The Unofficial TikTok Shop Podcast with Jordan West

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It’s important to fine-tune a product by collecting post-purchase data and reading every testimonial, including one-star reviews. 

In this episode, Jordan West and Steve Wasik, CEO of Vktry Gear, discuss the company's impact, customer experience strategies, and the challenges of scaling business. They also delve into topics such as social media marketing, customer satisfaction, and the importance of understanding your audience. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Consider bringing customer service in-house for better customer interaction and feedback, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.
• Focus on generating cash, taking care of your team, and understanding the customer as top priorities.
• Embrace an underdog mentality, be bold and creative, and take risks in branding to stand out as a challenger brand.
• Use a mix of entertaining and educational content to engage customers and leverage influencer partnerships for brand promotion.
• Stay informed about developments in social media platforms, such as the impact of TikTok shops on influencer marketing, and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Constantly find new products for upselling and focus on growing an email database to engage and retain customers.

Recommended App/Tool:

Hot Jar: https://www.hotjar.com/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/

Recommended Book:

Eating The Big Fish: https://www.eatbigfish.com/books/eating-the-big-fish

Today’s Guest:

Steve Wasik, CEO of Vktry Gear is a courageous leader, specializing in strategically and creatively building strong Consumer Product organizations and driving record level sales growth & profitability. Award-winning, strategic marketer adept at directing agencies and creatively building winning brands. Able to hit the ground running as evidenced by accomplishments across diverse Consumer Product categories.

Connect and learn more about Steve and Vktry Gear:

Website: https://vktrygear.com/?view=sl-4FE65C04

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

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A rising trend, but is it worth it? Trends that are set to dominate the e-commerce landscape in 2024. From voice-enabled search to the rise of dark social, and the growing importance of environmental consciousness, we covered it all. 

In this episode, Jordan West shares his insights, opinions, and predictions related to voice-enabled search, headless websites, augmented reality, loyalty programs, branding, social media sales platforms, machine learning, connected TV, and consumer consciousness. Jordan offers practical advice and strategic guidance for those looking to thrive in the competitive e-commerce market. Incrementality and multi-touch attribution are emphasized, along with tracking the right metrics for financial stability.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Voice-enabled search is expected to grow significantly, with smart devices like Alexa and Google Home becoming more prevalent.
• Headless websites are a growing trend, but not necessarily beneficial for all brands. Flexibility may increase, but the investment may not be worth the returns for most businesses.
• The use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for enhancing consumer experience, especially in the fashion industry, will continue to rise.
• Traditional loyalty programs are becoming less effective, and brands need to look for innovative ways to provide value to their customers, such as unique programs like Toki.
• Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce is anticipated to remain a significant opportunity for brands to reach more consumers through avenues like corporate gifting and partnerships with various retail outlets.
• Machine learning is evolving and is expected to be integral in various aspects of business operations, including marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
• The rise of "dark social" through private messaging apps emphasizes the importance of genuine word-of-mouth marketing and the challenge of tracking such interactions.

Recommended App/Tool:

Toki: https://apps.shopify.com/toki-loyalty-rewards

Shopify Sidekick: https://www.shopify.com/ph/magic

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Q5 is a crucial time for marketers to capitalize on the Facebook ad auction. It's the perfect moment to promote last-minute shopping to capture procrastinators and justify purchases.

In this episode, Jordan West and Lauren Petrullo, Founder of Mongoose Media,  dug deep into data optimization, CPMs, and CPAs, and even explored the fascinating world of TikTok Shops. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Giving back to the world and supporting causes through platforms like tree-planting initiatives.
• The difference between CPMs and CPAs and how they relate to advertising costs during q5.
• The value of strong data sets for optimization and performance in Facebook advertising.
• Emphasizing the importance of treating customers as individuals and building relationships for stronger lifetime value.
• The impact of TikTok Shops on influencer marketing and the need for similar performance-based programs on other platforms.

