The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode Description TikTok Shop is creating a totally different kind of opportunity for ecommerce brands, but it is not just another paid ads platform. In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer's Manager of Advertising, Dilyana Doychinova, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead paid performance teams, support media buyers, and stay ahead as Meta, TikTok Shop, Google, and AI continue to evolve. Dilyana shares how Smart Marketer builds a culture where media buyers can ask for help without feeling like they're failing, why strong SOPs need to teach the "why" behind the strategy, and what brands need to understand before jumping into TikTok Shop. You'll hear why TikTok Shop requires a completely different mindset than Meta, how affiliates and samples shape the platform, and why the creative learnings from TikTok can become valuable across your entire paid media strategy. "TikTok has nothing to do with Meta, honestly. TikTok is closer to Netflix than it's to Meta." – Dilyana Doychinova If you manage a paid traffic team, work with media buyers, or are trying to figure out whether TikTok Shop belongs in your growth strategy, this episode is packed with real-world insight from inside the Smart Marketer Agency. You Will Learn: • How Dilyana went from almost missing the Smart Marketer opportunity to leading the paid performance team. • Why media buyers need both accountability and psychological safety to do their best work. • How Smart Marketer onboards new media buyers without throwing them into the deep end. • Why SOPs should teach decision-making, not just checklists. • How the Smart Marketer team stays current as Meta, AI, and ad platforms change. • Why TikTok Shop requires a completely different mindset than Meta advertising. • What kinds of products tend to work best on TikTok Shop. • Why affiliates, samples, and creator momentum are key to winning on TikTok Shop. • How TikTok creative can become a growth engine for Meta and other paid media channels. • How Dilyana uses AI tools like Claude to analyze performance, halo effect, and platform impact. • Why the human side of media buying still matters in an increasingly AI-powered world. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com Mentor Table: smartmarketer.com/mentor-table OmniSend Sponsor Offer: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Note for podcast listeners: Dilyana's Mentor Table Nashville talk on TikTok Shop and the Cleanies case study will be embedded in the show notes on the Smart Marketer website. Visit smartmarketer.com/podcast to watch it there. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 – Welcome: Paid Traffic, AI, Creative Systems & TikTok Shop 00:01:33 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:36 – Molly Introduces Dilyana Doychinova 00:04:03 – Why Dilyana Joined the Podcast 00:05:17 – Dilyana's Smart Marketer Origin Story 00:08:15 – Turning a Missed Opportunity Into a Career-Defining Role 00:11:05 – Dilyana's Current Role Leading Paid Performance & TikTok Shop 00:12:30 – How to Lead and Support Media Buyers 00:14:08 – Building Trust So Team Members Can Ask for Help 00:16:53 – Creating a Healthy Culture Inside a Paid Performance Team 00:18:37 – Smart Marketer's Media Buyer Onboarding Process 00:21:08 – How New Hires Transition Into Client Accounts 00:24:13 – Why SOPs Need to Explain the "Why" Behind the Process 00:26:39 – How Meta Changes Are Shifting Campaign Structure 00:27:32 – Staying Current with Platform Updates, AI, and Team Masterminds 00:29:00 – How the Media Buying Team Shares What's Working 00:29:55 – The Difference Between TikTok Shop and Paid Ads 00:30:54 – Why TikTok Shop Requires a Different Way of Thinking 00:31:06 – What Makes TikTok Creative So Hard to Win 00:32:01 – What Products Work Best on TikTok Shop 00:32:55 – Why High-AOV Products Can Work, But Require More Investment 00:33:17 – The Affiliate and Sample Strategy Behind TikTok Shop 00:35:47 – Using TikTok Shop as a Creative Testing Platform 00:37:37 – Finding the First Winning TikTok Video 00:38:51 – Turning TikTok Creative Into Meta Creative 00:39:49 – Why TikTok Is a Hub for Cross-Platform Creative Assets 00:40:22 – How Dilyana Uses AI to Analyze TikTok's Halo Effect on Amazon 00:42:07 – The Future of Media Buying in an AI-Powered World 00:43:34 – How AI Is Helping Dilyana Move Faster 00:44:45 – Mentor Table TikTok Shop Talk & Cleanies Case Study 00:45:50 – Final CTA: Subscribe and Support the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us keep bringing you practical marketing strategy, behind-the-scenes lessons, and real conversations with the people building what's next. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 279: Smart Marketer's 2026 Growth Playbook: What We're Building, Testing & Doubling Down On Episode Description What does growth look like when AI is changing every week, paid traffic is evolving, and your business has to keep adapting in real time? