The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episódios

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  Episode 287: More Meaningful Ads at Scale: Building Thumbstop with AI 05.08.2026 42min

  Episode Description AI can help marketers create more ads faster, but volume means nothing if the creative lacks strategy. In this episode, Smart Marketer CEO Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer Agency CEO Pep Hufen for a behind-the-scenes look at Thumbstop, the AI creative tool built to help direct-response marketers produce meaningful image and video ads without prompting every frame from scratch. Pep shares where the idea came from, what the team learned while building the first version, and how Thumbstop uses brand information, product data, customer reviews, proven ad concepts, and customer avatars to create strategic creative variation. You'll also hear why customer avatars matter more than ever in Meta's Andromeda era, the four variables marketers can use to build a diverse creative portfolio, and how Smart Marketer is balancing AI-generated assets with human creativity as it launches its new pet wellness brand, Longer Together. "If you use AI the right way, you can have meaningful shots at goal, at volume." – Pep Hufen If your team needs more creative without sacrificing direct-response strategy, this episode will show you how AI can help you move faster, test smarter, and give Meta better inputs. You Will Learn: • Why Smart Marketer built an AI creative platform specifically for direct-response advertising. • How Thumbstop studies a brand's website, products, reviews, visuals, and customer avatars. • Why customer avatars became one of the platform's most important features. • How different avatars can use the same product for completely different outcomes. • The four creative variables that help Meta match ads with the right users. • Why meaningful variation involves formats, concepts, environments, people, and emotions, not minor color changes. • How marketers can generate hundreds of strategic ad variations without replacing their creative teams. • Why AI should free creative professionals to focus on strategy instead of repetitive prompting. • How Smart Marketer is using Thumbstop alongside native creative to launch Longer Together. Links & Resources: Thumbstop: usethumbstop.ai Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com Omnisend Sponsor Offer: omnisend.com/smart TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 – Introduction: Building Better Direct-Response Creative With AI 00:01:20 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:01:50 – Molly Welcomes Pep Hufen Back to the Podcast 00:02:09 – Inside Smart Marketer's New Software Project, Thumbstop 00:04:16 – Where the Idea for Thumbstop Came From 00:05:13 – Why Existing AI Tools Were Not Built for Direct Response 00:06:26 – Lessons From an Earlier Software Project 00:07:11 – How Pep Found the Right AI Development Partner 00:09:05 – From Initial Idea to a Working Software Product 00:10:01 – Testing the MVP Inside Smart Marketer and the Agency 00:10:51 – Building Creative Around Customer Transformation 00:11:42 – Early Beta Results From Smart Marketer Members 00:12:55 – How Different Businesses Are Using Thumbstop 00:14:35 – How Thumbstop Learns Your Brand, Products, and Visual Identity 00:15:30 – Automatically Building Customer Avatars From Reviews 00:16:26 – The Moccasins Canada Customer Avatar Case Study 00:17:54 – Using AI Creative for Authors, Artists, and Service Businesses 00:19:20 – Why Customer Avatars Became a Core Part of Thumbstop 00:20:25 – How Different Avatars Use the Same Product Differently 00:21:28 – Why Customer Avatars Help Businesses Scale 00:22:25 – The Four Variables in a Diverse Creative Portfolio 00:23:27 – How Winning Agency Concepts Become Thumbstop Features 00:24:03 – Why Changing Colors Is Not Meaningful Creative Variation 00:24:45 – Using AI Without Creating "AI Slop" 00:25:36 – How Environments Can Change the Context of an Avatar 00:27:15 – Using Formats, Concepts, People, Environments, and Emotions 00:28:31 – Comparing AI Production With Traditional Creative Production 00:29:40 – Creating Hundreds of Meaningful Ads in Under an Hour 00:30:49 – Why Thumbstop Should Not Replace Your Creative Team 00:31:03 – Training Smart Marketer's Creative Team to Use AI 00:32:33 – Using AI to Scale Concepts That Already Work 00:33:18 – Turning Winning Images Into Videos and New Variations 00:33:50 – Teaching AI to Understand Product Dimensions 00:34:27 – How Thumbstop Is Supporting the Longer Together Launch 00:35:25 – Building Customer Avatars for Daily Dental Defense 00:36:48 – Balancing Native Creative With AI-Generated Ads 00:38:31 – How to Try Thumbstop and Save 50% 00:38:45 – Thumbstop Pricing and the Cost of AI Generations 00:39:53 – How AI Changes the Economics of Creative Testing 00:40:59 – Creating More Meaningful Shots at Goal 00:41:28 – What's Next for Thumbstop and Longer Together 00:42:22 – Closing CTA: Subscribe and Support the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue sharing practical marketing strategies, behind-the-scenes business lessons, and real-world insights from the tools and brands we are building. