegating 29:04 – The Power of Giving Away Ownership 33:09 – Supporting Your Own Growth as a Leader 36:22 – Managing the Managers: Why John Gave Up His "Keys" 40:08 – Final Thoughts: Buy Help, Buy Freedom Your Engagement Matters If this episode helped you shift your mindset or think differently about leadership, we'd love your support: Follow and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social and tag us — use #WeOutHere Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

    41 min
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About

Join hosts Molly Pittman, Ezra Firestone, and John Grimshaw as they share their proven paths to success (for your business, brand, and personal life). These Veteran marketers and educators have taught thousands of business owners how to build, manage, and scale successful companies (while growing their own multi-million dollar brands). This weekly podcast will blend tactical marketing tips and strategies with helpful insight and personal stories. This podcast will help you 'Serve the world unselfishly and profit.'

Information

  • Creator
    Smart Marketer
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    268
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2023
  • Show Website
    The Smart Marketer Podcast

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