🔥 From Cigars to Podcasts…

This newsletter is sponsored by:

What you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

• 😱 From Cigars to Microphones: The Birth of My First Podcast [True Story]

• 🔥 The Hidden Art of Day Parting [How To]

• 🗞️ Latest Amazon News and Updates

• ✅ My Favorite AI Tools and Software 2024

• 🚀 5 Tips to Build Customer Loyalty

😱 FROM CIGARS TO MICROPHONES: THE BIRTH OF MY FIRST PODCAST [True Story] 

Here’s a story of my very first podcast, I Know This Guy.

You could say it was a COVID project.

We were all back at the house due to the lockdowns — Quintyn (my youngest son) had come back from school, Kelsey (the middle child) returned from Korea from teaching English for 2 years, and Hayden (the oldest) wasn’t touring anymore with his music.

Everyone was here, and one evening we were sitting outside, having cigars.

During the conversation, I got a phone call.

While talking, I mentioned, “I know a guy.”

About 15 minutes later, I got another call, and again, I said, “Oh I know just the guy for you.”

Then there was a third call, all within 45 minutes, and it was the same thing: “If you need an introduction, I know a guy.”

That’s when one of Hayden said, “Hey, you should do a podcast!”

My first reaction was, “Are you kidding? There’s no way I’m doing a podcast.”

But somehow, the idea stuck.

So, during COVID, we launched I Know This Guy.

It was very well-produced, and it really pushed me out of my comfort zone.

We brought on some incredible guests, and came up with a way to make the show more viral…

At the end of every episode, we’d ask the guest one question—“Do you know a guy?”

That one question opened up so many doors and led to all kinds of fascinating conversations.

Eventually, though, things became too much when Lunch with Norm came into the picture.

I had to choose, and unfortunately, I Know This Guy was put to rest.

But it’s been resurrected in a new form through the collaboration with Kevin King under the Marketing Misfits podcast.

I’ll be honest—it was a real struggle for me to say yes to podcasting in the first place.

As you all know, I work best behind the camera, not in front of it.

But with your support, we made it happen.

We bought some wrong equipment, had to redecorate the podcast booth, and made plenty of mistakes along the way, but we figured it out.

Even now, we’re constantly trying to improve and evolve.

I’ll never forget the very first episode of Lunch with Norm.

It was supposed to go live at noon, but something went wrong, and I couldn’t get online.

I was so stressed.

I was practically in the fetal position.

And here is that episode → here

But in the end, it all worked out, and that was the real start of my podcasting journey.

So, that’s the story of I Know This Guy—how it began, how it ended, and how it lives on in a new way.

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

— Norm

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THE HIDDEN ART OF DAY PARTING

This breakdown is provided by Atom 11

Day parting Strategy using Hourly SP Reports

Hourly Sponsored Product Report tells you how sponsored ads are performing Hour by Hour. You can find which hours work best for you in terms of Conversions, which hours have high CPC’s etc.. 

Analyze Hourly Sponsored Product Hourly Report data in the following way: 

1. Download last 30 days report from Sponsored Reports section

2. Create Pivot on Time and analyse Spends, Conversion and CPC

   

3. Go to Conditional Formatting and use “Color Scales” to highlight Spends, Conversion and CPC Low to High. 

How to use conditional formatting:

1. Sales - Highest color scale will be green, lowest will be red

2. CPC - Highest color scale will be red, lowest will be green

3. Conversion - Highest color scale will be green, lowest will be red

   

4. Use the following framework to know when to increase bids/ budgets and when to reduce them.

Day parting Framework:

Is the Hourly Sponsored Product Report confusing you?

Use our Chat GPT Prompt to analyse Hourly SP report: Click here

If you want to know more about us, then hit Neha up at [email protected] 

🗞️ AMAZON NEWS & UPDATES 🗞️

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE BEARD GUY?

Can you find Norm in the picture below? Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to see the answer!

