Podcast
The Needle Movement Podcast
Hosted by Stephen Carl · EN
Unfiltered commentary on eCommerce, digital marketing and emerging trends like conversational marketing and sustainability. Stephen Carl and his guests dive into growth strategies, best practices and tools that move the needle. Enjoyed by retail brand owners, go-getters with Shopify stores and other entrepreneurs.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building the Perfect Welcome Series With Jeff Luscynski
Jun 22, 202300:41:30Tap to summarizeGet ready for an immersive podcast episode that's all about cracking the code of email marketing. Our special guest, Jeff Luscynski from Convert Factor - an email marketing agency – is here to join us. In this episode, Jeff will take us on a step-by-step journey through an ideal welcome series sequence. He'll break down each email, revealing the themes behind them, the psychological tactics in copywriting, and what essential elements to include in every message.Whether you're a newbie in email marketing or a seasoned pro, don't miss out on this episode that's packed with actionable tips and tricks on how to further master email marketing.Highlights:(06:15) email campaigns vs. automation: explaining the differences (08:51) Jeff goes thru a few optimization tricks during an email audit. (11:15) why the welcome sequence is low-hanging fruit for brands(14:o2) the cardinal sins of email: what brands do wrong and how to avoid those. (18:08) where copywriting fits into the email and how to stand out(21:01) how to add persuasion and humor into email creatives.(24:06) the elements of a killer welcome email sequence(25:10) email #1: letter from the founder. Telling the origin story and the product’s unique value.(29:44) email #2: the full sales argument - what your product solves.(32:27) email #3: features & benefits (33:15) email #4: frequently-asked questions(34:35) email #5: showcase customer reviews(35:44) email #6: the urgency email and using FOMO(36:48) Using static codes vs. dynamic codes in email marketing(37:50) Jeff tells us his favorite songConnect with Jeff Lussynski:Convert FactorWelcome Series Walkthrough Article Jeff’s eCommerce Brand LinkedIn
Transcribe →How to Double Your Sales with Chase Clymer
May 5, 202300:45:43Tap to summarizeChase Clymer is the Co-founder of Electric Eye, an agency that increases sales for eCommerce brands. Chase is also the host of Honest Ecommerce, a weekly podcast providing Shopify store owners with honest, actionable advice to increase their sales and grow their businesses.Listen in as he discusses strategies for eCommerce growth and how to scale Shopify brands. The ebook was created with the intention of helping Shopify brands simplify growth by focusing on three key performance indicators: conversion rate, average order value, and sessions.We’ll also tackle other topics towards the end, including the Grammys and Chase’s favorite songs.Highlights:(01:04) Download Chase’s free eBook about eCommerce Growth: Double Your Sales eBook (03: 59) Distilling Ecommerce Growth Strategy and Filtering the Noise(06:42) “eCommerce is Math”: The Simple Formula for store success.(09:25) Tips for Tracking Website Statistics & Improving Conversion Rates(13:33) How to Improve Website Performance: Landing Pages, Customer Journey, and Website Speed(18:52) Optimizing Your eCommerce Website for Higher Conversion Rates and Average Order Value(23:58) On-site Product Bundling and Upselling - Chase walks thru the entire cart experience and a great app that he recommends for stores. (27:50) The 3-Step Funnel of Online Business: Top, Middle and Bottom. (32:52) Mistakes Brands Make while Scaling Their Business: Don’t do this! (36:14) Importance of Adaptability in Brand Marketing(41:07) The Grammys and three song picks that Chase swears by. Connect with Chase Clymer:Website: https://brandscalingframework.com/ (download eBook here)Podcast: https://honestecommerce.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaseclymer/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerceOther Links:Triple Whale: https://www.triplewhale.com
