Episode 213: What’s Working Now in Ecomm: Hook Strategy, AI Signals & Smarter Offer Design
Release Date: 04/02/2025
Episode 223: Cracking the Code on AppLovin Ads - A New Traffic Channel for DTC Brands
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 223: Cracking the Code on AppLovin Ads: A New Traffic Channel for DTC Brands Episode Description If you're tired of being stuck between Meta and Google for your media buys—this episode is for you. Pep Hufen is back with a behind-the-scenes look at AppLovin Ads: the breakout ad platform that’s scaling DTC brands like Breeze and Boom. Discover why this mobile-first platform is outperforming Google for some advertisers, how it works, and why it might just be your next great opportunity for customer acquisition. Plus, Pep shares a step-by-step walkthrough of how Smart Marketer tested...
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Episode 222: Build Your E-Commerce Site Right: How to Turn Browsers into Buyers
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode Description Your website is more than a digital storefront—it’s the heart of your brand. In this episode, John Grimshaw, Ezra Firestone, and Kurt Elster unpack the proven strategies behind high-converting e-commerce sites. From the pitfalls of homepage design to the power of mobile-first thinking, they reveal how to turn casual visitors into loyal customers. If you want to build a brand that lasts (not just a business that sells), this is your roadmap. "Get out of your own way. Your customers don't care how pretty your site is—they care how easy it is to buy." — Kurt Elster ...
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Episode 221: The 5 AI Tools I Use Daily as a CEO (to Save 10+ Hours per Week)
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 221: The 5 AI Tools I Use Daily as a CEO (to Save 10+ Hours per Week) Episode Description In this episode, our very own Pep Hufen, CEO of the Smart Marketer agency, shares the five AI tools he uses every day to save over 10 hours per week and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Pep walks through practical, real-world use cases for each tool—no fluff, just strategies you can actually implement. Plus, for those of you who love a visual learning experience, there’s a full video version of this episode on YouTube—complete with on-screen graphics and tool demos. Check...
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Episode 220: Marketing That Actually Works: Ezra & John’s Real-Time Q&A for Entrepreneurs
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 220: Inside the Marketing Lab – Ezra & John Answer Your Questions Live! Episode Description Ever wish you could ask Ezra Firestone or John Grimshaw your biggest business questions—live? Now’s your chance. In this special replay from The Smart Marketer Show, Ezra and John sit down with the Smart Marketer community for a real time Q&A. From homepage split tests to pricing strategy, influencer marketing to staying motivated—this episode covers the full journey of building and growing a business. “Doubt and worry is not energy that's useful.” – Ezra Firestone ...
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Episode 219 -The Email Audit Framework That Unlocks Revenue You’re Missing
The Smart Marketer Podcast
Episode 219 The Email Audit Framework That Unlocks Revenue You’re Missing Episode Description Email marketing still works—but only if you treat it like a growth engine, not an afterthought. In this episode, John Grimshaw breaks down the exact audit framework Smart Marketer uses inside its agency and mastermind to find revenue opportunities fast. After auditing multiple accounts, John highlights the patterns he sees again and again—and how you can fix them to make email a real profit center. “Go in and see what's being done day to day. Are you getting forward progress, forward...
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Episode 218: Sell Sooner, Not Sorer: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Smart Exit
The Smart Marketer Podcast
🎙 Episode 218: Sell Sooner, Not Sorer: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Smart Exit Episode Description What’s the best time to sell your business? Hint: It’s not when you’re burned out. In this exclusive segment from Smart Marketer’s Smart Business Exit course, Ezra Firestone is joined by Brad Wayland and Chris Moore of Quiet Light to break down why successful businesses are more attractive to buyers—and how to position yours for maximum value, even if you never plan to sell. “You want to run your business like you're always going to sell it, but you're never going to sell it....
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Episode 217: John’s DTC Brands to Watch: Whym and the 5-Step Formula for Better Offers
The Smart Marketer Podcast
🎙️ Episode 217: John’s DTC Brands to Watch – Whym and the 5-Step Formula for Better Offers Episode Description ✨ “Nobody cleans their room to make it not smell bad. They clean it so they can get that sense of a good smell.” – John Grimshaw This episode is a deep dive into how Whym, a mystery travel company, revitalized an "outdated" industry by wrapping a brilliant offer around a simple service. John Grimshaw unpacks how surprise, novelty, and personalization create viral, high-converting experiences—and he shares his 5-part offer formula that you can use in any business. If...
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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...
info_outlineThis 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 and scale with confidence. If you’re serious about understanding what’s actually driving your sales, Hyros is the tool that gives you the truth you need to win.
“If you don’t know what’s working, you can’t scale. The best brands are doubling down on the right hooks and smarter systems.” – Molly Pittman
You Will Learn:
• How to track your top-performing creative hooks and scale with confidence
• The #1 variable that drives success on Meta (after analyzing $1B+ in ad spend)
• Why engagement is more powerful than conversion when testing new messages
• A practical system for mapping hooks, angles, and campaign goals
• How to use your creative to replace targeting as AI takes over
• The “system vs. product” strategy that instantly boosts AOV and LTV
• Real examples of creative that doubled revenue and unlocked new markets
• Why Flewd’s bath brand is one of the smartest DTC models to study right now
Episode Sponsor – Hyros
Hyros is the AI-powered ad tracking platform trusted by top marketers and agencies. It shows you exactly which campaigns are driving results—so you can scale without wasting ad spend. If you’re tired of guessing and want brutal, data-driven truth in your marketing, Hyros delivers the clarity to grow.
👉 Learn more at Hyros.com
Links & Resources:
• Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
• Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
• Follow us on Instagram – @smartmarketer
• Smart Marketer Live Tickets – smartmarketerlive.com
• Flewd Stress Care – flewdstresscare.com
• Recovery Labs – recoverylabs.com
• Hyros – hyros.com
Timestamps:
00:36 – Pickles & Platforms: The Wild World of DTC
00:02:56 – Codifying Hooks For Scalable Growth
00:06:21 – One Message, Big Risk
00:14:48 – The Power of Engagement Over Attribution
00:31:38 – Don't Sell A Product, Sell A System
00:36:28 – Skittle Nails & The Power of Regrame
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