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Molly Pittman and John Grimshaw pull back the curtain on what Smart Marketer has been building, testing, and improving in 2026. From Axon/AppLovin and TikTok Shop to AEO, AI-powered creative, new software, and launching an ecommerce brand from scratch, this episode is a candid look at how Smart Marketer is thinking about the future. You'll hear why partnerships are becoming one of the biggest growth levers, why founder visibility matters more in the AI era, and why not every experiment needs to work in order for your business to keep moving forward. "Not everything has to work. If everything is successful, you're probably not doing enough." – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: • Why Smart Marketer is expanding beyond courses, agency services, and masterminds. • How Axon/AppLovin is creating new paid traffic opportunities for DTC brands. • Why TikTok Shop requires a different approach than traditional paid media. • What AEO is and why AI search may become a major growth channel. • How Smart Marketer is using AI to create more direct-response ad creative. • Why partnerships can unlock faster business growth and new opportunities. • What Molly and John are learning from launching an ecommerce brand from scratch. • Why the info product space is not dead, but it is evolving. • How to decide what to scale, what to cut, and where to focus next. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: https://smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ Thumbstop: https://usethumbstop.ai/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:22 – Welcome: What's Changing Across Marketing Right Now 00:01:10 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:14 – Molly Welcomes John Grimshaw to the Podcast 00:03:28 – Behind the Scenes: What's Been Happening at Smart Marketer 00:04:34 – How Smart Marketer Has Evolved Beyond Courses 00:06:29 – Why Business Leaders Must Keep Innovating 00:07:34 – Launching the Axon/AppLovin Masterclass 00:09:30 – The Power of Partnerships in Business Growth 00:11:51 – Testing TikTok Shop as a New Growth Channel 00:15:19 – AEO, AI Search, and Optimizing for Answer Engines 00:17:27 – Why Founder Visibility Matters in the AI Era 00:19:13 – Introducing Thumbstop: AI-Powered Ad Creative 00:23:51 – Smart Marketer's First New Software Tool in Years 00:24:49 – Launching a New Ecommerce Brand From Scratch 00:28:59 – Why Partnerships Are Central to Smart Marketer's Next Chapter 00:31:00 – Building Agentic AI Systems for Ecommerce Brands 00:33:01 – Why Courses and Info Products Are Not Dead 00:35:49 – The Reality of Testing New Ideas 00:37:59 – How Smart Marketer Is Refocusing for the Rest of 2026 00:38:29 – Molly's Reminder: Not Everything Has to Work 00:40:38 – Final Thoughts and a Bandit Cameo 00:41:15 – Closing CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners who want to stay ahead of what's coming next. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

Episode Description AI can help your team move faster, work smarter, and free up hours of repetitive work… but only if you build the habits, systems, and ownership to actually use it. In this live session from Mentor Table Nashville, Rytis Lauris, co-founder and CEO of Omnisend, shares the six practical lessons his company learned while transforming a 200+ person organization into a more AI-native team. From monthly AI Days and simple point-solution agents to the mindset shift required to "manage" AI assistants, this episode is packed with real-world examples you can bring back to your own business. "AI can really help us to be way more productive and to be better employees, to be better specialists, to be better humans." – Rytis Lauris If you've been wondering how to get your team to move beyond "playing around with ChatGPT" and start using AI to save time, improve processes, and scale smarter, this one is for you. You Will Learn: • Why AI adoption has to be intentional and led from the top down. • How Omnisend uses monthly "AI Days" to help employees build real AI habits. • Why simple point solutions often work better than complex AI agents. • How a sales team built an AI follow-up tool without engineers. • How Omnisend reduced influencer review time from 90 hours to 20 hours per month. • Why AI tools should be treated like products, not one-time projects. • The importance of assigning a human "manager" to each AI agent. • Why AI works best when it improves existing processes instead of creating new work. • How AI can support email, SMS, segmentation, forms, support, and sales workflows. • Why the future belongs to humans who learn how to scale themselves with AI. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table Omnisend Smart Marketer (sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Time Stamps: 00:00:15 – Welcome: Moving Beyond AI Marketing Tasks 00:01:13 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:02:39 – John Introduces Omnisend and Rytis Lauris 00:04:16 – Why Becoming AI-Native Isn't as Simple as Buying Tools 00:06:14 – Lesson 1: AI Does Not Adopt Itself 00:07:18 – How Omnisend Uses Monthly AI Days Across the Company 00:08:19 – The Sales Follow-Up AI Agent That Saves Time After Calls 00:09:30 – Reducing Influencer Review Time from 90 Hours to 20 Hours 00:10:31 – Lesson 2: Complexity Is a Trap 00:12:21 – Why Point Solutions Beat Over-Engineered AI Agents 00:13:24 – Lesson 3: Switch from a Project Mindset to a Product Mindset 00:15:24 – Lesson 4: Iteration Isn't Sexy, But It's Inevitable 00:16:24 – Why Every AI Agent Needs a Human Owner 00:17:23 – The AI Voice SDR Example: Smart, Useful, and Still Imperfect 00:19:13 – How Omnisend's AI Support Agent Resolves 40% of Support Conversations 00:21:19 – Lesson 5: Build on Existing Processes, Don't Create New Work 00:22:13 – Rytis' LinkedIn AI Agent Story and Why AI Won't Create Habits for You 00:23:55 – Omnisend's Most-Used AI Features: Subject Lines and Preheaders 00:24:47 – AI for Email Copywriting and Segment Building 00:25:58 – AI Form Generation and Giving Customers Control 00:26:48 – Lesson 6: AI Is an Assistant, Not the Enemy 00:28:00 – How Point Solutions Can Free Up 30–40% of Your Time 00:28:45 – Recap: The Six Lessons for Becoming AI-Native 00:30:11 – Special Omnisend Offer for Smart Marketer Listeners 00:30:39 – Closing Thoughts Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue bringing you practical marketing strategies, behind-the-scenes systems, and real-world business insights from operators who are doing the work. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere. Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

Episode 275: The Paid Ads Machine: Creative Systems That Scale in the Age of AI Episode Description What if your ad creative system could think more like Meta's algorithm? In this live session from Mentor Table Nashville, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative Ben Bennett and Creative Operations Manager Melvin Cotton III break down the exact system they use to plan, produce, analyze, and scale paid social creative in the age of AI and Andromeda. From diagnosing what's actually working inside your ad account to building scalable creator systems and using AI to uncover hidden performance insights, this episode is a masterclass in modern paid creative strategy. "Our overall goal is to establish a strong system that provides us good creative and strong feedback." – Melvin Cotton III If you're tired of guessing what makes ads work and want a smarter process for creating winning creative, this episode is for you. You Will Learn: Why marketers are overcomplicating "Andromeda" and what actually matters The difference between what Meta sees in your ads vs. what it knows about users How to use AI to analyze creative at scale The creative variables Smart Marketer tracks across every ad Why "creative volume" alone isn't enough anymore How to identify gaps in your messaging and creative strategy The framework for building a scalable creative production system Different ways to source UGC and creator content effectively Why operational systems are critical for creative scale How feedback loops improve ad performance over time LINKS & RESOURCES: Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:17 – Introduction: The Paid Ads Machine 00:01:19 – Ezra Firestone on Why He Uses OmniSend 00:02:41 – Live from Mentor Table Nashville 00:03:55 – How Ben Bennett Joined Smart Marketer 00:06:18 – Creative Planning in the Age of Andromeda 00:08:18 – Why AI & Andromeda Feel Like a "Black Box" 00:12:55 – Using AI to Analyze Creative at Scale 00:17:08 – Building an AI-Powered Creative Data Lab 00:22:34 – Closed Variables vs Open Variables in Creative Analysis 00:25:55 – Applying Marketing Frameworks to Ad Creative 00:29:20 – Turning Creative Data Into Actionable Insights 00:33:32 – What AI Reveals About Winning Creative Patterns 00:36:07 – Why Beginner-Focused Ads Outperformed Problem-Aware Messaging 00:40:56 – Transitioning from Analysis to Production Systems 00:42:01 – Building a Creative Menu for Your Team 00:45:16 – Different Systems for Sourcing UGC & Creator Content 00:48:20 – Creator Compensation & Contracts 00:49:59 – Managing Creative Operations & Tracking Systems 00:51:48 – Identifying Where You Are on the Creative Spectrum 00:52:23 – Final Thoughts & Downloadable Resources YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue bringing you actionable marketing strategies, behind-the-scenes systems, and real-world business insights. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag @smartmarketer Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!

