The Ecommerce Influence Podcast

We came to the somewhat-shocking conclusion that nearly 70% of our business comes from referrals...the easiest, cheapest, and most qualified acquisition channel in any business, including ecommerce.

When trying to grow your business you have to make some crucial decisions around client acquisition and where to focus. Referral marketing is often an area that is overlooked or taken for granted.

And if you're not getting at least 25% of your business from referral marketing then you're leaving a lot of money on the table.

It’s amazing what you can miss when you don’t analyze where your clients and your best ROI come from. When you do you can realize you’re missing out on some major wins.

In today’s show we’re going to share what happened when we realized that 70% of our business comes referrals, and how you can apply what we learned to your ecommerce store to ensure referrals make up at least 25% of your revenue.

Austin runs through an effective and simple referral plan that you can implement and we'll provide access to one of his referral marketing presentations that breaks down the "art & science" of referral marketing even further.

Key Takeaways from the Show

  • What we just learned about our client acquisition
  • How you can implement a similar referral model into your ecommerce business.
  • Why gift cards aren’t devaluing your brand.
  • How to start partnering with companies. (and why it makes sense)

Links / Resources

Subscribe & Review

To get more awesome Ecommerce Influence content sent directly to your device and into your ears as they become available, you can easily subscribe.

Also, ratings and reviews on iTunes (hopefully 5-stars!) help us tremendously a we’re very grateful for them. We do read all of the reviews and we’ll answer your questions or comments on future episodes.

Direct download: EI075_Referral.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am CDT

Having a business partner can be the best decision you ever make for your business, or it could be the worst if you don't know how to choose wisely.

We have now been formal business partners for over a year and recently we hit a rough patch in our relationship professionally and personally. 

But just like any great "real life" marriage that builds it's foundation on the principle of clear, constant, and honest communication we've been able to navigate rough waters and push forward to help our company grow.

With the experiences we've had in our partnership in recent weeks we decided it'd be a great time to open up our relationship, tell you why and how we chose to partner with each other, and how we've been able to make our "marriage" last this long and for, what we hope will be, many more years to come.

Use our experiences to find the right partner for you or improve the current one you have.

Key Takeaways

  • What business was like before and after partnering and why we believe finding a business partner is best for your business growth.
  • The 7 criteria you can use to help you choose the right business partner.
  • 4 must-know tips to maintaining your partnership for the long haul.
  • An on-air, non-scripted, authentic & honest assessment of each other in our partnership.

Subscribe & Review

To get more awesome Ecommerce Influence content sent directly to your device and into your ears as they become available, you can easily subscribe.

Also, ratings and reviews on iTunes (hopefully 5-stars!) help us tremendously a we’re very grateful for them. We do read all of the reviews and we’ll answer your questions or comments on future episodes.

Direct download: EI074_Business_Partnership.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am CDT

We start a business because we want more freedom...but we often find ourselves with quite the opposite.

There are a lot of easier ways to make money than starting a business, but we don't typically start a business for the money. We start them for the freedom a successful business can bring.

Yet we often find ourselves just trying to make it through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the slow times and the overwhelming times, all of which make it feel like we're always in that dreaded "survival mode".

In this episode we're going to discuss when we, personally, are stuck in survival mode, what it feels like for us, and how to get out of it, including our best tips, tricks, and habits for maximizing your mindset so you can better handle your business, your family, and other personal obligations.

Having the right entrepreneurial mindset is what keeps us going forward, but sometimes it's easier said than done. We can help.

If you don't change your mindset...don't expect to see different results.

Key Takeaways from the Show

  • Where we’re at with Ecommerce Influence.
  • Why mindset has such a critical role in the entrepreneurial journey.
  • The most important piece of advice that Richard Branson gives and what that means for you.
  • What you should eliminate from your life and why.

Links / Resources

Subscribe & Review

To get more awesome Ecommerce Influence content sent directly to your device and into your ears as they become available, you can easily subscribe.

Also, ratings and reviews on iTunes (hopefully 5-stars!) help us tremendously a we’re very grateful for them. We do read all of the reviews and we’ll answer your questions or comments on future episodes.

Direct download: EI073_Mindset_rev01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am CDT

The "Tim Ferriss Effect" is REAL according to Mizzen+Main's founder Kevin Lavelle. So real in fact, that sponsoring Tim's podcast has been the single greatest decision he's ever made to grow the company.

Kevin Lavelle is the founder of Mizzen+Main, which manufactures American made, moisture wicking, wrinkle free dress shirts.

Happy customers include pro athletes, successful CEO’s, and notable celebrities such as Tim Ferriss.

Mizzen and Main received $1.2 million in funding last August and Kevin says he plans to use the new funding to raise brand awareness and grow sales of Mizzen+Main clothing online, via select retail relationships and creative pop-up shops and trade shows, amongst other things.

Kevin’s joined us to tell his story and teach us what he’s learned from his experiences buying ads in Esquire, getting $1.2 million in funding, and sponsoring The Tim Ferriss show.

Key Takeaways from the Show

  • What to do if you're considering raising money for your ecommerce company.
  • Why the "Tim Ferriss Effect" is real and how to test the waters of podcast sponsorship to see if it makes sense for you.
  • What he's doing to grow his ecommerce business to $10mil+

Links / Resources

Mizzen and Main website Kevin on Twitter Kevin's Articles on Medium Tim Ferriss Podcast

Subscribe & Review

To get more awesome Ecommerce Influence content sent directly to your device and into your ears as they become available, you can easily subscribe.

Also, ratings and reviews on iTunes (hopefully 5-stars!) help us tremendously a we’re very grateful for them. We do read all of the reviews and we’ll answer your questions or comments on future episodes.

Direct download: EI072_Kevin_Lavelle.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am CDT

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