Recommended App/Tool:

Stape: https://stape.io/

Popsixle: https://popsixle.com/

Blotout: https://blotout.io/

Hyros: https://hyros.com/

Triple Whale: https://www.triplewhale.com/

Forest: https://www.forestapp.cc/

Recommended Book/Podcast:

Perpetual Traffic: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/

Roland Frasier: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-lunch/id1442654104

Today’s Guest:

Lauren Petrullo, Founder and CMO of Mongoose Media, is a former marketing and business development professional who had the amazing opportunity to work for the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida. She would brainstorm and develop solutions for seemingly impossible scenarios, using her creative thinking abilities. 

Connect and learn more about Lauren and Mongoose Media:

Website: https://mongoosemedia.us/

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

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Traditional influencer marketing might not yield the desired results anymore. Start focusing on creating viral content rather than just growing your follower count to capture the attention of potential customers.

In this episode, Jordan West and Jake Bjorseth, Founder of Trndsttrs, an expert when it comes to leveraging the power of TikTok, and he's here to share his insights on how to set up TikTok shops and tap into the potential gold rush of creators on the platform. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The importance of creating compelling content on TikTok that convinces people to buy, rather than focusing solely on follower count.
• The value of understanding TikTok both as a consumer and in a business context.
• The benefits of TikTok shops in solving the attribution issues of TikTok ads and providing trustworthy purchase data.
• The importance of understanding and leveraging the features and algorithms of TikTok to reach and engage potential consumers on the For You page.
• The value of posting multiple times a day on TikTok to maximize reach and visibility.

Recommended App/Tool:

Superhuman: https://superhuman.com/

Whoop: https://www.whoop.com/us/en/

Recommended Book/Podcast:

The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqqjU7zCI10

Gary Vee: https://garyvaynerchuk.com/podcast/

Alex Hormozi: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YNopzKDGDwf0auIpPTIID

Today’s Guest:

Jake Bjorseth, Founder of Trndsttrs, driven by his passion for content creation and the desire to create a supportive community for like-minded individuals, Jake decided to establish his own content house. Bringing together a group of talented Gen Z influencers, they found a space where they could live, collaborate, and create content round the clock. 

Connect and learn more about jake and Trndsttrs:

Website: https://www.trndsttrs.com/

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

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Explore the crucial art of recruiting top talent so that you can build an unstoppable team. It's all about finding the perfect fit for specific tasks and the value they bring.

In this episode, Jordan West and Joel MacPherson, Co-Founder of True Ops share the challenges of hiring and scaling teams, emphasizing the need for talent density and a proper qualifying process. They also shared valuable insights on hiring locally or internationally, especially in Argentina and the Philippines. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Focus on building a hiring process that identifies the right talent for your business.
• Consider outsourcing or hiring internationally based on specific role requirements.
• Stay updated on big companies setting up in certain locations for hiring and cultural alignment opportunities.
• Take advantage of currency differences in hiring decisions to gain a competitive advantage.
• Break down the organization into manageable chunks and establish internal checks for accountability.
• Identify areas of the business with a clear return on investment when making the first hire.

Recommended App/Tool:

Breezy HR: https://breezy.hr/

Bryq: https://www.bryq.com/

Test Gorilla: https://www.testgorilla.com/

Superpowered: https://superpowered.me/

Airtable: https://www.airtable.com/

Sandler: https://www.sandler.com/

Recommended Book/Podcast:

Spin Selling: https://www.amazon.com/SPIN-Selling-Neil-Rackham/dp/0070511136

Today’s Guest:

Joel MacPherson, Co-Founder of TrueOps, is a firm believer in breaking the rules and finding unconventional approaches to success. He values the principle of minimizing management overhead and maximizing individual contributions. 

Connect and learn more about Joel and TrueOps:

Website: https://www.trueops.ai/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-macpherson-cpa/

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Discover how to leverage your existing customer base by transforming them into valuable affiliates. 

