Brian Nolan

This will sound "duh" but a lot of new DTC brands don't realize it until it's too late. Invest in really good photography. The difference between a forgettable eCommerce site and one that gets the order (besides a good story, good marketing copy, and social proof) can come down to the quality of the creative assets. In a world of a million knock-offs and shoddy products, showing high-quality photographs of your actual product in the hands of real people in a genuine setting: big difference. We've never had a situation where we've had too many great photographs. The more the merrier. If you're a DTC Brand CEO looking to boost your revenue, then grab 'The 5 Ways High-Performing DTC Brands Get 10-20% eCommerce Conversion Rates'. This guide reveals the 5 tactics that the highest-performing DTC brands employ daily to achieve 10-20%+ conversion rates on their eCommerce websites. Note: If you don't see my comment below with the link, choose 'Recent Comments' in the dropdown below my post.

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DTC brands: If you’re optimizing your website for desktop over mobile, I'd highly suggest flipping priorities. At Anatta, we see at least 70-80% of site visits happen on mobile devices. If you’re not designing for mobile first, you’re designing for 20% vs. 80%, and that math just doesn’t math. This is also why it’s so important to get mobile usability right. We did a user study with our friends over at M.Gemi in which we showed them the behavior of their customers on mobile vs. those on desktop devices. On mobile, we could clearly see users’s eyes darting everywhere, telling us that they were distracted. When using their mobile devices, people are cooking, they’re taking care of their kids, they’re playing video games, they’re talking to their partner, they’re in the bathroom... all while shopping on your site. If you’re competing against that, you have to consider what type of experience you’ll need to design to - at the very least - capture their attention long enough for them to add-to-cart or bookmark your site for later. Getting all of those mobile attributes right - the sizing of buttons, the sizing of text, the placement of content and elements, and being mindful that there’s not too much on-page clutter - is so key… Because on mobile, you’re not just up against your competitors for someone’s attention. You’re competing with all of the many, many things going on in their life. #mobileux #ecommerce

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Turn one event into 2.8+ million impressions? New case study w/ Vin Matano 🐝 and Demandbase out now! - Follow our DICE framework to maximize your event ROI so you don’t have to roll the dice with in-person content. D-esign I-deate C-apture E-dit - DESIGN your event content plan before the event. Factor the RSVP list, influencer partners, and key marketing messaging before the start time. This will inform the topic selection and shot planning during the event. The more homework you do upfront, the easier it is to hit a home run at the event. IDEATE on content topics and thoroughly prepare. Be intentional and formulate a concrete shooting plan. This can include video topics, storyboarding, branding, and questions for the participants. You want to focus primarily on execution during the event, so it’s key to get the preparation in order. CAPTURE your event in a versatile manner. Now that you have your content plan, you can focus on 1) DOCUMENTING the event and 2) CREATING original content at the event. You want a fair balance of both so you can produce versatile videos (short form, interviews, hype video, recap, long form) with original b-roll. EDIT your raw assets into usable content. Think carefully about how you want to distribute the content. Fast-paced short form is great for organic social while more cinematic shots can serve as promotional reel for future events and sponsor activation. DO NOT post anything raw. Create with audience enjoyment top of mind. - Watch the full video for a detailed breakdown. Hosting an event and interested in turning it into a content factory? Hit up EventShark 🦈

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The physical location "halo effect" for DTC brands is too simplistic. In reality it looks more like a J-Curve. First 6-8 months you cannibalize your ecommerce sales. And then... "Over a two year period they go back to shopping online in apparel because they have been fitted, they see a broader assortment, they are more willing to buy expensive product. So they become much better ecomm customers." Just one of many gems from my discussion with Andrew Neelon.

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You don’t want to miss this 🔥. 29 signed up so far! RSVP and use coupon “BRANDALLY”at checkout for a free ticket: https://lu.ma/ql5xve61 #seattle #seattlecontentcreator #seattlebloggers #microinfluencer #fyp #meetup #seattlelife #whattodoinseattle #spaceneedle #contentcreator #influencers #marketing #seattleevents

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Check out our recent case study for a Shopify website We teamed up with Pinkergreen (who assisted w/ UX & design) Outcomes from work? Conversion rate up ⬆️ 60% Avg order value ⬆️ 7% Upsell value (within 45 days) $8100 SEO up ⬆️ Bounce rate ⬇️ Check out the full case study below with more info on process & outcomes

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In today’s Marketecture newsletter, in the context of the recent attention directed at the business model of Honey, the POS coupon surfacing service, Ari Paparo asks whether CMOs should be intimately familiar with the machinations of their marketing channels. My response is that they absolutely should — that understanding where budget is deployed and how those recipient channels deliver value is the essence of the CMO role. I don’t think there’s any level of altitude, or any scale of operational complexity, that absolves a CMO of that obligation. But this doesn’t necessitate that a CMO fundamentally understand the business model of Honey (or any other affiliate-like channel) specifically. Rather, it entails instilling a culture of disciplined analytical rigor within the organization. A CMO can be completely unaware of Honey’s commercial model while still demanding that the marketing team test it (and every other channel) for incremental impact.