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click HereShare this episode with a creative strategist, media buyer, or business owner exploring AI-powered advertising. Post it on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere. Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀  
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  Episode 286: How to Build a Scalable UGC System: Creative Operations with Melvin Cotton III 29.07.2026 48min

  Episode Description Finding great creators is only half the battle. The real advantage comes from building a creative system that consistently turns creator content into high-performing ads. In this episode, Smart Marketer CEO Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer's Creative Operations Manager, Melvin Cotton III, to unpack the behind-the-scenes processes that power hundreds of creative assets every week. From sourcing UGC creators and structuring contracts to organizing raw footage and creating feedback loops, Melvin shares the operational systems that allow creative teams to scale without sacrificing quality. You'll also hear why Smart Marketer thinks about creator rosters like investment portfolios, how they evaluate different creator tiers, and why performance feedback, not opinions, should drive every creative decision. "The biggest piece [is your] performance feedback, taking all the information that we learn from the content that we've created and the data that we're gathering, and then using that to inform our next decision." – Melvin Cotton III If you're producing UGC, managing creative, or trying to build a repeatable paid ads system, this episode offers a practical framework you can put to work immediately. You Will Learn: • Why creative operations are the foundation of scalable paid advertising. • How to build and manage a high-performing roster of UGC creators. • Where Smart Marketer sources creators and why nano creators often outperform larger influencers. • What every creator outreach email and contract should include. • Why owning raw creative assets creates more long-term value. • How to organize creative production with a "creative menu" framework. • Why creator relationships improve when expectations and processes are clearly defined. • How performance feedback should influence every future creative decision. • Why operational systems—not just creative ideas—help winning ad teams scale. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Podcast: https://smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Omnisend Sponsor Offer: https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend TIME STAMPS: 00:00:22 – Introduction: Why Creative Operations Matter 00:01:24 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:01:57 – Molly Welcomes Melvin Cotton III 00:02:21 – "Smile" and "Think Big": The Mindset Behind Melvin's Leadership 00:06:10 – What a Creative Operations Manager Actually Does 00:08:57 – From Alabama to Smart Marketer: Melvin's Journey 00:11:37 – The House of Mels, Filmmaking & Creating Meaningful Content 00:17:23 – Why UGC Is Still Critical for Paid Advertising 00:19:35 – Building a Scalable Creative Operations System 00:20:43 – The Performance Feedback Loop That Drives Better Creative 00:21:45 – The "Creative Menu" Framework 00:24:44 – Where to Find Great UGC Creators 00:26:47 – Direct Outreach vs. Creator Platforms 00:29:40 – How to Reach Out to Creators Professionally 00:31:16 – Pricing UGC Creators & Structuring Offers 00:33:07 – Why Every Creator Needs a Contract 00:36:11 – Why Nano Creators Often Deliver the Best Results 00:39:32 – Licensing Rights, Raw Assets & Long-Term Creative Value 00:42:26 – Why Great Systems Lead to Better Creator Relationships 00:43:05 – Why Smart Marketer Uses Four-Year Licensing Agreements 00:45:56 – Final Takeaways & What's Next for Creative Operations 00:47:46 – Closing CTA: Subscribe, Review & Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue sharing real-world marketing systems, behind-the-scenes agency insights, and practical strategies you can apply to grow your business. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode with a marketer, creative strategist, or ecommerce founder building a UGC program. Post it on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere. Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀  
