The Unofficial TikTok Shop Podcast with Jordan West

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Learn how poor deliverability can drain your revenue and discover the strategies to set it right. From the impact of domain reputation to the need for warm-up periods, we covered it all. Plus, don't miss out on the essential insights for switching email service providers and dealing with spam rates. 

In this episode, Jordan West and Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO of Aspekt discuss the intricacies and strategies essential for e-commerce brands to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of email marketing. From the impact of domain reputation to navigating through service provider transitions, they cover it all.

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Key takeaways from this episode:

• Email deliverability is crucial for generating revenue for brands, and poor deliverability can result in wasted money.
• Recent changes by Google and Yahoo require brands to use their own domain reputation to send emails, increasing brand responsibility and accountability.
• Sending emails to addresses that haven't opted in can negatively impact spam rate and deliverability, potentially ruining domain reputation.
• Excessive spam feedback can negatively impact deliverability, and even a small percentage of complaints can lead to emails being marked as spam by Google.
• If emails end up in the spam inbox, emergency communication to customers may be necessary to ask them to move the emails out of spam.
• AI has potential in email marketing for data analysis, decision-making, copywriting ideation, and understanding customer sentiment, but it's essential to double-check and personalize content.
• Overriding primal instincts is crucial when facing difficulties in business, especially in the competitive space of direct-to-consumer marketing and dealing with social media challenges.

Recommended Tools/App:

Sendlane: https://www.sendlane.com/ 

Today’s Guest: 

Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO of Aspekt, his role involves delving into the complexities of email deliverability and the strategies that brands must adopt to ensure success in their email marketing campaigns. Nikita emphasizes the importance of proper email deliverability, highlighting how it affects the revenue generation for brands and the impact of recent changes by Google and Yahoo on domain reputation. 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Highlighting the importance of the company's high resale value and the emotional storytelling of the brand. And, delving into holistic interests and personal growth, revealing a thought-provoking side that transcends conventional business perspectives. 

In this episode, Jordan West and Matthias Ehlenfeld, founder of Woom Bikes discuss the delicate balance between brand awareness and tactical e-commerce activities in marketing. They share insights on leveraging community and referral programs to increase brand awareness and utilizing the existing customer base. The conversation also touches on the importance of creating emotional connections through brand storytelling and the significance of great employees in scaling a business.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Emphasizing the importance of leveraging the community and traditional referral programs to create more awareness and utilize the existing customer base.
• The plan to collaborate online and offline strategies for specific key cities to create more awareness and increase sales.
• The significance of great people in scaling, along with creating the best employee experience.
•  Delving into the importance of email marketing and the significant opportunities it presents for businesses.

Recommended Tools/App:

Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/ 

Recommended Audiobook:

Archetypes of the Soul: https://www.amazon.com/Archetypes-Soul-Varda-Hasselmann/dp/3442220009 

Today’s Guest: 

Matthias Ehlenfeld, the founder of Woom Bikes, originally from Germany, Matthias established Woom Bikes in Austin, Texas in 2014, focusing on selling high-quality bikes for children online. With a deep understanding of the balance between brand awareness and tactical e-commerce activities in marketing, Matthias is an expert in leveraging community and traditional referral programs to create awareness and utilize the existing customer base.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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From building social proof to working with influencers, and even navigating the coveted TikTok shop mall. Learn about the importance of cultivating an awesome shop presence, earning reviews, showcasing transaction volumes, and engaging with creators to drive traffic to your shop.

In this episode, Jordan West gets into the latest trends and strategies for leveraging TikTok shop to drive sales and brand growth. From the crucial role of social proof and reviews to the importance of engaging with influencers and leveraging the TikTok shop mall, Jordan shares valuable insights and recommendations for brands looking to maximize their success on this platform. With practical tips and expert advice, this episode is a must-listen for any ecommerce brand looking to crack the code of social selling.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• When launching a TikTok shop, focus on building social proof through a significant number of sales and positive reviews to attract influencers.
• Consider starting with paid ads and hiring creators to promote the shop from the beginning to drive traffic.
•  Going live on TikTok is recommended, and there are resources available to guide brands through the process.
• Aim to get onto the TikTok shop mall, which acts as a curated marketplace for reputable retailers.
• Understand the performance and brand qualifications required to be invited to the TikTok shop mall.
• Seek to work with reputable partners and continuously improve shop performance to maximize success on TikTok.

Recommended Tools/App:

Notion: https://www.notion.so/ 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Emphasizes the importance of CRO in ecommerce and the impact it has beyond just improving the website, including reducing return rates, increasing lifetime value (LTV), and decreasing product costs.


In this episode, Jordan West with Will Laurenson, they get into the realm of customer revenue optimization (CRO) and its impact on e-commerce success. Will shares his expertise in data-driven strategies, customer behavior modeling, and the significance of revenue per user in testing and optimizing e-commerce approaches. 



