Episode #366 - Your Emails Are Going to Promotions - Now What?

There's a whole corner of the internet selling ecommerce founders the idea that one tiny tweak will magically make Gmail favor their emails. And the truth is: chasing that promise usually makes things worse.

In this episode, I'm sharing my hot take on Gmail tabs (Primary vs Promotions): why Promotions isn't a penalty box, why "get into Primary" became such a thing, and what actually moves the needle if you want your emails to get opened, clicked, trusted, and drive revenue — even if they live in Promotions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Gmail "Primary" vs "Promotions" really means (in plain English)

• Why Promotions is often a filing system, not a punishment

• The real reason "Primary inbox hacks" became a trend — and why they're usually a distraction

• Why engagement and recognition matter more than tab placement

• The 4 things to optimize for instead:

1. "I recognize you."

2. "You're worth opening."

3. "This is easy to read and act on."

4. "You feel human."

• When it does make sense to try for the main inbox (and when it backfires)

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/gmail-primary-inbox-promotions-tab-where-should-you-land Work with Joy Joya: https://joyjoya.com

Episode #365 - What Percentage of Revenue Should Email Marketing Drive? (Benchmarks for Ecommerce Brands)

If you've ever wondered, "Is my email program doing what it's supposed to be doing?" — you're not alone. Because everyone throws around percentages like they're universal truth… "Email should drive 30%." "No, it should be 40%." "Wait, mine is 12%… is that bad?"

🎧 In this episode, I'm making this simple and actually useful: what a healthy email revenue percentage looks like, what has to be true behind the scenes to hit 30–40%, and why this number is less about email "winning"… and more about your whole marketing system working together. We'll talk about Shopify's "green light" benchmark, why email gets credit so often (and why that's not a bad thing), and the calm way to interpret your number without spiraling — plus the simplest checklist to move it in the right direction.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ A realistic "healthy range" for email revenue % — and why it's not one-size-fits-all ✅ Shopify's ~20% "green light" benchmark (and how to use it without shame) ✅ What usually needs to be true to reach 30–40% (hint: it's not just better copy) ✅ Why email should get a lot of the credit — and the difference between interest vs intent ✅ The real question to ask: "What's our path to the list?" ✅ How to interpret your number based on where you land (under ~10–15%, ~20–30%, ~30–40%) ✅ The "not a competition" speech: paid, organic, creators, and email as one ecosystem ✅ A simple checklist to move the number: flows, list growth quality, consistency, segmentation, onsite conversion

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/what-percentage-of-revenue-should-email-drive Work with Joy Joya: https://joyjoya.com

Episode #364 - How Many Abandonment Emails Is Too Many? (Browse vs Cart vs Checkout) Every ecommerce founder I know has two fears that live side-by-side: "Don't annoy my audience"… and "Don't leave money on the table." Abandonment flows hit both fears at the exact same time.

🎧 In this episode, we're getting real (and a little playful) about abandonment emails: how many nudges is too many, why the old "rules" exist, and why the right answer changes depending on what you sell and who you're selling to. You'll learn the key differences between browse abandon, cart abandon, and checkout abandon, why cart flows are usually the longest, and the calm, logical way to test your way to more recovered revenue—without over-contacting your list.

If you've ever stared at email #4 and thought, "Are we being strategic… or are we being clingy?" — this one's for you.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ What "abandonment flows" actually include (browse, cart, checkout) — and why they're not interchangeable ✅ Why "how many touches?" depends on intent level (and which flow you're talking about) ✅ My (intentionally boring) recommendation: start with 2, earn the right to add a 3rd ✅ The benchmark to sanity-check expectations (and why "add more emails" is rarely the fix) ✅ Why cart abandon flows tend to be the longest — and checkout abandon the shortest ✅ The real goal: recover intent without sacrificing subscriber goodwill ✅ When 4–5 emails can actually make sense (higher price, higher trust, more objections) ✅ A simple testing path: what to track (placed order rate, revenue per recipient, unsubscribes/complaints) and how to iterate

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/how-many-abandonment-emails-are-too-many Work with Joy Joya: https://joyjoya.com

Episode #363 - Why "Better Design" Isn't Boosting Your Email Revenue

Every week, I watch brilliant ecommerce founders obsess over the wrong thing: the design of their emails. They zoom in on pixel spacing, shade variations, and whether the button corners feel "too round."