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  Episode 285: How to Work With Meta's AI: Paid Ads Strategies That Are Working Now 22.07.2026 55min

  Episode Description The Meta ads landscape has changed, and trying to control every variable may now be doing more harm than good. In this episode, Smart Marketer CEO Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer Agency Senior Paid Performance Specialist Maryanne White, who manages some of the agency's largest Meta ad accounts. Maryanne shares what she's seeing inside those accounts, why performance has become more volatile, and how media buyers can work with Meta's increasingly AI-driven system instead of fighting it. You'll hear why creative and offer quality matter more than rigid campaign structures, how evergreen giveaway funnels can generate both leads and purchases, why catalog ads continue to perform, and what brands should be doing now to prepare for Q4. "Our job right now is really not to control the machine, but to work with it and to understand it and to give it what it needs." - Maryanne White If Meta performance has felt unpredictable, this conversation will help you stop chasing outdated tactics, give the algorithm better inputs, and build a paid traffic strategy designed for the way the platform works today. You Will Learn: • How to work with Meta's AI-driven system instead of trying to control every variable. • Why creative quality and strong offers now matter more than rigid campaign structures or targeting tactics. • How evergreen giveaway funnels can drive both qualified leads and immediate purchases when optimized correctly. • How AI can support research and strategy, while human intuition remains critical for performance. • What brands should focus on now to prepare their creative, offers, and campaigns for Q4. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com Mentor Table: smartmarketer.com/mentor-table Omnisend Sponsor Offer: smartmarketer.com/omnisend TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 - Introduction: What's Changing in Meta Ads 00:01:17 - Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:01:38 - Molly Welcomes Maryanne White 00:02:58 - From Journalism and Hospitality to Digital Marketing 00:06:55 - How Maryanne Discovered Ecommerce and Facebook Ads 00:07:47 - Why Meta Performance Feels More Volatile in 2026 00:09:27 - Stop Trying to Control the Machine 00:13:06 - Where Meta's Learning Really Happens 00:16:05 - What Successful Ad Accounts Have in Common 00:17:21 - The Offer Styles Working Right Now 00:17:40 - How to Build an Evergreen Giveaway Funnel 00:19:50 - The Thank-You-Page Offer That Drives Purchases 00:20:56 - Why Giveaway Campaigns Also Work for Retargeting 00:22:55 - A Day in the Life of a Senior Paid Performance Specialist 00:25:49 - Using AI for Account Research and Creative Strategy 00:28:28 - Why Strong Operational Support Improves Paid Performance 00:32:32 - Letting Go of Outdated Meta Ads Tactics 00:34:43 - Why Trust Matters Between Brands and Agencies 00:35:27 - The Risk of Using Generic AI Advice 00:38:15 - The Global Opportunity of Remote Digital Marketing 00:41:34 - How Gardening Helps Maryanne Stay Grounded 00:43:46 - Preparing Your Meta Ads Strategy for Q4 00:44:32 - Why You Need 10 to 20 Distinct Creatives for a Promotion 00:46:38 - Less Control Can Lead to Better Results 00:47:46 - Two Ways to Run Catalog Ads 00:49:18 - Using AI Enhancements With Dynamic Product Ads 00:49:47 - How Maryanne Approaches a New Ecommerce Ad Account 00:52:24 - Build Supporting Creative Instead of Repeating One Winner 00:53:31 - Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts 00:54:44 - Closing CTA: Subscribe and Support the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue sharing practical paid traffic strategies, honest conversations, and real lessons from the marketers managing ecommerce growth every day. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click HereShare this episode with a media buyer or ecommerce owner navigating Meta's latest changes Post it on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀
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  Episode 284: Website Accessibility Lawsuits: What Every Ecommerce Store Owner Needs to Know 15.07.2026 44min