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Key takeaways from this episode:

• Utilizing data analysis and product development can improve customer conversion and retention.
• Incorporating customer feedback and speaking directly with customers is essential for business optimization and improvement.
• RPU is recommended as the ultimate KPI for testing the success of strategies in e-commerce, highlighting the importance of focusing on the revenue generated by each user rather than just conversion rates or average order value.
• The significance of user experience (UAM method - usability, anxiety, motivation) is emphasized as a means to inform website design and optimize customer experience.
• Case studies showcase the impact of split tests, such as the removal of an "in stock" tag leading to increased mobile conversion rates and the elimination of a timer resulting in additional revenue.

Recommended Tools/App:
Airtable: https://www.airtable.com/
Notion: https://www.notion.so/
Slack: https://slack.com/



Recommended Audiobooks:
Real Dictators: https://www.noiser.com/realdictators
The Rest Is History: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Rest-Is-History-Audiobook/B0C5YNM53Z



Today’s Guest:
Will Laurenson, from Customers Who Click, Will has a background in B2C marketing and startups, and he shares experiences where he improved customer conversion and retention through data analysis and product development. He challenges the significance of conversion rate optimization (CRO) for e-commerce, emphasizing the importance of revenue per user over conversion rate. Will uses data to determine customer behavior and discusses how it informs their approach to website design and user experience.



Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow
Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Highlights the significance of having the right creative, with an emphasis on understanding where the creative fits within the marketing funnel and using psychology-based creative approaches.



In this episode, Jordan West gets into the Facebook ad problems that many people are encountering. He shares his insights into the issues affecting Facebook ads in 2024 and outlines three key reasons why his company, Upgrowth Commerce, hasn't experienced the same challenges. Jordan also discusses a resource he created to help solve these problems and offers hope to struggling ecommerce brands. 




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Key takeaways from this episode:

• Using a good CAPI connector (conversions API connector) to improve data accuracy, reduce data loss, and enhance campaign optimization.
• Understanding where the creative sits within the sales funnel, analyzing Facebook spend towards specific creatives, and utilizing metrics like frequency and CPM to assess ad performance.
• Letting the AI do its job, feeding the right data, identifying the right creative, and setting up a testing environment that will work from day one.
• Recognizing that Facebook is a machine learning platform with a user experience focus, and prioritizing ad delivery optimization to ensure relevance and efficiency.

Recommended Tools/App:
Elevar: https://www.getelevar.com/





Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow
Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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We explored the revolutionary power of digital humans, streaming avatars, and how they're transforming online sales interactions. Imagine an empathetic, personalized sales experience that's available 24/7. From product recommendations to instant guidance, these AI sales agents are the game-changer your brand needs.


In this episode, Jordan West and Alain Denzler, CEO and founder of Get It AI, get into the world of AI sales agents. Alain sheds light on the cutting-edge technology of streaming avatars and how they are reshaping the online sales experience in the Gen AI era. From integrating with different platforms to offering personalized interactions and emotional voices, Alain's insights provide a glimpse into the future of ecommerce. 



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Key takeaways from this episode:

• Streaming avatars can greet and guide visitors, provide video reviews, and initiate conversations to assist in the purchasing process, thus potentially improving conversion rates.
• Emphasizes the use of AI technology to create human-like sales agents capable of delivering personalized product recommendations and tailored sales responses based on customers' emotions.
• The potential power of incorporating empathy into AI sales agents, aiming to create a more conversational and empathetic sales experience for customers.
• The widespread adoption of digital agents in sales interactions, likening it to the transition from driving cars to autonomous vehicles and suggesting that future generations may find it hard to believe there was a time without AI sales agents.
• The need to comply with EU regulations when using digital humans, and how AI agents can reduce hesitancy and create more subtle and human-like selling experiences.
  
  

Recommended Tools/App:
GetitAI: https://www.getit.ai/ 



Today’s Guest:
Alain Denzler, the CEO and founder of Get It AI, to revolutionize the sales experience, Alain's company utilizes streaming avatars, which he refers to as "digital humans," to provide brands with a face and voice for online sales interactions. He envisions AI sales agents as a transformative force in ecommerce, enhancing customer experiences through personalized, empathetic, and human-like interactions. Alain's approach emphasizes the fusion of advanced technology with the human touch, positioning his company at the forefront of the evolving landscape of AI-driven sales.



Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow
Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Challenges facing agencies and brands in the e-commerce world. From the impact of app usage on website performance to the importance of ethical business practices, we explore the secrets to success.



In this episode, Jordan West and Ben Sharf, co-founder of Platter, they get into the challenges and misalignments in the e-commerce industry, particularly in relation to app usage, pricing, and improving cost-effectiveness for brand owners. Ben shares his perspective on ethical agency practices and the unique solutions offered by Platter to address these industry issues.



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Key takeaways from this episode:

• The discussion highlights misalignments between development agencies and brand owners, particularly regarding app usage, pricing, and improving cost-effectiveness for brand owners.
• There's a need to simplify app functionality to debunk the myth that building a high-converting storefront is expensive and time-consuming and to address the issue of brands getting stuck with too many apps, support teams, and high monthly expenses.
• Touches on potential partnership opportunities and investment offers, highlighting the strategy of creating a shared back office for mundane tasks and enabling agencies to exit at a higher multiple by being part of the roll together.
• Emphasizes the importance of agencies focusing on education, integrity, and efficiency in their operations, and providing cost-effective and transparent solutions for brands.

