The Ecomcrew Ecommerce Podcast

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

In this EcomCrew Podcast episode, Daniel and I delve deep into the world of email marketing and retention marketing in the e-commerce industry. We share our their experiences and insights on why email marketing remains an essential tool for businesses, despite predictions of its decline.

We also touch on the importance of building community and trust with customers, and show successful examples of companies using email and SMS marketing effectively, as well as the potential of loyalty programs to drive business growth.

Timestamps:

• Intro - 00:00
• Daniel's e-commerce and email marketing journey - 01:14
• Email's continued effectiveness despite claims of its decline - 04:05
• The rise and fall of Messenger chatbots - 06:06
• Differences between consumer and business owner email inboxes - 07:26
• Decreasing open rates in MailChimp's report - 08:35
• Generating revenue through trust and community-building content emails - 10:19
• Engaging customers with community photos, tips, and tricks - 11:11
• Good email marketing's impact on small businesses - 14:36
• A lack of good e-commerce email marketing examples - 16:16
• Measuring time between first, second, and third orders - 20:37
• The potential of SMS marketing - 22:41
• Generating additional revenue through loyalty programs - 26:29
• Learning from big brands with effective loyalty programs - 33:55

Email marketing has proven to be a powerful tool in the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.

It is crucial for businesses to create engaging content and focus on building trust, community, and lasting relationships with their customers. With that being said, companies should also concentrate on customer retention and repeat purchases by leveraging effective email and SMS marketing strategies and implementing well-designed loyalty programs.

Successful loyalty programs not only boost customer engagement and sales but can also significantly raise the company's valuation. Businesses should look to learn from the successes of established brands with effective loyalty programs and adapt their strategies accordingly.

I want to thank Daniel for taking time out of his busy schedule to discuss the landscape and future of email marketing.

If you want to know more about Daniel and his business, check out the links on his site and his podcast below.

• Budai Media
• The Ecom Show Podcast

Lastly, don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoyed this episode.

Until the next one, happy selling!

In this EcomCrew Podcast episode, Daniel and I delve deep into the world of email marketing and retention marketing in the e-commerce industry. We share our their experiences and insights on why email marketing remains an essential tool for businesses, despite predictions of its decline.

We also touch on the importance of building community and trust with customers, and show successful examples of companies using email and SMS marketing effectively, as well as the potential of loyalty programs to drive business growth.

Timestamps:

• Intro - 00:00
• Daniel's e-commerce and email marketing journey - 01:14
• Email's continued effectiveness despite claims of its decline - 04:05
• The rise and fall of Messenger chatbots - 06:06
• Differences between consumer and business owner email inboxes - 07:26
• Decreasing open rates in MailChimp's report - 08:35
• Generating revenue through trust and community-building content emails - 10:19
• Engaging customers with community photos, tips, and tricks - 11:11
• Good email marketing's impact on small businesses - 14:36
• A lack of good e-commerce email marketing examples - 16:16
• Measuring time between first, second, and third orders - 20:37
• The potential of SMS marketing - 22:41
• Generating additional revenue through loyalty programs - 26:29
• Learning from big brands with effective loyalty programs - 33:55

Email marketing has proven to be a powerful tool in the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.

It is crucial for businesses to create engaging content and focus on building trust, community, and lasting relationships with their customers. With that being said, companies should also concentrate on customer retention and repeat purchases by leveraging effective email and SMS marketing strategies and implementing well-designed loyalty programs.

Successful loyalty programs not only boost customer engagement and sales but can also significantly raise the company's valuation. Businesses should look to learn from the successes of established brands with effective loyalty programs and adapt their strategies accordingly.

I want to thank Daniel for taking time out of his busy schedule to discuss the landscape and future of email marketing.

If you want to know more about Daniel and his business, check out the links on his site and his podcast below.

• Budai Media
• The Ecom Show Podcast

Lastly, don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes if you enjoyed this episode.

Until the next one, happy selling!