Transcribe →How Noah Learner Tripled His Income with SEO
Feb 24, 202300:47:27Tap to summarizeSEO expert Noah Learner joins us for a lively discussion on how SEO can work for anyone while introducing a powerful new tool, Branch Explorer.Noah is the VP of Product at Two Octobers and has recently spoken at large marketing conferences including MozCon and SearchLoveListen in while he walks thru his SEO checklist and how he was able to triple his income in the past few years. Noah has some great career advice to share.We’ll also discuss other fun topics: the Yankee/Red Sox rivalry, Noah’s favorite song and how to master public speaking. Highlights:(00:04)Introducing Noah Learner(03:14) Noah’s take on TikTok. Is it a serious threat to SEO?(08:08)How do Shopify stores start with SEO? Noah provides 3 specific recommendations.(12:45)The Return on Investment for SEO and how brands can find obvious revenue there.(18:41) A powerful tool to use: Explorer for Search - it collects millions of rows of data from Google previous unseen to uncover insights.(23:09) How to Onboard the Explorer tool via a consultation.(25:38) How Noah built his personal network over many years which later led to higher income down the line. (31:51)Noah discusses his speaking experiences at large conferences and how to master public speaking.(35:02) Noah’s pre-game routine and what he does before a public presentation. (38:25) Noah’s favorite song in the universe.(40:33) Noah’s a Red Sox fan. Stephen’s a Yankees fan. Can they still be friends?Connect with Noah Learner:Website: Noah Learner - Two OctobersTwitter:Noah Learner (@noahlearner)LinkedIn:Noah Learner - Co-Founder / VP of Product - Branch ToolsLinks Mentioned:Branch.tools - Noah’s powerful new SEO toolJepto.com -Unify your marketing data and managementElla and Louis on Spotify
Transcribe →2023: Education, Copywriting, Email, New Blood.
Jan 3, 202300:28:46Tap to summarizeIt’s our first episode of the new year. Our #1 goal for 2023 is to make growth stress-free. No more late night freak-outs or tense meetings about hitting revenue numbers. We’ll review four initiatives that set you up for success: Education, Copywriting, Email Marketing and Customer Acquisition. They all work together to give savvy brands an enormous edge. We’ll cover how education sets you up for elite performance, why copywriting is the secret sauce to better results and how to balance getting new audiences in with keeping your current customers on cloud nine. Also included, is a 3-step email marketing action plan on what to prioritize – Hint: it’s the items that we’ve seen from our clients drive revenue the most. Image credit: Photo by Hadija Saidi on UnsplashHighlights:(02:40) Education in Digital Marketing and Ecommerce(04:19) Why marketers need to be open to education (07:36) How to get better at email marketing(10:22) Demystifying copywriting and why it’s the secret sauce to improve performance. (15:53) ChatGPT and AI-writing assistants(17:17) The Power of Email Marketing(18:43) 3 initiatives that will move the needle on email marketing. Which ones to prioritize?(24:27) What’s the right amount of customer acquisition?Links mentioned + guest website, and social accounts links and handle:Klaviyo Academy Dan Nelken CreativePostscriptBen SettleChatGPT: Optimizing Language Models for DialogueNeedle Movement Episode 27: Dan DemskyNeedle Movement Episode 54: Chase ClymerAsk Stephen a question about this episode: Stephen@needlemovement.com
Transcribe →7 New Klaviyo Features Email Marketers Should Know About