Recommended Tools/App:
Platter: https://www.platter.co/ 

Today’s Guest:
Ben Sharf is the co-founder of Platter, a company offering a theme and app bundle with white-glove implementation to enhance profitability on Shopify storefronts. During the episode, Ben expresses frustration with agencies moving brands to Headless architecture to control operations and profit without considering ethics. He advocates for ethical agency practices, stating that Platter focuses on education, integrity, and efficiency.



Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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The realization of what truly matters in life, highlighting the shift in priorities toward simplicity, spending time with family, and maintaining a strict sleep schedule to avoid burnout.

In this episode, Jordan West and James Pieper brings us an eye-opening conversation. They dive deep into the topic of burnout and its impact on work habits and personal life. James shares his experiences in managing a successful ecommerce business, his journey from selling fabric online to building a thriving Shopify store, and the challenges he faced along the way.

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Key takeaways from this episode:

• Both Jordan West and James Pieper share their experiences in developing sustainable work habits, including the significance of routines, set schedules, and time management to maintain work-life balance and avoid burnout.
• The speakers discuss strategies for managing stress and coping with difficult situations in business. They emphasize the need for resilience, problem-solving skills, and staying calm under pressure, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate these points.
• The importance of strategic business management and implementing sustainable practices to avoid urgency and burnout, as demonstrated through discussions on prioritizing non-urgent but important activities and effectively managing stress and pressure.
• The consideration of alternative approaches to business optimization and the potential for future discussions to explore differing opinions and experiences in specific areas, such as Facebook ads targeting and bid caps.

Recommended Playbook/App:

Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/ 

7 habits: https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits/ 

Today’s Guest: 

James Pieper is the owner of a beloved quilt store that provides raw materials for creating beautiful, handmade quilts. He believes in the power of creating something with love and giving it as a gift to someone special. He sees his store as a place that helps customers make something that will be cherished forever. With a passion for quilting and a dedication to providing quality fabric, James Pieper is known in the community as a supportive and enthusiastic advocate for the art of quilting.

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Planning engaging and informative content, promoting the live stream, engaging with the audience, showcasing products naturally, avoiding being overly salesy, and offering exclusive deals are crucial for success on TikTok Live.

In this episode, Jordan West shares his insights on the potential of TikTok live shopping and provides tips and best practices for effectively using this platform to engage with audiences and showcase products. Jordan brings his expertise to the forefront, offering valuable advice for leveraging TikTok Shop Live to drive business success.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Emphasizes the tremendous opportunity to make easy money by utilizing TikTok Shop Live Selling to promote your brand and product, with the potential to earn up to $1,000 an hour.
• TikTok Live Shopping offers real-time engagement with the audience, enabling instant purchases, and showcasing products in an authentic, unscripted manner, which helps in building trust and credibility.
• It's essential to continuously improve by learning what works, getting better, and cutting out dead spots, ultimately leading to better live streams and more effective product promotion.
• One does not need to be a Gen Z TikTok hero to succeed. Anyone, regardless of age or experience with TikTok, can leverage live streams to promote their products and reach a wider audience.

Recommended Tools/App:

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

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Emphasizing the importance of investing in data integrity, developing a stable sales funnel, and using intelligent ads to counter the impact of market forces.

In this episode, Jordan West and Charley T, founder of Disrupter School dig into the complexities of data integrity in marketing, the impact of customer lifetime value and customer loyalty, and the optimal ways to approach Facebook ads for sustainable growth. They explore the subtle nuances of performance marketing, unpacking the myths surrounding customer loyalty, and stressing the importance of understanding the "whys" behind marketing strategies.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Understanding data integrity is crucial for marketing, as focusing solely on efficiency without considering data integrity can lead to unstable cash flow for businesses.
• The 4 PI framework emphasizes a shift in understanding the marketing funnel, and the significance of organic content and customer-generated content in driving conversions.
• Customer loyalty may be considered a myth, and profitability often comes from second and third transactions, so focusing on the blended CPA for sustainable growth is important.
• Providing comprehensive education and offering master classes through platforms like Marketing Max, heat map, and Dora Denny can add value to businesses.
• Shifting the focus from just Facebook ads to offering proactive services to assist brands beyond advertising can have a positive impact on client discussions and the churn rate.

Recommended Tools/App:

Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/ 

Today’s Guest: 

Charley Tichenor IV, the founder of Disrupter School and a seasoned media buyer with over a decade of experience. As an expert in marketing and data integrity, Charley delivers valuable insights into data-driven marketing strategies, addressing issues of data integrity, sustainable growth, and the impact of market forces on performance metrics. Charley T. is also connected to Disrupter School and is active on social media, offering comprehensive education and industry master classes through Marketing Max, heat map, and Dora Denny.

Connect and learn more about Charly T and Disrupter School:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleytichenoriv/ 

Website: https://www.thedisrupterschool.com/ 

Growth Plan: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow

Million Dollar Offers: www.upgrowthcommerce.com/grow