Episode 273: Scaling to $300M+: Paid Media, Attribution & Building Teams That Win Episode Description What does it really take to scale to $300M+ in revenue and spend $300K per day on ads? In this live Mentor Table session from Nashville, Molly Pittman sits down with entrepreneur Rob Schmidt to break down what actually changes as you grow, from attribution and paid media to leadership and team building. "You have to be really comfortable relying on your other leaders… You need to find good people to surround yourself with that you can trust because you can't do it all yourself. And even if you do, you're not going to be able to put your all into what actually matters for you." – Rob Schmidt If you're trying to grow, simplify, or step into your role as a true operator, this episode will challenge how you think about scaling. You Will Learn: Why you cannot scale without trusting your team and how to delegate effectively What changes when you are spending millions per month on paid media How to think about attribution across multiple models and time windows Why relying on a single attribution model can lead to poor decisions How to evaluate new channels and big marketing bets The truth about brand versus direct response and what actually drives growth How to use data and internal tracking to make better marketing decisions Why top operators constantly revisit fundamentals and keep learning Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Mentor Table: https://landing.smartmarketer.com/pages/mentor-table OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00:16 – Introduction & Live Mentor Table Session 00:01:13 – Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend 00:02:16 – Meet Rob Schmidt & His $300M Brands 00:03:18 – Inside Winona & Willow 00:04:10 – Rob's Journey from Agency to Operator 00:07:20 – Leadership Shift: Delegation and Hiring 00:09:31 – Paid Media at Scale: What Actually Changes 00:10:39 – Attribution Challenges and Data Complexity 00:12:46 – Direct Response vs Brand Marketing 00:15:10 – Making Big Bets and Testing New Channels 00:17:39 – What Winning Looks Like Moving Forward 00:21:48 – Q&A: Attribution Tools and Data Strategy 00:25:41 – Measuring Organic Traffic and SEO Impact 00:28:21 – Brand vs Direct Response Budget Decisions 00:29:42 – Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Call to Action (CTA): If you enjoyed this episode, help us get it in front of more marketers. Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email support@smartmarketer.com If you are ready to grow faster, check out our free trainings and resources at Smart Marketer. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Episode 271: Meta Ads Q&A: Targeting Evolution, Retargeting & What Actually Matters Now Episode Description Are you overthinking your campaign structure while missing what actually drives results? In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman and Smart Marketer's Director of Advertising, Denis Paskalev, continue the Meta Ads Q&A series, diving into retargeting, targeting strategy, and how the algorithm is really working in 2026. From whether you still need separate retargeting campaigns to how creative is now doing the heavy lifting, this conversation breaks down where marketers should actually be focusing their time and energy. "You don't really need to have a separate retargeting campaign because the algorithm is going to do a lot of this." – Denis Paskalev If you are still relying on outdated targeting tactics or overcomplicating your setup, this episode will help you simplify and win. You Will Learn • Whether Meta automatically handles retargeting inside consolidated campaigns • When it actually makes sense to run separate retargeting campaigns • Why broad targeting is becoming the default and what that means for your strategy • How creative and ad copy now act as your primary targeting tools • The role of messaging in attracting different customer avatars • How Meta uses signals like visuals, text, and audio to find the right audience • When to use interest targeting and why it may disappear soon • How to approach testing campaigns with broad versus guided targeting • Practical ways to research and validate customer avatars • How to uncover new audiences using customer data, reviews, and competitors Links & Resources • Free Meta Ads Mini Class – https://smartmarketer.com/meta-ads-mini-class-v3/ • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com• Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Time Stamps 00:00:17 – Introduction: Continuing the Meta Ads Q&A Series 00:01:12 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and Email and SMS Growth 00:02:16 – Does Meta Handle Retargeting Automatically 00:03:20 – When You Should Use a Separate Retargeting Campaign 00:03:26 – Is Interest Targeting Still Relevant 00:04:27 – How Creative Becomes the New Targeting 00:05:07 – How Meta Indexes Creative, Copy, and Audio Signals 00:07:17 – Broad vs Interest Targeting for Testing Campaigns 00:09:03 – How to Research and Validate Customer Avatars 00:10:21 – Using AI and Customer Reviews for Avatar Insights 00:11:32 – Leveraging Reddit, Forums, and Ad Comments 00:12:43 – Identifying New Avatars from Real Customer Behavior 00:14:51 – Why Business Owners Miss New Opportunities 00:15:06 – Using Competitor Research and Meta Data to Refine Targeting 00:16:20 – Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Your Engagement Matters Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.