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🏆Duda named #1 website builder by CNN.🏆 Cool to see a great product stand out in a competitive category even when it's not "featured" or "promoted" (i.e. paid exposure). Kudos! 👉 Or as the article puts it: "If you’re a design agency or a business juggling multiple website builds, Duda might make your life a lot easier...If deep dives into data analytics or highly personalized user experiences are a priority, Duda has the tools to make it happen." #duda #websitebuilder #website #agency #marketingagency #SMBtools https://lnkd.in/dpwwaPV9

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Beware❗ — do NOT make this all too common goal-setting mistake... Brand founders of scaling DTC brands often feel tempted to pivot their goals when they don't seem to be working out. But here's the kicker: they're going about it all wrong. Let me clarify: well-crafted, clearly defined goals are sacred and should not be changed frequently. But do you know what SHOULD be changed frequently? The strategies you implement to achieve those goals! If you find yourself struggling to gain traction on some of your growing brand's goals, don't make any changes to them right away... Instead, get your team together for a brainstorming session on new and creative strategies you can implement to move your goals closer to the finish line. -- Did you find this post helpful? If so, consider resharing it and giving me Jon Blair a follow. #dtcbrands #scaleyourbusiness #founders

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The FTC just dropped major news that every business owner needs to know: New rules banning fake reviews are now in effect. As someone who's worked with countless local businesses, here's why this matters to you: What's Changing? 🤔 • No more purchasing reviews (yes, that includes "incentivized" ones) • Can't suppress negative reviews through legal threats • AI-generated testimonials are banned • No artificial inflation of social signals • No misrepresenting review ownership Local Business Impact: Why You Should Care 🏪 1. Google Business Profile Reviews: • Focus on organic review generation • Ensure compliance across all platforms • Document your review collection processes 2. Local SEO Implications: • Authentic reviews now more valuable than ever • Competitive advantage for honest businesses • Enhanced trust signals for local search Smart Strategies Moving Forward: 📈 ✅ Create a systematic approach to requesting reviews ✅ Respond professionally to ALL reviews (positive and negative) ✅ Train staff on compliant review practices ✅ Focus on exceptional customer service to earn genuine feedback ✅ Document your review generation process Warning Signs to Watch For: ⚠️ • Competitors with sudden review spikes • Identical review language across platforms • Reviews from outside your service area • Suspicious review patterns 🤔 Question for local business owners: How do you currently encourage customers to leave authentic reviews?

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A Few Weeks Ago, I Shared Initial Thoughts on the FTC's Review Policy... Many of you asked for more detailed guidance, so I dug deeper into the implications for local businesses in my latest Search Engine Land contribution. Here's what we've learned since the policy took effect: The Stakes Are Real: • $50,120 penalty per violation • Fashion Nova fined $4.2M for filtering reviews • Roomster penalized for thousands of fake reviews But here's the opportunity many are missing: This isn't just about compliance - it's about building sustainable trust signals for local search. 🎯 Key Implementation Timeline: Days 1-15: Audit current practices Days 16-30: Develop new procedures Days 31-45: Staff training Days 46-60: Monitor and adjust 💡 What's Working Now: 1. Review Collection: "Thank you for choosing our service. We value honest feedback from our customers. If you'd like to share your experience, you can leave a review on our Google Business Profile." 2. Response Management: • Personalize each response • Address specific points mentioned • Maintain a professional tone • Document everything 3. Future-Proofing: • Focus on genuine engagement • Build systematic review processes • Train staff on compliant practices • Monitor for suspicious patterns Remember: The local map pack is becoming more competitive. Volume alone won't cut it anymore - authenticity is king. Check out my comprehensive guide on Search Engine Land: https://lnkd.in/eiBGgiYq

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Cotopaxi has so much potential but needs to evolve to be different from everyone else (Patagonia), and their stores need more experience. Companies get stuck with the "textbook mission" and must innovate but remain authentic. Their sale during BF told me there is something amiss. https://lnkd.in/gAdNX-_q