But here's the truth: the more you fixate on your email design, the fewer clicks you actually earn.

🎧 In this episode, I'm breaking down why email design is where good marketing goes to die—and what to focus on instead if you care about performance. You'll learn why email isn't meant to be a "brand moment," what design is actually supposed to do (hint: guide behavior), and the "Clarity First" framework that will help you stop over-tweaking and start sending emails that convert.

If you've ever thought, "My emails are pretty… so why aren't they performing?" this episode will shift how you approach design forever.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why email design isn't art direction—it's behavioral architecture ✅ What customers are really doing when they open your email (and why they're not "studying" it) ✅ The 5 jobs design must do to increase clicks (clarity, hierarchy, cognitive ease, direction, brand support) ✅ The "Clarity First" baseline layout to use for every single email ✅ What's actually optional once clarity is established (product grids, social proof, callouts, secondary CTAs) ✅ The sneaky way over-design adds friction, slows comprehension, and kills revenue ✅ Why efficient emails outperform beautiful ones—and how to build for action

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/overdesigning-emails-is-killing-your-clicks-do-this-instead

Episode #362 - The One December Email That Carries Your Brand Into the New Year

Between December 26 and the first week of January, something subtle—but powerful—happens. The holiday chaos fades, the pace slows, and your customers start imagining a new version of themselves.

And that moment? It's one of the most emotionally open windows of the entire year.

🎧 In this episode, I break down why late December is the perfect time to send one thoughtful, identity-driven email—and how this single message can keep your brand top of mind well into January and beyond. You'll learn why this isn't about promotions or urgency, what your customer is really craving during this in-between season, and how to craft an email that feels grounding, intentional, and deeply aligned with who they're becoming.

If you've ever wondered how to stay relevant after the holidays—without shouting about sales—this episode will give you a powerful new framework.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why late December is a uniquely emotional and receptive moment for your audience ✅ The real purpose of a "December transformation" email (and what it is not) ✅ How identity-driven marketing builds longer-term loyalty than promotions ✅ The five core components every December email should include ✅ Three different frameworks you can use, depending on your brand's voice and category ✅ Why this one email improves January performance across campaigns and flows ✅ How to position your brand as a trusted companion—not just a store—as customers enter a new chapter

Dive deeper with the accompanying blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/the-perfect-email-campaign-to-close-the-year-inspiring-loyalty

Episode #361 - The December Email Strategy Every Ecommerce Brand Needs BFCM brings a huge influx of first-time customers—but they're not loyal yet. Many came for a deal, were curious about your brand, or were buying a gift. Now is the critical moment where you either let them go cold… or turn them into repeat buyers who stay with you into 2026.

In this episode, Laryssa shares the exact step-by-step December + early January email strategy for transforming those once-a-year shoppers into customers who return, engage, and grow with your brand. What You'll Learn in This Episode

✓ What new customers actually need in the first 48 hours after purchasing ✓ How to use your post-purchase flow to build trust and reduce buyer's remorse ✓ The right kind of December inspiration + service emails ✓ How to guide customers through shipping deadlines (without stress) ✓ Smart ways to gather holiday UGC—even with low-social audiences ✓ Whether (and how) to send a holiday greeting message ✓ What to send in late December and January to spark self-gifting + loyalty ✓ How to introduce simple loyalty touchpoints that don't overwhelm

Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/the-real-strategy-begins-after-black-friday-cyber-monday

If your ecommerce brand is obsessing over checkout tweaks, button colors, pop-ups, and discounts—but your email marketing still feels flat—there's a deeper issue at play. And it's not friction.

It's desire.

🎧 In this episode, I break down a powerful idea inspired by Wes Kao: the difference between decreasing friction and increasing desire—and why most ecommerce brands spend all their time on the wrong one. You'll learn why smoothing out the customer journey isn't enough, what desire really looks like in action, and how to bring more of it into your email strategy starting today.

Whether your emails feel "fine but not exciting," or you're stuck in an A/B-testing spiral without real results, this episode will give you the perspective shift you've been missing.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why "making buying easier" doesn't always lead to more sales ✅ The psychology behind desire—and how customers create value in their own minds ✅ How discounts can accidentally lower your brand's perceived value ✅ The right way to use your pop-up so it sparks excitement, not bargain-hunting ✅ How desire transforms your Welcome Series and email storytelling ✅ The two levers every email uses: reducing friction vs. increasing desire ✅ Why the best-performing brands master both—and how you can too

Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/strategic-shift-how-to-inspire-desire-to-buy-your-products

If Shopify is the body of your ecommerce business, Klaviyo's the heartbeat — connecting data, customers, and sales. But does every brand actually need it? Or is Klaviyo just the industry's favorite buzzword?