Episode 269: Meta Ads Q&A: Creative, Budgets, and What's Actually Working Right Now Episode Description In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman, CEO of Smart Marketer, and Denis Paskalev, Director of Advertising, answer real questions from marketers navigating the shift in Meta ads, starting with one of the biggest concerns right now: can small businesses still win? They break down the reality behind creative demands, including whether you really need dozens of new ads every week, and what actually drives performance when budgets are limited. "The information that we give you are our best practices of what we see in terms of companies that are growing really quickly." – Molly Pittman If you're trying to simplify your Meta strategy and get better results without overcomplicating things, this episode will give you a practical path forward. You Will Learn • Why Meta ads still work for small businesses with limited budgets • The truth about needing large volumes of creative • How to approach campaign structure without overcomplicating it • When to consolidate campaigns versus splitting them for more control • Why your offer matters more than your campaign setup • Creative lead generation strategies beyond "get a quote" • How to structure campaigns for local service businesses • Ways to target local audiences and avoid wasted spend • How to think about lifetime value when running local ads Links & Resources • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Smart Marketer Agency – https://smartmarketeragency.com/ • Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com• Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Time Stamps 00:00:15 – Introduction to the Meta Ads Q&A 00:01:00 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and email/SMS growth 00:02:05 – Can small businesses still win on Meta? 00:03:11 – Do you really need dozens of new creatives? 00:04:27 – Should you stop running Meta ads or keep going? 00:05:04 – Can you scale with just one strong ad? 00:06:41 – Campaign structure for local service businesses 00:07:37 – Why "get a quote" is a weak lead magnet 00:08:29 – Creative offer ideas that actually convert 00:10:35 – One offer versus multiple funnels 00:10:47 – When to combine or split campaigns 00:11:41 – Budget allocation and controlling performance 00:12:42 – High-converting example: the LASIK calculator 00:13:53 – How to target locals instead of tourists 00:14:54 – Tripwires and entry offers for local businesses 00:16:55 – Thinking in lifetime value for local ads 00:18:15 – Advanced location targeting tips 00:20:01 – Creative strategies for local ad performance 00:21:13 – Final thoughts and wrap-up Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.

Episode Description In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman is joined by Smart Marketer's Director of Advertising, Denis Paskalev, for a live Meta Ads Q&A where they answer real questions from marketers about what is actually working with Meta ads in 2026. From campaign structure and creative testing to scaling strategies and performance metrics, this conversation breaks down the modern approach to Meta ads in a world where targeting is driven more by creative, messaging, and landing pages than traditional audience targeting. If you are running ads for ecommerce, SaaS, info products, or local businesses, this episode will give you practical guidance on how to structure, test, and scale campaigns in today's Meta ecosystem. "I think people are putting too much pressure on trying to figure out the exact winning campaign structure, where actually there are other things that are usually more important." – Denis Paskalev You Will Learn • Why there is no single perfect Meta ad campaign structure and what actually matters more • When to use CBO versus ABO for creative testing and campaign control • How to handle situations where one ad receives most of the budget in Meta campaigns • The difference between vertical and horizontal scaling in today's ad ecosystem • Why scaling often causes CPAs to spike and how to prevent it • How creative, messaging, and landing pages now act as targeting signals for Meta • The metrics to evaluate during the first one to three days of ad testing • When to move a winning creative from testing to scaling campaigns • Whether videos and static ads should be tested together or separately Links & Resources • Free Meta Ads Mini Class – https://smartmarketer.com/meta-ads-mini-class-v3/ • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com• Smart Marketer Podcast – https://smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show/ • Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Time Stamps 00:00:21 – Introduction to the Meta Ads Q&A 00:01:08 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and Email/SMS Growth 00:02:11 – Molly introduces the live Meta ads Q&A session 00:03:13 – The truth about Meta campaign structure in 2026 00:04:14 – Why Meta sometimes allocates most of the budget to one ad 00:05:41 – CBO versus ABO for creative testing 00:06:56 – Vertical and horizontal scaling strategies 00:07:58 – Why increasing budgets can break campaigns 00:09:38 – When to move a winning ad from testing to scaling 00:11:18 – How long ads should stay in testing campaigns 00:11:32 – Metrics to evaluate during the first days of testing 00:13:14 – Testing static versus video creatives Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.