  Episode Description Could your ecommerce store face a website accessibility lawsuit without you realizing there's a problem? In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Carl and Brooke Wood of Antler Rings to discuss the web accessibility lawsuit their business is currently navigating. They share how the situation began with a settlement demand, what happened when they were formally served, and the website issues they discovered while working with legal counsel. From image-specific descriptions and accessible popups to third-party apps, compliance scans, and WCAG guidelines, this conversation highlights an often-overlooked area of ecommerce risk. More importantly, it gives store owners practical steps they can take now to make their websites easier for everyone to use. "Something that business owners could do is [...] a quick compliance scan that would scan and at least highlight some information that they might need to change." – Brooke Wood This episode shares the guests' experiences and general educational information. It is not legal advice. You Will Learn: • How Antler Rings went from receiving a settlement demand to being formally served with a lawsuit. • Why website accessibility needs to be part of every ecommerce owner's compliance checklist. • How image-specific descriptions help screen-reader users understand product photography. • What to review when evaluating popups, navigation, scrolling, and close buttons. • Why an accessibility statement and dedicated support contact can improve the customer experience. • How third-party Shopify apps can introduce accessibility issues you may not immediately notice. • Why a quick website compliance scan can help identify areas that need attention. • What WCAG 2.2 is and why store owners should become familiar with current accessibility guidelines. • Why receiving a legal notice requires prompt attention and qualified legal counsel. • How ecommerce owners can share information and help raise awareness around website accessibility. Links & Resources: Antler Rings: antlerrings.com Contact Brooke Wood: brooke@antlerrings.com Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com Omnisend Sponsor Offer: smartmarketer.com/omnisend WCAG 2.2 Guidelines from the W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines U.S. Department of Justice: Guidance on Web Accessibility and the ADA TIME STAMPS: 00:00:14 – Introduction: A Website Accessibility Warning for Ecommerce Owners 00:01:12 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:01:32 – Molly Welcomes Carl and Brooke from Antler Rings 00:04:02 – The Settlement Letter That Started Everything 00:05:33 – What Happened When Antler Rings Was Formally Served 00:07:07 – The Website Issues Identified in the Lawsuit 00:09:16 – Why Ecommerce Stores Are Being Targeted 00:11:24 – Accessibility Is Important—But the Process Matters 00:13:13 – The Immediate Changes Antler Rings Made 00:15:02 – Making Popups Easier to Close and Navigate 00:16:29 – Why Every Product Image Needs a Specific Description 00:19:18 – Legal Strategy and the Risk of Being Sued Again 00:21:58 – The Broader Pattern Behind Accessibility Lawsuits 00:24:29 – The Challenge of Navigating Ecommerce Compliance 00:25:34 – Accessibility Statements, Images, Popups, and Customer Support 00:26:44 – Who Is Responsible for Third-Party App Accessibility? 00:28:45 – Why Carl and Brooke Believe the Claim Was Targeted 00:30:31 – The Settlement Demands That Never Become Public 00:33:08 – A Possible Solution: Give Businesses Time to Correct Issues 00:35:26 – Practical Accessibility Action Items for Store Owners 00:36:15 – Understanding WCAG 2.2 00:37:50 – Using a Quick Compliance Scan to Find Potential Problems 00:38:18 – What Antler Rings Plans to Do Next 00:41:31 – How Other Business Owners Can Connect with Carl and Brooke 00:43:25 – Why Ecommerce Owners Need to Pay Attention Now 00:44:18 – Closing CTA: Subscribe and Support the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue sharing honest business conversations, actionable marketing strategies, and important lessons from the entrepreneurs navigating these challenges in real time. If you found this episode valuable: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click HereShare this episode with an ecommerce business owner who needs to hear it Post it on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀
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  Episode 283: Building a Local Brand, Marriage, and Mission with Molly Pittman & Casey Maupin 08.07.2026 53min