🎧 In this episode, I'm breaking down what Klaviyo really is (in human language), why so many ecommerce brands swear by it, when it makes sense to use it, and when it might be more than you need. Whether you're weighing a platform switch or simply tired of hearing conflicting opinions, this episode will give you clarity—minus the hype.

💡 In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ What Klaviyo actually does beyond newsletters ✅ Why its Shopify integration is a true game-changer ✅ The flows that reliably drive revenue while you sleep ✅ When Klaviyo is the right fit — and when it's not ✅ How pricing really works (and why it's not as expensive as people think) ✅ Why the learning curve is easier than most people assume ✅ The best alternatives if you're still window shopping

Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/klaviyo-for-shopify-is-it-worth-the-hype

Episode #358 - The Essential Guide to Domain Verification for Ecommerce Brands

Ever throw a party and forget to tell the bouncer who's on the list? Suddenly your best friends are stuck outside while total randos waltz right in. That's basically what happens when you skip domain verification - and your emails are the ones getting bounced.

🎧 In this episode, I'm breaking down what domain verification actually is (in human language), why it's one of the easiest ways to boost deliverability, and how to check it off your to-do list without crying into your DNS settings. Whether you're gearing up for the holidays or just tired of spam-folder surprises, you'll walk away feeling confident instead of confused.

This episode is part of my ongoing Email Marketing Foundations series, where we unpack the tech, strategy, and mindset needed to build a reliable revenue engine through email + SMS.

👉 Want to take this deeper? Join me for my Live YouTube Masterclass on Friday, November 14th at 9am PST to get hands-on with domain verification and deliverability best practices. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1738600554059?aff=oddtdtcreator

✅ What SPF, DKIM, and DMARC actually mean (and why they're so crucial) ✅ How to authenticate your domain inside Klaviyo or Mailchimp in less than 30 minutes ✅ How to warm up your sends and avoid deliverability dips ✅ Common red flags that signal your emails are getting ghosted ✅ The exact steps to check for "PASS" status and keep inboxes happy

Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/domain-verification-how-to-stay-out-of-spam-improve-email-deliverability

BFCM is basically tomorrow in marketing time - that's how it feels, right? The clock's ticking, inboxes are about to explode, and you might be thinking, "Am I even ready for this?" Before panic sets in, take a breath. This episode is your quick hit of clarity before the chaos: a last-minute checklist to steady the nerves and drive more revenue.

🎧 In this episode, I'm giving you a fast, focused, five-part punch list you can check off in a few days - not weeks - to optimize your email, SMS, and site experience before the big weekend hits. Whether you're scrambling or feeling mostly prepared, you'll walk away knowing exactly where to spend your energy for maximum impact.

This episode is part of my ongoing BFCM Prep Series - where we're making sure your holiday marketing is strategic, intentional, and ready to perform. If you still want the full playbook, you can grab my 2025 BFCM Briefing at joyjoya.com/bfcm.

👉 Grab my official 2025 BFCM Briefing: a 15+ page strategic guide serious brands are using to stay ahead of the chaos: https://joyjoya.com/bfcm

💡 In this episode, you'll learn:

• ✅ The BFCM scheduling steps most brands forget until it's too late

• ✅ Why form & popup cleanup can drive last-minute signups and sales

• ✅ How to verify your site + checkout flow to avoid weekend disasters

• ✅ When to send SMS (and why timing is everything)

• ✅ The #1 overlooked messaging detail that creates last-minute friction

🪙 In the Gold Mine segment, I'm talking about why "Hope is NOT a marketing strategy." We've all been guilty of crossing our fingers — especially during the holidays. I'm sharing three sneaky ways hope shows up as avoidance, how it sabotages profits, and how to turn it into momentum instead of stagnation.

👉 Ready to stop guessing and start sending with confidence? This episode gives you the quick wins you need right now - so you can step into BFCM prepared instead of panicked.

Dive deeper with the blog post: https://joyjoya.com/blogs/podcast/your-last-minute-black-friday-cyber-monday-checklist