Episode Description Most eCommerce brands are obsessed with traffic. But what if the real growth lever isn't more clicks? What if it's better monetization of the audience you already have? In this special training, originally delivered live in partnership with Omnisend, Ezra Firestone breaks down the exact framework he uses across his 8-figure brands to turn email and SMS into 30–40% of total revenue. This episode goes far beyond "send more emails." You'll learn how to structure a merchandising calendar with major campaigns, micro-offers, product launches, live events, and strategic content that keeps revenue flowing all year long while building a more valuable business asset you can eventually sell. If you care about profit, retention, and long-term brand equity, this is required listening. "Email and SMS are king and queen of revenue, and they should really account for 30 to 40% of your total sales. And if they're not… you got work to do." – Ezra Firestone You Will Learn: • Why email and SMS should drive 30–40% of your total revenue • The real difference between major campaigns and micro-offers • How to structure a merchandising calendar that creates predictable revenue spikes • Why most brands under-promote and how to fix it • The highest-performing eCommerce promotions including BOGOs, bundles, and threshold offers • How to use product launches even when you are not launching something new • When and how to use SMS during campaigns • How to increase average order value with bundles, basket builders, and one-click upsells • A proven email layout structure that increases clicks and reduces unsubscribes • How to use AI to scale content creation without losing brand voice Links & Resources Omnisend Special Offer for Smart Marketer Listeners https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Smart Marketer https://smartmarketer.com Zipify Apps https://zipify.com Timestamps 00:00:20 Introduction: Building a More Valuable Business Asset 00:01:14 Why Ezra Trusts Omnisend for Email and SMS 00:02:17 The Real Game: Wealth Creation Through Asset Building 00:07:22 Inside a $10M eCommerce P&L 00:10:32 Why Email and SMS Are King and Queen of Revenue 00:15:35 Email vs. SMS Conversion Rates Explained 00:17:04 The eCommerce Ecosystem from Traffic to Retention 00:23:17 What a Merchandising Calendar Really Is 00:25:59 Major Campaigns vs. Micro Offers 00:27:40 Why Product Launches Prevent Revenue Plateaus 00:31:51 Examples of Major Campaign Structures 00:34:55 How to Run High-Converting Micro Offers 00:36:21 Launching Products Without Creating Something New 00:40:22 When to Use SMS in Your Campaigns 00:41:14 The Types of Content That Build Trust and Drive Sales 00:46:44 Black Friday Cyber Monday Breakdown 00:48:09 Increasing AOV with Bundles and Basket Builders 00:52:29 Promoting Across Every Channel 00:56:13 The Proven Email Structure 00:59:42 Campaign Communication Frameworks 01:00:26 Why You Should Not Ignore the Shop App 01:01:10 Final Strategy Recap 01:02:28 Outro YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! If this episode helped you rethink how you approach email, SMS, and merchandising, share it with another founder or marketer who needs it. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407 Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Questions or feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

Episode Description Shopify just released a feature that most brands have not noticed yet, but it could completely change how eCommerce stores grow, monetize traffic, and increase conversion rates. In this episode, Pep Hufen, CEO of Smart Marketer Agency, breaks down Shopify's new Product Network, a system that lets your store sell other brands' products directly inside your own site without inventory, fulfillment, or losing the customer relationship. "This isn't an ad network. Shopify is building an ecosystem flywheel." - Pep Hufen If you run a Shopify store or work with brands that do, this is a must-listen. You Will Learn How Shopify's Product Network actually works and why it is not an affiliate program How to monetize lost intent when shoppers search for products you do not carry Why this feature can increase conversion rate, average order value, and ROAS without more ad spend How Shopify is positioning itself as the anti-Amazon Why collaborative commerce beats marketplaces for brand owners What early adopters can do now to gain a compounding advantage Links & Resources Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartmarketerig Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Prefer video? Watch Pep Hufen explain Shopify's Product Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAvm3eu-B0Q Omnisend (Smart Marketer Exclusive Offer): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50 