Sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flocksy

Sarah Fitzgerald of Flocksy joins the podcast to talk about how she thinks about building string, productive business partnerships and Mike gets chaotic with some Google AI overview topics.

Sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Flocksy

Jason Greenwood of Greenwood consulting joins the pod to explore the new pressures of B2B suppliers are facing to incorporate eCommerce infrastructure into the supply-side ecosystem.

Sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠Flocksy

Nikita Vakhrushev, CEO of Aspekt Agency, joins the show to talk email and SMS best practices (and what to avoid) in eCommerce. What problems does email and SMS help solve for eCommerce brands? How should they fit into the larger digital omni-channel?

Sponsor: ⁠⁠Flocksy

Project Managers Brooke Baker and Deanna Gomez from creative agency Flocksy share how to manage a creative team - connecting creativity with agile project management to achieve better results faster in your marketing ecosystem.

Sponsor: ⁠Flocksy

In this episode we welcomed back Drew Himel, CEO of Fireside Digital, to discuss the latest trends and strategies in conversion rate optimization (CRO). Drew shared insights from his 17 years in the digital space, highlighting the evolution of Fireside Digital and their focus on optimizing conversion rates and customer lifecycle marketing for e-commerce brands.

Drew emphasized the importance of leveraging AI in content creation and predictive analytics to enhance CRO efforts. He noted that while AI simplifies many processes, the human touch in strategy and understanding client needs remains crucial. Drew also discussed the impact of the impending deprecation of cookies on CRO, stressing the need for first-party data and tools like OpenSend and Black Crow AI to mitigate these challenges.

We delved into the significance of mobile optimization, intuitive navigation, and reducing friction in the customer journey. Drew provided practical tips, such as implementing sticky elements and simplifying homepage design, to improve conversion rates. He also highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to CRO, especially in the current economic climate where profitability and efficient growth are paramount.

Throughout the episode, Drew shared examples of successful CRO implementations and the measurable impact they have had on clients' bottom lines. He also touched on the need for marketers to understand financial metrics and the overall business impact of their efforts.

To wrap up, Drew invited listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn and subscribe to Fireside Digital's newsletter for more insights and updates. This episode provided valuable takeaways for e-commerce professionals looking to enhance their CRO strategies and drive sustainable growth.

Sponsor: Flocksy

In this episode we take a break from our usual guest lineup to have an insightful conversation with our CEO, Lee Roque. We dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of SEO and AI, discussing the recent Rakuten Optimism event in San Diego and the significant changes happening in the industry.

Industry Changes and AI Integration:

1. Lee shares his experiences from the Rakuten Optimism event, highlighting the advancements and changes in the e-commerce industry.

2. We discuss the fast-paced evolution of SEO and the impact of AI, particularly the integration of AI tools by companies like HubSpot.

3. The conversation touches on Google's AI overviews and the implications for SEO, including the controversy over Google's secretive ranking factors and the potential for AI to reduce website clicks.

Challenges with AI and Data Accuracy:

1. We explore the challenges posed by AI-generated content and the importance of validating AI outputs to avoid misinformation.
2. The discussion includes the pressure Google faces from competitors like ChatGPT and the potential for new search engines to emerge.

Agency Fatigue and Client Relationships:

1. Lee and I delve into the issue of agency fatigue, where clients have had negative experiences with previous agencies.
2. We emphasize the importance of data transparency, communication, and trust in building successful client-agency relationships.
3. The conversation highlights the need for agencies to understand their clients' business models and profitability to deliver effective strategies.

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Creative Operations and Performance:

1. The role of creative operations in campaign success is discussed, with a shoutout to our creative partner, Flocksy, for their support in producing high-quality marketing content.
2. We stress the importance of A/B testing, understanding customer lifetime value, and being agile in response to market changes.

We wrap up the episode by acknowledging the complexities of the e-commerce landscape and the need for collaboration between agencies and brands. Lee shares his vision for Finch as a trusted partner that helps clients grow and scale their businesses effectively.

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• LinkedIn: Finch

Sponsor: Flocksy

In this episode of the Ecomm Chats Happy Hour podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Charles Ryan, COO and co-founder of our creative partner, Flocksy. We delved into the nuanced differences between creative operations and creative direction, a topic that has been generating a lot of buzz, especially among our clients at Finch.

Charles provided a comprehensive definition of creative operations, describing it as the backbone of the creative team, ensuring all elements come together efficiently. Unlike traditional project management, which focuses on task completion and deadlines, creative operations encompass the overall process of how things get done.

We also discussed the impact of technology, particularly AI, on creative production. Charles highlighted that while AI is a powerful tool, it is not a replacement for human creativity. Instead, it serves as an enhancement, helping to streamline processes and improve output quality. Flocksy has recently integrated AI into their platform, allowing clients to generate images and text, thereby facilitating better communication of their vision to the creative team.

Charles shared insights into Flocksy's new UI update, which includes AI features to assist clients in project creation. This update aims to simplify the process and reduce the need for revisions by providing clients with tools to better articulate their ideas.

We touched on the challenges of balancing creative operations and creative direction, especially when clients are unsure of what they want. Charles emphasized the importance of communication and the role of creative professionals in guiding clients towards the best outcomes.

Towards the end of our conversation, we explored the future of creative operations and the potential of collaboration tools like Figma and Canva. Charles believes that these tools, combined with AI, will revolutionize how creative projects are managed and executed.

Sebastian Herz of Zignify joins the pod to showcase how eCommerce brands can build a profit flywheel by saving on sourcing costs and using that windfall to fund more marketing & sales.

Sponsor: Flocksy