  What happens when two childhood friends reconnect, build a life together, and end up creating businesses rooted in community, purpose, food, and rescue dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Molly sits down with her husband, Casey, to talk about their reconnection story, building Morley's Backyard in Danville, Kentucky, navigating entrepreneurship as a couple, honoring Molly's dad, and growing Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue. "We're not working for tomorrow. We're working for what three years down the road looks like." – Casey Moppin  You Will Learn • How Molly and Casey reconnected after growing up together in Kentucky. • Why community can become one of the strongest business advantages. • What made Morley's Backyard a standout local opportunity. • How Casey approaches farm-to-table, Kentucky Proud food, and local partnerships. • Why boundaries matter when both partners are entrepreneurs. • How hands-on work, service, and rescue dogs bring deeper fulfillment. • The role Smart Marketer, Morley's, and Fields of Freedom play in one shared ecosystem. Links & Resources • Smart Marketer  • Molly Pittman • Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue  • Morley's Backyard • Smart Marketer Live 2026 Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Casey Moppin: Molly's husband and today's special guest 01:39 – Casey's perspective on reconnecting with Molly 03:32 – Molly's move back to Kentucky and how everything changed 06:56 – Opposites attract: how Molly and Casey balance each other 08:33 – Remembering Molly's dad and honoring him at Morley's 11:30 – Why Danville, Kentucky feels like home again 14:02 – The businesses, rescue, and life Molly and Casey manage together 16:47 – How Morley's Backyard started as a tire center and food truck idea 20:40 – The business "green flags" Molly saw in Morley's 23:57 – From food truck to full kitchen and business partnership 26:04 – Expanding Morley's hours, brunch, and food truck partnerships 29:24 – Why Kentucky Proud and local sourcing matter 31:38 – Building a business through real community relationships 33:28 – Advice for entrepreneurial couples 37:23 – Thinking long-term while still living in the grind 39:45 – Why hands-on work creates fulfillment 41:49 – Creating boundaries with phones, apps, and work stress 43:24 – Starting Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue together 47:01 – How Smart Marketer, Morley's, and the rescue support each other 48:01 – Life with six dogs 49:12 – Smart Marketer Live and bringing online community into real life 51:22 – Closing thoughts from Molly and Casey
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  Episode 282: Meta Ads Performance & Profitability: What's Really Happening in 2026 01.07.2026 45min

  Episode Description Meta ads are still one of the most powerful growth channels for ecommerce brands, but 2026 has been anything but predictable. In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer Agency CEO Pep Hufen to unpack what they're seeing across client accounts right now, why Q1 felt strong for many brands, why Q2 has been more volatile, and what business owners should focus on when performance starts to feel inconsistent. Molly and Pep talk through platform volatility, declining conversion rates, changes in Meta's algorithm, the rise of AI-generated creative and landing pages, and why profitability, not ego-driven top-line growth, needs to guide your decisions during uncertain seasons. "An amazing product positioned well will beat any platform volatility." - Pep Hufen If Meta has felt unpredictable lately, this episode will help you zoom out, protect profitability, and focus on the fundamentals that actually move a business forward. You Will Learn: • What Smart Marketer is seeing across Meta ad accounts in 2026. • Why Q1 was strong for many brands, while Q2 has felt more challenging. • How conversion rates and cost per click have shifted across the industry. • Why Audience Network traffic may be hurting performance in some accounts. • How Meta's newer, more consolidated approach is affecting traffic quality. • Why profitability matters more than chasing last year's revenue numbers. • What winning brands are doing differently during platform volatility. • Why product development, positioning, and customer understanding still beat platform hacks. • How organic content and brand-building can improve paid media performance. • Why businesses need to think about becoming AI-native, not just AI-enabled. • How mindset affects your ability to navigate change, volatility, and growth. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com OmniSend Sponsor Offer: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Molly Pittman: mollypittman.com Instagram: @smartmarketer Instagram: @mollypittmandigital Contact Pep: pep@smartmarketer.com TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 – Welcome: What's Happening with Meta Ads in 2026 00:01:00 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:04 – Molly Welcomes Pep Hufen Back to the Podcast 00:02:18 – Why Pep Has a Unique View Across the Industry 00:03:22 – Meta Ads in 2026: Less "What's Working Now," More "What Is Going On?" 00:04:20 – Q1 Results Across Smart Marketer Agency Clients 00:05:14 – Why Every Brand Experiences Platform Volatility Differently 00:07:02 – Why Struggling Brands Look for Validation Online 00:07:55 – Q2 Performance: Conversion Rates, CPCs, and Industry Benchmarks 