percent off your first three months Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00:17 Introduction and why Shopify's update matters 00:01:21 What this change means for Shopify brands 00:01:32 Sponsor message and Omnisend recommendation 00:02:35 What Shopify's Product Network is and what it is not 00:03:19 How selling products you do not carry works 00:04:06 Why this is not an ad network 00:05:00 Shopify's real goal and fixing eCommerce leakage 00:05:53 Turning lost intent into new revenue 00:06:43 Increasing the value of every paid click 00:07:36 Why Amazon cannot replicate this model 00:08:27 The three flywheel loops powering the Product Network 00:09:16 What this changes for your catalog strategy 00:10:03 Why customer ownership stays with the host store 00:10:56 Why early movers will capture the biggest advantage 00:11:06 Final thoughts and closing Your Engagement Matters Thank you for listening to the Smart Marketer Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, share the episode with a fellow Shopify brand owner, and tag us on social using #SmartMarketerPodcast. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

Ep. 261 - 2026 Marketing Outlook: Vulnerability, AI, & Finding Your Edge Episode Description What will it take to grow and compete in 2026? In this high-energy kickoff episode, Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier share the five BIG themes shaping the year ahead - from AI-powered marketing tools to new ad platforms, and the rising importance of raw, real storytelling. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what Smart Marketer is launching (including a dog supplement brand), plus actionable strategies to future-proof your business and cut through the noise in an AI-saturated landscape. "The more that AI ramps up, the more that we as marketers and business owners need to lean into vulnerability, into being real, into telling long, genuine stories in our marketing message, because that is what's going to help consumers realize that we are real people, that you can know, like, and trust." – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: Why vulnerability-driven storytelling is your superpower in an AI world How to thrive in a saturated market (yes, even in 2026) The new ad channel Smart Marketer is going all-in on (hint: it's not Meta) What AI search ads mean for marketers and what to expect from ChatGPT ads The number one way to cut costs (and boost profit) in your eCommerce business this year Sneak peek: Smart Marketer's new AI tool, Meta Ads class, and pet supplement brand Links & Resources: Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Show – smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show Smart Marketer YouTube – youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT Fields of Freedom – fofdogrescue.com Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps 00:00 - Intro: Welcome + What This Episode Is All About 02:28 - Behind the Scenes: New Tools, Brands & Projects at Smart Marketer 06:32 - Theme 1: Vulnerability Over AI - Why Realness Wins in 2026 09:14 - Long-Form Storytelling: The New Edge in Advertising 11:53 - Theme 2: There's Still Room in Saturated Markets (Seriously) 14:03 - Molly's Mindset Shift: "You're Not Too Late" 16:26 - Theme 3: A New Ad Channel That's Actually Working - AppLovin 20:42 - Real Results: Why Smart Marketer is Betting Big on AppLovin 21:50 - Theme 4: AI Search & The Future of ChatGPT Ads 24:32 - AI Tools, Maintenance & Training: Staying Relevant in 2026 26:14 - Theme 5: Reduce Costs in Your Tech Stack (Without Sacrificing Power) 28:40 - Action Step: Review Your Subscriptions and Tools This Quarter 29:51 - Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts and What's Ahead for Smart Marketer Your Engagement Matters Thanks for listening to The Smart Marketer Podcast If you enjoyed the episode, please: Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share the episode on social media and tag us @smartmarketer Got feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Episode 259: A Product Alone Won't Save You (with John Grimshaw, Colleen Taylor, Adam Von Rothfelder & Parker Hilton) Episode Description You can have the best product in the world, but if you're not integrating it with the right brand identity, presentation, and customer insight, it's not going to win. In this behind-the-scenes episode from the Smart Business Systems course, you'll hear the real story of how the GigaLabs team launched a nootropic product in just 8 weeks, from nothing but a brand idea to standing out on the global stage. This episode features a dynamic conversation between Smart Marketer's John Grimshaw, Boom's Colleen Taylor, Strong Coffee CEO Adam Von Rothfelder, and Parker Hilton of GigaLabs. If you're looking to build