Ecommerce Society Podcast

Crystalynn Shelton, a QuickBooks expert and CPA, shares valuable insights on using QuickBooks effectively for small businesses. She emphasizes the importance of proper training and avoiding common mistakes in QuickBooks. Crystalynn also provides tips for overcoming the fear of numbers and offers advice for DIY bookkeeping. She highlights the significance of staying on track with QuickBooks and setting up for success in the new year. Additionally, Crystalynn discusses how e-commerce businesses can leverage QuickBooks and provides information on where to find her and her services.

Takeaways

Proper training is essential for using QuickBooks effectively. Seek guidance from someone knowledgeable in the software to avoid common mistakes.

Don't be afraid of numbers. Understanding your business's financials is crucial for success. Simplify bookkeeping terminology to make it more accessible.

If you're not comfortable with bookkeeping, consider outsourcing to a professional. They can handle the tasks and provide valuable insights into your business's financial health.

Automate your bookkeeping as much as possible by connecting your bank and credit card accounts to QuickBooks. Use the QuickBooks app to easily track and categorize receipts.

Schedule regular time to review and reconcile your QuickBooks data. This will help you stay on top of your business's financials and make informed decisions.

Meet with a tax planner to ensure you're taking advantage of all available deductions and tax advantages for your business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 The Importance of Proper Training in QuickBooks

06:00 Common Mistakes in QuickBooks

10:00 Overcoming the Fear of Numbers

13:00 Tips for DIY Bookkeeping

16:00 Keeping on Track with QuickBooks

19:00 Setting Up for Success in the New Year

29:00 Leveraging QuickBooks for E-commerce Businesses

32:00 Where to Find Crystalynn Shelton and Her Services

36:00 Conclusion

https://www.crystalynnshelton.com/podcasts 

[email protected] 

https://www.crystalynnshelton.com

/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalynn.shelton.5/ 

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalynn-shelton-cpa-0943699 5/ 

Twitter: @CrystalynnPens 

Instagram: @Crystalynn Shelton

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

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In this episode, Kerrie discusses the decision-making process of DIYing versus hiring for various aspects of a business. She highlights the importance of knowing when to DIY and when to hire, considering factors such as time, expertise, and budget. Kerrie explores the pros and cons of both approaches, emphasizing the need for effective communication with service providers and the potential pitfalls of choosing the cheapest option. She shares personal experiences with DIYing a website and investing in visual branding, providing valuable insights and lessons learned.

Takeaways

Consider your business goals, budget, and available time when deciding whether to DIY or hire for a task.

DIYing can save money and provide an opportunity to learn new skills, but it may result in subpar results and wasted time.

Hiring professionals can save time, ensure quality results, and provide expertise, but it comes at a cost.

Beware of choosing the cheapest option, as it may lead to unsatisfactory outcomes.

Effective communication with service providers is crucial to ensure your vision is understood and implemented correctly.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: DIYing vs Hiring

02:12 Knowing When to DIY and When to Hire

03:38 Pros and Cons of DIYing

08:12 Pros and Cons of Hiring

14:26 The Challenges of DIYing a Website

20:36 The Importance of Investing in Visual Branding

22:55 The Pitfalls of Choosing the Cheapest Option

26:31 The Importance of Effective Communication with Service Providers

28:20 Finding the Right Balance in Pricing

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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In this conversation, Kerrie and Julie discuss Julie's entrepreneurial journey, including her experience starting and selling Sparkle Hustle Grow, an entrepreneurship subscription box. They also explore Julie's current ventures, such as coaching and her new Amazon business. The conversation highlights the importance of pivoting and diversifying revenue streams in entrepreneurship. Julie shares her insights on separating personal identity from brand identity and the value of treating a brand as a persona. The conversation concludes with Julie's plans for the future and where to find her online.

Takeaways

Pivoting and diversifying revenue streams can be important for entrepreneurs who are looking for new challenges or opportunities.

Separating personal identity from brand identity can help entrepreneurs transition and sell their businesses.

Treating a brand as a persona can help create a distinct and memorable identity in the market.

