Ep. 193, How To Build A Real Brand (Not Just A Business)
Release Date: 04/23/2024
Episode 216: Why Now Is the Best Time to Start an Ecom Business
The Smart Marketer Podcast
🎙 Episode 216: Why Now Is the Best Time to Start an Ecom Business Episode Description "This is the best time, I think, better than when I got into the industry over 15 years ago to get started in e-commerce." – Ezra Firestone In this special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on an exclusive session from the Smart eCommerce course. Ezra Firestone is joined by Laura Paladino and Kurt Elster to talk about the evolution of ecommerce—and why there’s never been a better moment to dive in. From Laura’s journey working four jobs (including Cracker Barrel) to becoming Director of...
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Episode 215: Winning Ad Creative: What Works Now & How to Measure It
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 215 – Smart Marketer Show Winning Ad Creative: What Works Now & How to Measure It Episode Description What makes an ad actually perform in 2025? In this episode, John Grimshaw and Ben Bennett pull back the curtain on the creative process that drives real sales—from emotional resonance to performance metrics. You’ll learn why good creative starts with empathy, how to identify your strongest hooks, and which numbers really matter. Plus, we introduce a brand-new metric (yes, we named it), and show you how AI is changing the creative game—without replacing your team. “If...
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Episode 214: Strategy Meets Soul: What 2024 Taught Us About Marketing, Mindset & Staying Human in 2025
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 214: Strategy Meets Soul: What 2024 Taught Us About Marketing, Mindset & Staying Human in 2025 Episode Description 2024 was a year that tested every marketer’s resilience—and in this vulnerable, insight-packed interview, Molly Pittman sits down with Alex Cattoni from the Copy Posse to share what she learned from the trenches. From managing over $600M in ad spend to navigating the emotional highs and lows of leadership, Molly pulls back the curtain on what’s really working in 2025—and how to stay human in the age of AI. You’ll walk away with tactical strategies to boost...
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Episode 213: What’s Working Now in Ecomm: Hook Strategy, AI Signals & Smarter Offer Design
The Smart Marketer Podcast
This week, Molly Pittman and Brett Curry are pulling back the curtain on what’s working right now in digital marketing—and what’s not. From creative hooks and audience targeting to offer structure and AI-powered platform changes, this episode is stacked with real-world strategies to help you stay profitable and ahead of the curve. As marketing shifts and tracking becomes trickier, it’s more important than ever to get your data right. That’s why we’re proud to have Hyros supporting this episode—a platform built to give marketers crystal-clear attribution so you can stop guessing...
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Episode 212: The 2025 Marketing Shift: How to Stay Ahead in a Changing Landscape
The Smart Marketer Podcast
In this exclusive live session from Smart Marketer Live, Molly Pittman and John Grimshaw dive into the biggest challenges businesses face in 2025 and, more importantly, the strategies you need to stay ahead. From rising ad costs to shifting consumer behavior and increased competition, this episode is packed with insights on how to adapt and thrive. “We’re in the middle of a major shift. The businesses that succeed in 2025 are the ones that pivot fast, embrace change, and double down on what works.” – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: • Why ad costs are rising (and what you can do about...
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Episode 211: Scaling Faster: The Metrics That Actually Matter
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Are you still tracking Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)? If so, it’s time for an upgrade. In this episode, Molly Pittman and John Grimshaw dive into Customer Value Velocity (CVV)—a smarter, more actionable metric that helps businesses scale faster and make better marketing decisions. Learn how top brands are using CVV to increase revenue, improve monetization, and acquire the right customers. “If you’re only tracking LTV, you’re missing the full picture of how revenue is really flowing in your business.” – John Grimshaw You Will Learn: Why LTV is outdated and what to track...
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Episode 210: DTC Brands to Watch: Plufl Brand Study
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Molly Pittman is back with another DTC Brands to Watch episode, and this time she’s diving into Plufl, the brand that turned a simple concept—dog beds—into a viral human comfort product. Discover how their innovative marketing, branding, and product expansion have made them a leader in the space. “Plufl took a familiar product and reimagined it. This is a case study in creative branding and audience expansion.” – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: • How Plufl transformed a commodity into a viral DTC product. • The power of niche marketing and expanding to multiple customer...