Oct 13, 202200:25:04Tap to summarizeKlaviyo, the most popular eCommerce email platform for Shopify stores, recently made a slew of product upgrades and a lot in eCommerce marketers are wondering – ‘What the heck am I going to do with all these new features?”Be sure not to miss this episode as Stephen walks through each new Klaviyo feature along with real-life examples from Needle Movement clients on eCommerce email campaigns and lifecycle automations. Can't wait to discuss the new Klaviyo feature that brands used to pay six-figures a year to have in their marketing toolbox and how it can save email and SMS marketers time building. Highlights:(00:55 )Klayvio’s Announcement of New Products(07:24)Email Marketing Guide: 10 Steps to Build Out Emails(13:05The New Updated Email Template Editor (14:40)The Integration of Google Ads(15:31 )New Feature: Product Recommendations(18:33)The Advanced Segmentation Reference (Audience Breakdown)(22:13)New Product Features: Text with Virtual Contact CardsLinks mentioned:New Email Editor: Create Engaging Emails, Faster | Klaviyo Product FeaturesKlaviyo Product Recommendations: Make Your Product Recommendations More Personal | Klaviyo Product FeaturesGoogle Ads: Google Ads Integration | Klaviyo Product UpdatesREST APIs: Klaviyo Rest APIs - Always New | Klaviyo Product Features
Transcribe →Lesser-Known Secrets to Black Friday/Cyber Monday Success
Sep 22, 202200:38:16Tap to summarizeAn in-depth show covering the less-discussed aspects of Black Friday / Cyber Monday email and sms strategy for eCommerce brands. Stephen will discuss the two things to do before the prime holiday season hits and walk through the entire holiday calendar through early 2023. The episode covers lessons learned from Needle Movement managing BFCM campaigns for many years and what digital marketers can expect for the most important sales season of the year.Make sure to stay tuned and don’t miss out on this episode!Highlights:(02:30) BFCM and the Holiday Season(03:54) The Idea of Learning, Unlearning and Re-learning(08:21) The Reason for SMS(10:50) Gorgias Chat: What’s in it?(14:20) What are the skills necessary for an email marketing team?(18:06) Why you need to prepare for email automation for the holiday season(21:52) The Holiday Calendar: What you need to know and things you should do(35:12) Few different flavors of messages that work with buyers and subscribersLinks:LinkedIn: Stephen Carl - Founder - Needle Movement | LinkedInWebsite: About Needle MovementMentioned:https://www.gorgias.com/Gorgias PlaybookThe CX-Driven Growth PlaybookAttentive Black FridayBlack Friday Cyber Monday | Attentive | AttentiveShopify Black FridayBlack Friday Ecommerce: 18 Idea, Tips, and Strategies for 2022Klaviyo Black FridayBlack Friday Cyber Monday email campaign examples [2022] | Klaviyo Blog
Transcribe →Success is not a place, it's a mode – Mental Health with Mike Rosen
Aug 22, 202200:40:35Tap to summarizeIt's the second appearance of Mike Rosen on the Needle Movement podcast. He's become our resident mental health expert (not officially, but sorta true).Mike and Stephen have an in-depth conversation about success and how to stay sane throughout your career, full of applicable tips listeners can use.Plus, he's also got an amazing relationship gem to share - it's that good.Mike's last appearance was episode 10 which was good enough that Stephen's family demanded his return (his mother requested it). So, we made it happen.What are you waiting for? Tune in and remember: Your mental health matters too! You deserve every opportunity for happiness and success in life!Highlights:(01:29) Getting to Know Mark Rosen(05:00) How has the pandemic impacted mental health for professionals and those in the business world?(10:43) How has mental health been impacted from the recent turn of events?(12:48) Remote Work vs American Working Culture(16:55) Myers Briggs Personality Profiles: Defining a Better Work Situation For You(19:24) What’s a healthier way of coming up with our own success metrics?(22:08) The LA Philosophy(24:20) Mark’s advice for a healthy marriage(29:24) Mark’s best piece of advice for you(31:29) Healing activities that you can do for your mental healthLinks:Instagram: Mike Rosen, MS. Ed. (@heymikerosen) • Instagram photos and videosWebsite: Mike Rosen Books mentioned:Dorie Clark’s BooksBooks - Dorie Clark
Transcribe →Getting the PR that You Deserve with Stephen Karaolis