Exploring new product ideas and platforms can be an exciting way to continue learning and growing as an entrepreneur.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Connection

02:21 Julie's Background and Entrepreneurial Journey

06:18 Starting Sparkle Hustle Grow

12:34 Selling Sparkle Hustle Grow and Transitioning

20:37 Julie's Current Ventures and Diversifying Revenue Streams

28:40 Exploring New Product Ideas

35:03 Separating Personal Identity from Brand Identity

36:15 Future Plans and Where to Find Julie

https://www.subscriptionboxbasics.com. 

www.instagram.com/subscriptionboxbasics

www.subscriptionboxbasics.com/launch Julie’s subscription box course

[email protected]

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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In this episode, Kerrie discusses the opportunity for brand visibility through subscription boxes. She explains what subscription boxes are and how they can be a marketing opportunity rather than just a sales opportunity. Kerrie emphasizes the importance of branding and providing a clear call to action in subscription box products. She also shares tips on finding subscription boxes to pitch to and common mistakes to avoid in the pitching and negotiation process. In this episode, Kerrie shares valuable insights on how to get your products into subscription boxes. She highlights the importance of negotiating on price and being flexible with pricing to make your products more appealing. Kerrie also emphasizes the need to customize your pitch for each subscription box, showcasing your understanding of their audience and offering exclusive ideas. She suggests leveraging marketing as a negotiation tactic, offering to promote the brand in exchange for better pricing. Kerrie provides practical tips for pitching, including following the subscription box on social media and making short, targeted pitches.

Takeaways

Be willing to negotiate on price and be flexible with pricing to make your products more appealing to subscription boxes.

Customize your pitch for each subscription box, demonstrating your understanding of their audience and offering exclusive ideas.

Leverage marketing as a negotiation tactic, offering to promote the brand in exchange for better pricing.

Make short and targeted pitches, focusing on the subscription box and their audience rather than your own story.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Question Submission Form

02:24 Deep Dive into Subscription Boxes

04:37 What is a Subscription Box?

06:23 Opportunity for Brand Visibility

09:08 Different Types of Subscription Boxes

10:24 Best Suited Products for Subscription Boxes

11:48 Mistakes in Pitching and Negotiating

51:50 Mistake: Not willing to negotiate on price

53:10 Stand out by customizing your pitch

55:28 Negotiating with marketing as leverage

57:27 Being scrappy and figureoutable

59:42 Leveraging marketing and creating exclusivity

01:00:10 Easy ways to pitch

01:02:08 Making a short and effective pitch

01:07:35 Summary: How to get into subscription boxes

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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Hey there, fellow e-commerce enthusiasts! 👋 Ready to turbocharge your online business and send your revenue soaring? In this episode, I'm spilling the tea on how to skyrocket your average order value (AOV) and watch those sales numbers dance their way to the top!

🚀 Unlocking the Secrets of AOV: Ever wondered how to turn those browsers into buyers and get them to whip out their wallets with gusto? Look no further! I'm dishing out the three sacred keys to fattening up your bottom line: snagging new customers, coaxing old pals to splurge a little more, and the crown jewel – increasing that sweet AOV.

💡 The Power of Persuasion – It's All in the Conversion: Brace yourselves for a deep dive into the heart of e-commerce success. I'm talking about the nitty-gritty, the backbone of your online empire – your website design and conversion rates. It's where the magic happens, folks!

📦 Shipping Shenanigans and the Art of Abandoned Cart Rescues: Picture this: Your customers are all set to seal the deal, but then – bam! – those dreaded shipping costs pop up like a pesky roadblock. Fear not! I've got the ultimate playbook for you. Learn how to lure those abandoned carts back from the brink by tweaking your shipping rules and offering tantalizing free shipping thresholds. You're welcome!

Key Takeaways to Fuel Your E-commerce Odyssey:

• 🎯 Remember the Holy Trinity: New customers, bigger spends from your OG fans, and the golden goose – boosting that AOV.

So, fellow hustlers, buckle up and get ready to take your e-commerce game to stratospheric heights! Tune in now for a masterclass in moolah-making maneuvers. Let's make some digital magic happen! 🌟

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Three Ways to Make Money in Your Business

01:27 Chapter 1: Increasing Average Order Value (AOV)

03:22 Chapter 2: Analyzing Abandoned Shopping Carts

04:18 Chapter 3: The Impact of Shipping Costs on Conversion

08:07 Chapter 4: The Importance of Website Design and Conversion

10:22 Chapter 5: Focusing on Foundational Elements of E-commerce

15:24 Chapter 6: Adjusting Shipping Rules to Increase AOV

19:06 Chapter 7: Determining Average Order Value and Setting Free Shipping Threshold

23:20 Chapter 8: Creating Proper Shipping Rules and Updating Website

28:09 Conclusion: Action Steps and Feedback

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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Say whaaaat- Yes I am starting two new businesses in 2024- one is a SaaS software company that will be a game changer for ecomm brands like you and the second business is a pet business which I am So stoked to share details with you soon. 2024 is the time for me to evolve and take my 8 years of knowledge in the ecommerce space and do something truly EPIC with. In this episode I however, share how scary the unknown is, how much of a beginner I”m feeling like again which can feel scary AF and a whole host of other things I’m feeling now as I make a huge transition in my business.