My Favorite AI Tools and Software 2024

1. SOPbox: Streamlines the process of creating and managing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enhancing organizational efficiency

2. EcomContent: Specializes in creating AI-driven e-commerce content, including product descriptions and SEO-optimized texts

3. IMG Creator: A tool for generating high-quality images, useful for creating engaging visual content for online stores

4. OpusClip and Pictory (also Runway, Synthesia, Savvy): These platforms offer solutions for creating engaging video content, ranging from product demonstrations to marketing videos

5. Adobe Podcast: Enhances audio quality for podcasts and videos, improving the listening experience for audiences

6. Frequently.ai: AI-powered tools that help navigate and understand the Terms of Service of various platforms, reducing legal risks

7. Perci: Comprehensive toolsets designed to assist Amazon sellers with research, listing optimization, and competitive analysis

8. Canva: A graphic design platform that now includes AI-driven features for creating custom content quickly and efficiently

9. Grammarly: A writing assistant that offers suggestions to improve grammar, clarity, and tone, now enhanced with AI for more intuitive suggestions

10. Briskine: An email template and automation tool that speeds up email communication by providing customizable templates for various purposes

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• Returns managed by Walmart 

MCS helps your business scale by: 

• Optimizing inventory consolidation and enabling growth across Walmart.com and other sales channels simultaneously.

• Allowing you to leverage the world’s largest supply chain and Walmart Fulfillment Service’s full suite of benefits to drive efficiencies.

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WHAT YOU MISSED LAST WEEK!

The Future of Marketing & Copywriting Tips | Alex Cattoni

Here’s 7 Takeaways From This Episode:

1. Use Authentic Social Proof:

   • Collect reviews and user-generated content (UGC) from real customers. Use tools like VideoAsk to request video testimonials, ensuring authenticity and engagement.

2. Adapt to Multi-Touchpoint Sales Journeys:

   • Invest in content marketing and organic visibility across platforms. Include clear CTAs and maintain consistency in messaging to guide customers across multiple touch points.

3. Refine AI-Generated Content:

   • When using AI, provide detailed prompts about your brand voice and audience to ensure better alignment. Always proofread and edit for authenticity and factual accuracy.

4. Leverage Email Marketing:

   • Build an email list and send personalized, value-driven content. Focus on storytelling and customer education rather than pure promotion to increase engagement and conversions.

5. Optimize for Social Media Search:

   • Use platform-specific hashtags and keywords to increase discoverability. Post regularly and tailor content to the platform’s audience preferences, focusing on visual engagement.

6. Provide Low-Cost Entry Points:

   • Introduce affordable products or services to allow new customers to experience your brand. Follow up with value-packed offerings to guide them into higher-priced tiers.

7. Track and Adapt to Longer Sales Cycles:

   • Use analytics to understand customer behavior and identify drop-off points in the sales journey. Adjust your strategy to keep leads engaged over extended periods.

     Watch the full episode here

THIS WEEK’S EPISODE!

You can watch all episodes on YouTube or on my Facebook page at 12 pm ET on Wednesday!

Wednesday - Omnichannel Marketing Strategies for Amazon Sellers - Andrew Maff

As a marketing expert with over 15 years of experience, Andrew has worked in just about every role within the marketing world. Working for both agencies and in-house brands, he experienced firsthand the successes and opportunities of working toward results.

Frustrated with trying to get separate agencies, departments, and people to try to work together - as he likes to phrase it, “herding cats” - Andrew founded BlueTuskr.

Watch LIVE at 12 pm ET on Wednesday!👉 Sign up here

5 TIPS TO BUILD CUSTOMER LOYALTY!

Here are 5 TIPS from this episode!

1. Delight Customers, Don’t Just Fix Issues: Exceptional customer service goes beyond problem resolution. Adding small surprises like an extra item or personalized notes can turn customers into loyal fans.

2. Respond Quickly and Effectively: Addressing customer issues promptly (ideally within the hour) can diffuse negative experiences and enhance long-term goodwill.

3. Simplify Returns and Replacements: Streamline processes for returns and replacements, even if it means incurring minor costs. Quick and hassle-free resolutions boost customer trust and loyalty.

4. Build Repeat Business Through Relationships: Focus on retaining customers with excellent service, as repeat purchases and referrals often outweigh the value of one-time transactions.

5. Know When to Fire a Customer: If a customer’s demands or behavior negatively impact your business or team, parting ways professionally ensures smoother operations and peace of mind.

🚨 Watch the full episode here

MARK DOWN THESE EVENTS! 

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Mar 24 - Las Vegas - $1495

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Mar 25 - 27 - Las Vegas - Starting $399

→ FULL CALENDAR ←

And that’s it, Beardos!

P.S. Make sure you don’t miss any updates by joining our community here.

See you next Monday!

- Norm

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