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Are you an 8-figure DTC brand founder who still has a tax accountant running the company books? If so, why are the books closed so slowly and why does it feel like the numbers are always off? There are two main reasons from my perspective. 1. They don't understand eCommerce. 2. They are tax accounting experts, not eCommerce consumer brand financial accounting experts So why do these two factors keep producing untimely, seemingly inaccurate books each month? 1. They don't understand eCommerce - By virtue of not being an eComm accounting expert, they're inefficient at eComm-specific month-end close activities like reconciling Shopify and Amazon Seller Central accounts. This inefficiency can make it hard to close the books in a timely manner. Additionally, not understanding how to record and reconcile eComm-specific transactions, they often make mistakes and your financials turn out inaccurate. 2. They are tax accountants - Every year CPAs get busy with taxes around filing deadlines. During these period closing your books gets pushed to the back burner, meaning you have to wait weeks to understand your brand's performance, and essentially rendering your financials useless. Additionally, as tax accounting experts, your CPA will probably prepare your books in accordance with tax accounting best practices, not financial accounting best practices for an Ecom consumer goods brand. This means issues with COGS, margin, and inventory accounting accuracy. The result? You're making management decisions off financials optimized for tax treatment, not management analysis. The solution? Consider an eCommerce focused outsourced finance and bookkeeping firm like Free to Grow CFO. We only work with growing eCommerce brands, so we are experts at preparing accurate financials that are useful for management decision-making. Wait - it gets even better? We close all our clients' books by the 15th of the month, EVERY MONTH, no matter what tax filing deadlines are happening at the same time.

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DTC brand founders, I've got a game-changing leadership secret for you 🤫... Saying "I don't know" can actually make you a better leader. It shows humility, builds trust, and encourages open communication within our teams. Admitting when you don't know something can also lead to better decision-making. How? Because it prompts us to seek counsel and gather more information. Next time you're unsure, try saying "I don't know." You might be surprised by the positive impact it has on your leadership and your team. -- Did you find this post helpful? If so, consider resharing it and giving me Jon Blair a follow. #dtcbrands #founders #scaleyourbusiness

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💡 What’s the best tech stack for my consumer brand? I get this question a lot, especially as we head into BFCM prep and code freezes. 📅 Whether you’re getting organized or just curious about the tech behind your favorite DTC brands, we’ve got you covered. At HSR, we’ve done the heavy lifting and identified the must-have components for an early-stage tech stack that every founder should know before the most critical quarter of the year. 📈 Ready to power up your business for Q4 and unlock the secret tools? 🚀 👇 Dive in here: https://lnkd.in/ga6BQQXS #DTC #TechStack #BFCM #BusinessGrowth #Scalability #Entrepreneurship #ConsumerBrand

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There's a new growth strategy on the block. And I'm dubbing it "The U-Haul Playbook." It's when a founder moves to where their target market lives. Not everyone can do this. Few should. But the real takeaway is in understanding why this matters. Customer discovery is the most important activity for a startup founder who is in pre-market phase, MVP phase, or seed stage. Spoiler alert: the importance never ends, but the tactics can change as you grow. I wrote a bit about this trend and how to think about customer discovery in my latest beehiiv for Five Four!

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When I realized I was looking at funnel optimization the wrong way... https://lnkd.in/gY7zCkBn Mikael Dia, Founder of Funnelytics showed me how and I've since used this approach to increase conversions on Order Form (6 - 9%) and on a Landing Page (from 8% to 26%).

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New Episode! The Non-Negotiable for Scaling to Multi-Millions in Revenue on Building Your Empire Podcast with SophieZo on The Word of Mom Radio Network. In this power-packed episode of Building Your Empire with SophieZo, digital marketing expert Sophie Zollmann reveals why social media marketing is essential for businesses aiming to reach and surpass the $2 million revenue mark. Key topics covered: 1. The Power of Strategic Reach 2. Cost-Effective Brand Building 3. Real-Time Optimization Perfect for business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketing professionals looking to leverage social media for significant business growth. Learn why successful businesses aren't asking if they should be on social media, but how to better leverage these platforms to accelerate their growth. Join us for Building Your Empire with SophieZo anytime and connect with Sophie at SophieZo.com, schedule a free digital success session, follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Please support UnsilencedVoices.org a global 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers survivors. We thank Smith Sisters and the Sunday Drivers for our theme song, "She is You". WordofMomRadio.com - sharing the wisdom of women, in business and in life. #BusinessGrowth #SocialMediaMarketing #DigitalStrategy #MarketingROI #BusinessScaling #LeadGeneration #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #BusinessSuccess #DigitalMarketing

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