Jul 22, 202200:38:41Tap to summarizeIn any business, good PR is always an edge. How can you establish high media exposure for your company?In today’s episode of the Needle Movement Podcast, we are joined by Stephen Karaolis, Founder and CEO of Pear the Agency– a PR agency focused on working with fast-growth companies and startups. Stephen and his team have landed clients in top-tier publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Glamour Inc, and more.Stephen will give us some tips on how companies should handle PR and how to use social media for additional exposure, and even how to build relationships with reporters that can help you with your press release or pitch. Highlights:(01:43) How did Pear the Agency start and what does it do for the clients?(08:27) How can you get that hook that's going to attract that attention that you want for your business?(:36) Twitter: A Great Place for PR and More Opportunities(14:09) Pear the Agency: How has it been growing throughout the years?(17:27) Online tools to help you measure PR(20:26) What is the process of validation in companies?(26:04) Stephen’s tips and point of view on doing PR(30:15) What is the best piece of advice that Stephen would share with a digital marketer? (36:06) Stephen’s one song that you should listen to at least once Links:Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenKaraolis?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorInstagram: Stephen Karaolis (@stephenkaraolis) • Instagram photos and videosLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkaraolis/overlay/contact-info/Website: Pear the AgencyEmail: stephen@pairtheagency.com
Transcribe →NFTs from an Artist's Perspective with Jesse Williams of Bushido Royale
May 31, 202200:25:06Tap to summarize“I'm not in this for the money, I'm in this for building community for having fun and being able to tell stories. ” -Jesse WilliamsIn today’s episode of The Needle Movement Podcast, we are joined by Jesse Williams. He is the artist and founder of multiple NFT projects including Bushido Apes and Bushido Royale (launching in early July 2022). Jesse will share about his journey from full-time chef to full-time artist, why he’s obsessed with samurai and his future vision of NFTs converging with tabletop gaming.Highlights:(02:15) Jesse’s journey in becoming an NFT Artist(04:38)NFTs from an Artist’s Point of View(06:10)What makes Bushido Apes and Bushido Royale special?(12:36)The Limitless Opportunities in NFTs(13:51)What platforms are used in Bushido Apes and Bushido Royale?(21:49)Jesse’s studio plans and his day-to-day as an artistLinks:Website:Bushido ApesBushido RoyaleLinkedIn:Jesse WilliamsEmail: Jessewilliams.art@gmail.com Mentioned:Akira KurosawaWelcome to Earth (Pollywog) · Sturgill Simpson
Transcribe →How to Build a Research Framework (that can be applied to anything)
Apr 2, 202200:29:22Tap to summarizeResearch can makes so much difference in our outcomes. Today, we walk through how to build a research framework. Due diligence is an undervalued art and a science. Done well, it’s simpler to select ideal partners and avoid bad ones. Tune in to this episode and we’ll share secrets on how to do research the right way, our test case is evaluating NFT projects with a couple examples including NBA Top Shot. What are you waiting for? Press that play button now!Cover image by Alessandro Bianchi on UnsplashHighlights:[3:35] Why we need research?[6:35] The Importance of Having a Research Framework[8:02] The components: Team, Artwork, Utility, Media, Business Community, Bias[8:40] The Team: Investing in great builders. [10:15] Artwork: You have to visually enjoy what you buy.[10:51] Artwork brings people in and Utility keeps them from selling.[13:05] Doing detective work and look at website, twitter and discord properties to find the dirt. [15:15] Business Capital: The power of VCs and celebrity and what to watch out for. [17:04] Research yourself and your own bias. [19:50] NBA Top Shot: Our evaluation using the Research Framework [23:37] Parallel NFT: Our Evaluation using the Research FrameworkLinks:Parallel NFT: https://parallel.life/NBA Top Shot: https://nbatopshot.com/Meltem Demirors: https://www.meltemdemirors.com/Paradigm’s $500 million investment into Parallel NFT https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/21/nft-sci-fi-card-game-parallel-raises-at-500m-valuation-from-paradigm/
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