Tune in- this will be a great one.

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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• Email marketing is an important owned platform and sales channel.

Grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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In this episode, Maddie McNabb shares her journey of starting a micro bakery specializing in French macarons. She discusses her background in higher education and how she discovered her passion for baking during the pandemic. Maddie talks about the challenges she faced in the early days of her business and the importance of perseverance. She also shares her marketing strategies, including email marketing, PR, and Pinterest. Maddie emphasizes the need for a well-designed website and the value of celebrating wins. She discusses the process of balancing production and marketing and her plans for scaling her business in the future. In this conversation, Maddie discusses her macaron business and her aspirations for its success. She talks about the challenges of setting up the business and the importance of proper preparation. Maddie mentions Last Crumb Cookies as an example of a successful business model. She shares her dream of having her macarons featured at Taylor Swift's birthday party. Maddie and Kerrie discuss the potential for her business to become a celebrity go-to brand. They also mention the success story of Milk Bar and Kerrie's personal experience with their products. Maddie provides information on where to find and buy her macarons, emphasizing their suitability as gifts. The conversation concludes with well wishes for Maddie's future success.

Takeaways

• Proper preparation and setup are crucial for the success of a business.

And if by the end of the episode you are convinced you need a little website makeover- grab a spot for my new done for you service- website in a day :) Click here to learn more https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

Or grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Maddieaboutcake.com

 www.instagram.com/maddieaboutcake

Grab a box of macarons for Vday! https://maddieaboutcake.com/collections/treats 

15% off your first order when you sign up for email newsletter

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Ecommerce Society podcast.

In this episode we’re serving up the "5 Do's and Don'ts of Pitching the Media" – consider it your PR survival guide with PR pro- Amy Bartko of Chatterbox.

. You'll learn how to grab those reporters' attention without stepping on any PR landmines. Plus, they'll reveal the common mistakes people make when pitching their stories, so you can avoid those cringe-worthy blunders. Timing is everything in the world of PR, and they'll share their insights on when to release your story for maximum impact. And as a bonus, they'll spill the tea on adding PR as part of your organic marketing strategy. By the end of this episode, you'll be ready to conquer the PR game with style, finesse, and a sprinkle of sass!

In this episode we cover:

1. Why pr gets  a bad rap

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

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A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

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Learn More

Let's make writing emails for your business quick & easy. A template-based membership where you receive access to a brand new *plug-and-play* email template/swipe copy each week, dozens of other pre-written emails and sequences, and other great resources such as customizable graphics to insert into your emails, $10/ a month! 

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IG - @chatterboxprandmarketing/ FB - Chatterboxprandmarketing / website chatterboxbrands.com

Gift: https://chatterbox.mykajabi.com/free

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Ecommerce Society podcast.

In this episode, I’m diving into the four fierce stages of an e-commerce funnel. First up, it's the "Awareness" stage – think of it as the virtual catwalk where you strut your stuff to grab your audience's attention. Your fabulous products need to dazzle and shine like a superstar!

Next, we sashay into the "Interest" stage. This is where you turn those curious onlookers into potential shoppers by showcasing your goods in all their glory. It's all about making them want more – like the fashionista they secretly aspire to be.

Now, darling, it's time for the "Desire" stage. Here, you fan the flames of desire, making them crave your products like the latest trend. It's like turning window shoppers into VIPs at the most exclusive boutique in town!

Finally, we hit the "Action" stage, where it's all about closing the deal. Your customers are primed and ready to click that "Buy Now" button faster than you can say "retail therapy." It's the grand finale of the e-commerce show, where you seal the deal and send them off with a fabulous purchase. Then we dive into the “Retention”stage, where you turn those customers into your brand evangelists.

Tune into the episode so you'll be strutting your stuff with a funnel that's fierce, fabulous, and undeniably profitable

And if by the end of the episode you are convinced you need a little website makeover- grab a spot for my new done for you service- website in a day :) Click here to learn more https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

Or grab my new book, Customer Obsession 

Website for you- done in a day! Learn more and to book your spot. Life’s too short for an ugly website

https://www.kerriefitzgerald.com/websiteVIP 

A 4-month group coaching program to help product-based brands reach cult-like status, increased visibility, more sales & gain die-hard loyal customers without an ounce of social media. Mentorship, Guest Experts, Trainings, Live Calls and so much more!

Join waitlist

Learn More

Let's make writing emails for your business quick & easy. A template-based membership where you receive access to a brand new *plug-and-play* email template/swipe copy each week, dozens of other pre-written emails and sequences, and other great resources such as customizable graphics to insert into your emails, $10/ a month! 

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