products that actually sell, this one's a masterclass. "A product alone won't save you. It has to be about the integration of the product, the brand image, and the way you're presenting it, with a real understanding of the customer." – John Grimshaw You Will Learn: Why a strong product means nothing without the right branding and positioning How GigaLabs launched in just 8 weeks with an unforgettable customer experience The power of emotional connection and understanding your audience Real-world product launch lessons you can apply in your own business How visual branding, packaging, and even outfits helped GigaLabs go viral Why new products are the lifeblood of DTC brands Links & Resources: Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Product Creation Course – smartmarketer.com/smart-product-creation Adam Von Rothfelder – linkedin.com/in/vonrothfelder GigaLabs – gigalabs.com Strong Coffee Company – strongcoffeecompany.com OmniSend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months) Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Why product alone isn't enough 01:09 Ezra Firestone on why Smart Marketer uses OmniSend 02:23 Meet the Team: Parker, Colleen, John & Adam 04:05 From brand idea to live product in 8 weeks 05:20 Reworking the brand identity from "sleepy" to "vibrant" 06:48 The pivot: From nothing to GigaLabs 09:53 How GigaLabs targeted the D-gen crypto audience 12:21 Building emotional connection with your ideal customer 13:15 The power of physical presentation: The GigaBoy jumpsuits 15:41 What brands can learn from standout Expo activations 17:03 Attention to detail: From Pantone palettes to packaging 18:07 Why GigaLabs inspired this course 19:42 John Grimshaw's Golden Rule: A product alone won't save you 20:19 Building a brand flywheel & strong product feedback loops 21:03 Final thoughts on loyalty, purpose & what's next Call to Action If this episode inspired you to rethink how you bring products to life, let us know. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts – Click Here Share this episode and tag us @smartmarketer using the hashtag #WeOutHere Got feedback? We'd love to hear it: support@smartmarketer.com

🎙️ Episode 257: How to Craft Offers That Convert in 2026 Episode Description Want to scale in 2026? It all starts with the right offer. In this never-before-released session from the Smart Ecommerce course, Molly Pittman, John Grimshaw, and Ezra Firestone break down the art and strategy of crafting irresistible offers that speak directly to your audience. Whether you're selling journals, leggings, or skincare, this episode is packed with proven tactics to increase conversions—without racing to the bottom with discounts. "Your product is not the offer […] it's the vehicle to get your customer where they want to go." – Molly Pittman You'll walk away with fresh clarity on what makes an offer work, how to structure bundles, bonuses, and price points for 2026, and why landing pages still reign supreme. You Will Learn: Why great offers go beyond just product features. How to identify the right "who" for your product (and why it matters). The difference between product pages and high-converting landing pages. How to structure bundles and promotions that boost AOV. Smart discounting strategies that protect your brand's value. Real-world examples of offer optimization that increased conversions by 30–50%. Links & Resources: 💡 Smart ECommerce Course – Learn how to build offers that actually convert: https://smartmarketer.com/smart-ecommerce 🚀 Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com 📷 Instagram – @smartmarketerig 📧 Omnisend – Try our favorite email & SMS platform and get 50% off your first 3 months: smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code: SMART) Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00 – Intro: Behind-the-Scenes From the Smart ECommerce Course 01:04 – Why Offers Are More Than Just Products 03:49 – Product Pages vs. Landing Pages 05:20 – The Importance of Knowing Your Customer Avatar 08:13 – Bundling Products for Seasonal & Niche Offers 09:47 – Scaling Through Landing Page Personalization 11:46 – Offers for Multi-Audience Products (Like Resistance Band Leggings) 12:14 – How to Build Your First High-Converting Offer 15:02 – Discounting: What's Too Much & Why It Matters 17:11 – Adding Bonuses, Not Just Subtracting Price 18:42 – The "Stuffed Duffle" Strategy: Why Creative Offers Win 20:23 – Offer Optimization: Messaging Over Micro Tweaks 22:13 – Real Example: From "Leggings with Resistance Bands" to "Burn 255 More Calories a Day" Your Engagement Matters! 💬 Love this episode? Help us spread the word: ⭐️ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us on Instagram using #WeOutHere 📧 Got feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit 🚀