In this episode, Jordan West and Noah Tucker, CEO of Social Snowball, dive into a game-changing affiliate marketing strategy that can revolutionize your customer acquisition efforts. They share real-life success stories and discuss how even creators with smaller followings can make a significant impact when their content is high quality. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The Lifetime Value (LTV) of a brand impacts customers' motivation to refer friends.
• Treating customers as actual affiliates in affiliate programs leads to better customer acquisition results.
• Referral programs should be seen as customer acquisition channels, not just loyalty programs.
• Brands are exploring partnerships with TikTok creators for customer acquisition.
• TikTok creators don't necessarily need a large following, but the quality of their content matters.

Recommended App/Tool:

Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/

Sendlane: https://www.sendlane.com/

Repurpose.io: https://repurpose.io/

Superhuman: https://superhuman.com/

Arc Browser: https://arc.net/

Mantle: https://heymantle.com/

Recommended Audiobook/Podcast:

Rob Walling: https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/

Today’s Guest:

Noah Trucker, CEO and founder of Social Snowball, an affiliate and referral marketing platform for ecommerce. With a background of 5 years in the ecommerce space, Noah built Social Snowball out of his own needs. After experiencing frustration with the lack of functionality in existing affiliate programs and software, he embarked on a journey to create something better. 

Connect and learn more about Noah and Social Snowball:

Website: https://socialsnowball.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-tucker-71a294154/

X: https://twitter.com/noatuck

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Partner integrations and the need to explore marketing channels well beyond social media and Google will be explored. It’s all about reaching potential customers wherever they may be.

In this episode, Jordan West and Mandy Herrmann, a seasoned CMO, discuss the emotional power of physical books and the impact on brand loyalty. They discussed QR codes, direct mail, and collaboration with other brands in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce marketing. 

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Home decor and fashion brands effectively use catalogs for emotional attachment and inclusivity.
• Catalogs are beneficial for starting conversations and building brand loyalty.
• Catalog targeting can be highly specific, allowing for precision in reaching intended audiences.
• Exploring marketing activities beyond social media and Google can help reach potential customers.
• Sustainability considerations, such as using recycled paper, are important for environmentally-conscious customers and brand perception.
• Collaboration with other brands for catalog distribution can expand reach and be cost-effective.

Recommended App/Tool:

Krisp: https://krisp.ai/

PostPilot: https://www.postpilot.com/

Rockerbox: https://www.rockerbox.com/

Million Dollar Offer: https://upgrowthacademy.podia.com/offer-course

Recommended Audiobook/Podcast:

WTF: https://www.wtfpod.com/podcast

Today’s Guest:

Mandy Herrmann, seasoned CMO, a German living in the Bay Area who is passionate about 360 Marketing. Her passion lies in growing businesses profitably by putting the customer in the focal point of Marketing. Reaching them from the first touch all the way through the conversion and post-purchase with paid and unpaid channels gets her excited. 

Connect and learn more about Mandy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-herrmann/

Improve your gross margins by up to 40%!

Facing inventory headaches this Q4 season? Dreading those long 45-60-day waits for product arrivals? Portless is the fulfillment game-changer for e-commerce brands. 

Why Portless?

•  Direct Shipping: From China to customers in just 6-8 days, covering 55+ countries.
•  Domestic Feel: Custom packaging, local tracking from carriers
•  Cost-Effective: Slash those cargo shipping and customs fees
•  Cash Flow Positive: No more tied-up cash flow in inventory. Relieve yourself of frozen cash within a couple of days.

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Imagine hearing the insights of a brutally honest analysis of an e-commerce business that has endured the trials of the past year and still managed to grow—sound like something you'd want to dive into?