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Episode 209: Scaling With Heart
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode Description In this powerful episode, Molly Pittman shares her inspiring journey of integrating purpose-driven work into her entrepreneurial career. Recorded live at the Four Rooms Mastermind, Molly discusses how her experience building the Fields of Freedom dog rescue has transformed her business, fueled personal growth, and reinforced the importance of structured generosity. She also reveals actionable insights on how entrepreneurs can create lasting impact while scaling their companies. “Your energy source must go beyond just business—it must come from something deeper,...
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Episode 208: More Revenue, Better Customers: The Marketing Levers That Work
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Molly Pittman is back with an unfiltered look at what’s working in DTC marketing right now! In this episode, she breaks down the biggest trends shaping 2025—from revenue growth to the power of hybrid business models—and shares practical strategies you can implement today. Plus, hear how Smart Marketer is using AI, optimizing lead generation, and leveraging email warming campaigns to drive engagement. “They key to winning in 2025? Focus on what your customer needs, optimize for revenue, and stay adaptable.” – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: The must-know DTC trends and tactics...
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Episode 207: How NutriPaw Scaled to an 8-Figure Pet Brand
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Molly Pittman sits down with Connor Westby, an entrepreneur who successfully scaled NutriPaw a pet supplement company, into an eight-figure brand. They dive deep into the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the strategies that helped Connor achieve massive growth. If you're looking for actionable insights on business scaling, marketing, and product expansion, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways! "You get to a place where no one truly understands your business like you do, and that’s both a blessing and a curse." – Connor Westby You Will Learn: How Connor transitioned...
info_outlineDo you want to attract die-hard fans and turn them into loyal customers?
The fact is, 'the game has changed,' and faceless brands are dying off. So, for today's episode, we're sharing a Webinar that E-Commerce Guru Ezra Firestone just recorded. It's full of his insights and strategies for truly taking your business to the next level. You will learn his Engage and Filter Method and his ICOSA system, which stands for Ideation, Creation, Optimization, Syndication, and Amplification.
You Will Learn,
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How To You Build A Brand With High Repeat Rate
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What Types of Content Resonate the Most
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The Power Of A Tag line
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What You Need to Know About Technology
And more!
"Rather than interrupting users' attention in order to market to them, the business opportunity is in capturing people's attention and channeling this attention to an appropriate offer when relevant." Ezra Firestone
Links
Ezra Is Teaching Train My Social Media Manager; find out more here: https://smartmarketer.com/train-my-social-media-manager/
Ezra Firestone, https://smartmarketer.com/about/
Follow and Tag @EzraFirestone on Socials
Time Stamps
01:10 Ezra Begins With His Family History
05:12 "We are the first generation of people who can communicate instantaneously with everyone worldwide and also do commerce with them, and we're still at the very beginning of this. You haven't missed the boat. We are at the very beginning of this. And it's incredible. Online commerce continues to grow and take over more and more of the marketplace". Ezra Firestone
05:46 What Is A Real Brand?
11:42 The Faceless Brand Is Dying
17:16 "The How": The Engage And Filter Method
20:45 Video Tips and Winning Formulas
23:58 "Marketing is 100 percent about communicating to a prospect what the ownership benefit of your product is. What will they get, feel, have, become, obtain, and use? When they buy your product or when they use your product." Ezra Firestone
36:57 Molly Speaks To Those Looking For Direct Response Results
31.43 Other Content Strategies For Building A Brand
33:03 The ICOSA System
37:40 A Note About Technology
39:38 Brand Identity Affirmation
47:06 Amplification: This Is How You Create Engagement
49:36 It's About Resource Generation
51:08 We Can Help You Do This: Train My Social Media Manager
55:00 There Are Two Types Of Businesses
YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS
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