In this episode, Jordan West and Jordan Salvit, Salvit Advisors engages in a revealing conversation. They delve deep into the numbers of Little and Lively, uncovering some hard truths and incredible insights that have propelled the business forward, even amid challenging times. They peels back the layers of Little&Lively story, providing an expert analysis of the brand's performance, customer dynamics, and game-changing action steps that have the potential to drive monumental growth. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Analyzing customer data and understanding the breakdown of existing and new customers is crucial for continued business growth.
• The importance of identifying and leveraging high-performing and profitable products within the brand's product lineup with a high lifetime revenue value.
• The significance of continuous testing and optimizing of marketing channels and strategies for customer acquisition, including considering platforms like TikTok and YouTube and refreshing ad accounts and pixels.
• Creating a strong referral program to capitalize on the highly engaged customer base and leverage word-of-mouth marketing.
• Prioritizing key focus areas, such as increasing new customer acquisition and emphasizing the first product customers purchase, to drive consistent and continuous brand growth.

Recommended App/Tool:

Social Snowball: https://socialsnowball.io/
Google Shopping: https://shopping.google.com/?pli=1
Performance Max: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/10724817?hl=en
Million Dollar Offer: https://upgrowthacademy.podia.com/offer-course
Elevar: https://www.getelevar.com/
Converge: https://www.convergehub.com/

Today’s Guest:

Jordan Salvit, CEO and Founder of Salvit Advisors, embarked on a journey of self-discovery after selling a successful business. Unsure of his next move, he ventured into consulting for brands, using his expertise  in helping founders leverage a playbook to focus on key opportunities that will have a significant impact on their business growth. With his extensive background in computer science and analytics, he specializes in developing churn management systems and analyzing business data to identify priorities for exponential growth. 

Connect and learn more about Jordan and Salvit Advisors:

Website: https://www.salvit.com/

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

X: https://twitter.com/jordansalvit

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Create some buzz with warm-up emails and effectively leverage SMS marketing that teases your BFCM offers without cannibalizing current sales. Think early bird specials and thank-you messages to loyal customers – building anticipation and showing appreciation goes a long way! 

In this episode, Jordan West covered essential strategies to prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023. He talked about optimizing your site for email capture, launching email campaigns early, personalizing your emails, and updating your homepage with seasonal creatives. He also emphasized the importance of mobile and desktop friendliness and gathering feedback to ensure a top-notch shopping experience. 

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Planning and launching email marketing campaigns early for BFCM.
• Optimizing your site for email capture and testing different offers to entice sign-ups.
• Setting up data feed for personalizing email campaigns for different customer segments.
• Sending warm-up emails with hints and teasers to create excitement without cannibalizing current sales.
• Updating your homepage with seasonal creatives like creating gift guides and ensuring mobile and desktop friendliness.
• Auditing your entire email sequence and series, updating them to be holiday-themed for BFCM readiness.

Recommended App/Tool:

Million Dollar Offer: https://upgrowthacademy.podia.com/offer-course

Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/

Send us a text

Your loyal customers are your advocates and can be a powerful marketing force for your brand. By showing appreciation, you not only strengthen your relationship with them but also boost your bottom line.

In this episode, Jordan West dives deeper into BFCM discussion to help you make the most out of this year's holiday season. He also shared that having a clear plan helps everyone stay on track and make informed decisions. Staying agile and adaptable based on customer response and market dynamics is essential. You must possess the ability to adjust your strategies because it will help you optimize your sales and achieve better results.

Listen and learn in this episode!

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Loyal customers should be given special treatment and incentives such as early access, better discounts, referral codes, and bonus points in customer loyalty programs. 
• The importance of being organized, particularly for visionary-minded individuals. 
• A planned sales map and clear communication within the team are essential.
• Transparency and visibility within the team, even for smaller teams, are crucial for effective communication and coordination. 
• The ability to pivot and make changes based on performance is important, even with a planned sales strategy.

Recommended App/Tool:

PostPilot: https://www.postpilot.com/

Sendlane: https://www.sendlane.com/

Klaviyo: https://www.klaviyo.com/