00:08:37 – Why Landing Page Conversion Rate Is Often the First Problem Area 00:09:50 – Audience Network Traffic and Lower-Quality Clicks 00:10:29 – Why Conversion Rates Are Dropping Across Accounts 00:11:37 – Possible Causes: Economy, Meta Outages, Geopolitics, and Algorithm Changes 00:12:26 – Andromeda, Consolidation, and Trusting Meta's Algorithm 00:13:30 – Why a Hybrid Campaign Structure May Be Best Right Now 00:14:29 – How Traffic Quality and Page Indexing May Be Affecting Conversion Rates 00:16:22 – Meta's AI Creative Changes and Automatic Ad Enhancements 00:17:21 – Optimizing for Lifetime Value Instead of First Purchase 00:18:21 – AI-Generated Pages, AI Slop, and Landing Page Quality 00:20:08 – Q2 Revenue and Profitability Trends 00:21:24 – Why a 20% Swing from Q1 to Q2 Feels So Significant 00:21:53 – How Profitability Is Being Impacted by Ad Spend and Revenue Shifts 00:22:34 – What Pep Expects for Q3 and Q4 00:23:40 – Why Meta Still Needs Advertisers to Win 00:24:34 – How Mindset Shapes Performance During Volatile Seasons 00:26:35 – What Winning Brands Are Doing Right Now 00:27:06 – Protecting Profitability Instead of Chasing Ego Metrics 00:27:54 – Why Founders Should Stay Focused on Product and Market Understanding 00:30:31 – Channel Diversification and Where Leaders Should Spend Their Time 00:31:17 – Why Summer Is a Good Time to Reorganize and Refocus 00:32:59 – Pep's Core Takeaway: Great Products Beat Platform Volatility 00:33:48 – Organic Content, Brand Building, and Understanding Your Audience 00:34:55 – How AI Is Affecting Assets, Workflows, and Data Interpretation 00:35:28 – Moving from AI-Enabled to AI-Native Businesses 00:36:57 – Smart Marketer's Upcoming Agentic Business System 00:38:04 – Why Your Mindset Will Dictate Your Success 00:40:05 – Why AI May Be Bigger Than the Internet 00:41:08 – Molly's Balanced Take on AI, Change, and Humanity 00:44:03 – Navigating Business Transitions with the Right Outlook 00:45:06 – Smart Marketer Agency Services and How to Work with the Team 00:45:32 – What's Coming Next: Smart Marketer's Agentic Operating System 00:46:27 – Final CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us keep bringing you real-world marketing insights, honest conversations, and practical strategies from inside the businesses we're building every day. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀
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  Episode 281: Leading Media Buyers, Winning on TikTok Shop & the New Creative Playbook 24.06.2026 46min

  Episode Description TikTok Shop is creating a totally different kind of opportunity for ecommerce brands, but it is not just another paid ads platform. In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer's Manager of Advertising, Dilyana Doychinova, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to lead paid performance teams, support media buyers, and stay ahead as Meta, TikTok Shop, Google, and AI continue to evolve. Dilyana shares how Smart Marketer builds a culture where media buyers can ask for help without feeling like they're failing, why strong SOPs need to teach the "why" behind the strategy, and what brands need to understand before jumping into TikTok Shop. You'll hear why TikTok Shop requires a completely different mindset than Meta, how affiliates and samples shape the platform, and why the creative learnings from TikTok can become valuable across your entire paid media strategy. "TikTok has nothing to do with Meta, honestly. TikTok is closer to Netflix than it's to Meta." – Dilyana Doychinova If you manage a paid traffic team, work with media buyers, or are trying to figure out whether TikTok Shop belongs in your growth strategy, this episode is packed with real-world insight from inside the Smart Marketer Agency. You Will Learn: • How Dilyana went from almost missing the Smart Marketer opportunity to leading the paid performance team. • Why media buyers need both accountability and psychological safety to do their best work. • How Smart Marketer onboards new media buyers without throwing them into the deep end. • Why SOPs should teach decision-making, not just checklists. • How the Smart Marketer team stays current as Meta, AI, and ad platforms change. • Why TikTok Shop requires a completely different mindset than Meta advertising. • What kinds of products tend to work best on TikTok Shop. • Why affiliates, samples, and creator momentum are key to winning on TikTok Shop. • How TikTok creative can become a growth engine for Meta and other paid media channels. • How Dilyana uses AI tools like Claude to analyze performance, halo effect, and platform impact. • Why the human side of media buying still matters in an increasingly AI-powered world. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com Mentor Table: smartmarketer.com/mentor-table OmniSend Sponsor Offer: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Note for podcast listeners: Dilyana's Mentor Table Nashville talk on TikTok Shop and the Cleanies case study will be embedded in the show notes on the Smart Marketer website. Visit smartmarketer.com/podcast to watch it there. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 – Welcome: Paid Traffic, AI, Creative Systems & TikTok Shop 00:01:33 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:36 – Molly Introduces Dilyana Doychinova 00:04:03 – Why Dilyana Joined the Podcast 00:05:17 – Dilyana's Smart Marketer Origin Story 00:08:15 – Turning a Missed Opportunity Into a Career-Defining Role 00:11:05 – Dilyana's Current Role Leading Paid Performance & TikTok Shop 00:12:30 – How to Lead and Support Media Buyers 00:14:08 – Building Trust So Team Members Can Ask for Help 00:16:53 – Creating a Healthy Culture Inside a Paid Performance Team 00:18:37 – Smart Marketer's Media Buyer Onboarding Process 00:21:08 – How New Hires Transition Into Client Accounts 00:24:13 – Why SOPs Need to Explain the "Why" Behind the Process 00:26:39 – How Meta Changes Are Shifting Campaign Structure 00:27:32 – Staying Current with Platform Updates, AI, and Team Masterminds 00:29:00 – How the Media Buying Team Shares What's Working 00:29:55 – The Difference Between TikTok Shop and Paid Ads 00:30:54 – Why TikTok Shop Requires a Different Way of Thinking 00:31:06 – What Makes TikTok Creative So Hard to Win 00:32:01 – What Products Work Best on TikTok Shop 00:32:55 – Why High-AOV Products Can Work, But Require More Investment 00:33:17 – The Affiliate and Sample Strategy Behind TikTok Shop 00:35:47 – Using TikTok Shop as a Creative Testing Platform 00:37:37 – Finding the First Winning TikTok Video 00:38:51 – Turning TikTok Creative Into Meta Creative 00:39:49 – Why TikTok Is a Hub for Cross-Platform Creative Assets 00:40:22 – How Dilyana Uses AI to Analyze TikTok's Halo Effect on Amazon 00:42:07 – The Future of Media Buying in an AI-Powered World 00:43:34 – How AI Is Helping Dilyana Move Faster 00:44:45 – Mentor Table TikTok Shop Talk & Cleanies Case Study 00:45:50 – Final CTA: Subscribe and Support the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us keep bringing you practical marketing strategy, behind-the-scenes lessons, and real conversations with the people building what's next. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀
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  Episode 280: AI Creative Strategy: How to Analyze Ads, Find What's Working, and Build Smarter Creative Systems with Ben Bennett 17.06.2026 38min

  Episode Description Everybody can generate AI creative now. The real advantage is knowing what to make next. In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, to unpack the AI-powered creative strategy workflow he's building inside the Smart Marketer creative department. Instead of using AI only to pump out more ads, Ben explains how to use it to analyze creative, identify hidden performance patterns, build a "creative DNA" system, and turn ad data into smarter decisions. From creative metadata and hook analysis to Claude skills, Gemini video analysis, and the future of AI-powered ad briefs, this episode is a deep dive into how modern marketers can use AI for strategy, not just production. "Everybody gets it now, basically, how we can produce something from AI. The differentiator is going to be the strategy." – Ben Bennett You Will Learn: • Why AI-generated creative is no longer the biggest advantage — strategy is. • How Ben uses AI to analyze ads like a human creative strategist. • What "creative metadata" is and why it matters in the Andromeda era. • How to build a Creative DNA sheet for hooks, imagery, content type, awareness level, style, emotional motivators, and more. • Why separating creative intake from creative analysis makes your AI workflow more useful over time. • How AI can uncover surprising insights, like when scarcity hooks do not work at the bottom of the funnel. • Why the best AI systems still need subject matter experts behind them. • How Gemini, Claude, and Claude Code can support deeper creative strategy. • Why creative volume alone is not the goal — smarter, more strategic creative is. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Agency: smartmarketeragency.com The Smart Marketer Podcast: smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: smartmarketer.com/free-resources Instagram: @smartmarketerig OmniSend Sponsor: smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:01 – Introduction: AI for Creative Strategy, Not Just Production 00:00:58 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses OmniSend 00:02:02 – Molly Welcomes Ben Bennett Back to the Podcast 00:02:58 – Ben's Journey from Distillery Marketing to Director of Creative 00:04:26 – How Ben "AI-ified" the Smart Marketer Creative Department 00:05:47 – Why AI Creative Strategy Is the Real Opportunity 00:06:17 – Everybody Can Produce with AI, But Strategy Is the Differentiator 00:08:08 – Teaching AI to See Ads Like a Human Creative Strategist 00:10:28 – Creative Metadata and How Meta Indexes Ads 00:12:20 – Why Manual Creative Analysis Does Not Scale 00:13:24 – Building the Creative DNA Sheet 00:14:23 – Separating Creative Intake from Creative Analysis 00:15:25 – Tracking Hook Type, Imagery, Content Type, and Awareness Level 00:16:09 – When Scarcity Hooks Do Not Work at the Bottom of the Funnel 00:17:39 – Style, Emotional Motivators, and Story Frameworks 00:20:26 – Combining Creative Metadata with Performance Data 00:21:14 – Building a Smart Marketer Claude Skill for Creative Analysis 00:22:34 – Finding Hidden Patterns Beyond Obvious Winning Ads 00:24:18 – Why AI Systems Get More Valuable Over Time 00:25:40 – Turning Analysis into New Ad Briefs 00:26:47 – How Creative Insights Can Shape Products, Markets, and Brand Messaging 00:27:15 – Shipping AI Work Before It's Perfect 00:29:16 – Why the Best AI Systems Need Subject Matter Experts 00:32:32 – The Next Step: Closing the Loop and Producing Finished Creatives 00:33:59 – Why Volume for Volume's Sake Is Not the Goal 00:35:03 – Ben's Tip: Learn Claude Code 00:36:03 – How to Start Using AI to Analyze Creative Qualitatively 00:37:32 – Work with Smart Marketer Agency 00:38:25 – Final CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, creative strategists, and ecommerce operators. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere. Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!  
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  Episode 279: Smart Marketer's 2026 Growth Playbook: What We're Building, Testing & Doubling Down On 10.06.2026 41min

  Episode 279: Smart Marketer's 2026 Growth Playbook: What We're Building, Testing & Doubling Down On Episode Description What does growth look like when AI is changing every week, paid traffic is evolving, and your business has to keep adapting in real time? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Molly Pittman and John Grimshaw pull back the curtain on what Smart Marketer has been building, testing, and improving in 2026. From Axon/AppLovin and TikTok Shop to AEO, AI-powered creative, new software, and launching an ecommerce brand from scratch, this episode is a candid look at how Smart Marketer is thinking about the future. You'll hear why partnerships are becoming one of the biggest growth levers, why founder visibility matters more in the AI era, and why not every experiment needs to work in order for your business to keep moving forward. "Not everything has to work. If everything is successful, you're probably not doing enough." – Molly Pittman You Will Learn: • Why Smart Marketer is expanding beyond courses, agency services, and masterminds. • How Axon/AppLovin is creating new paid traffic opportunities for DTC brands. • Why TikTok Shop requires a different approach than traditional paid media. • What AEO is and why AI search may become a major growth channel. • How Smart Marketer is using AI to create more direct-response ad creative. • Why partnerships can unlock faster business growth and new opportunities. • What Molly and John are learning from launching an ecommerce brand from scratch. • Why the info product space is not dead, but it is evolving. • How to decide what to scale, what to cut, and where to focus next. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Podcast: https://smartmarketer.com/podcast Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ Thumbstop: https://usethumbstop.ai/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:22 – Welcome: What's Changing Across Marketing Right Now 00:01:10 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:14 – Molly Welcomes John Grimshaw to the Podcast 00:03:28 – Behind the Scenes: What's Been Happening at Smart Marketer 00:04:34 – How Smart Marketer Has Evolved Beyond Courses 00:06:29 – Why Business Leaders Must Keep Innovating 00:07:34 – Launching the Axon/AppLovin Masterclass 00:09:30 – The Power of Partnerships in Business Growth 00:11:51 – Testing TikTok Shop as a New Growth Channel 00:15:19 – AEO, AI Search, and Optimizing for Answer Engines 00:17:27 – Why Founder Visibility Matters in the AI Era 00:19:13 – Introducing Thumbstop: AI-Powered Ad Creative 00:23:51 – Smart Marketer's First New Software Tool in Years 00:24:49 – Launching a New Ecommerce Brand From Scratch 00:28:59 – Why Partnerships Are Central to Smart Marketer's Next Chapter 00:31:00 – Building Agentic AI Systems for Ecommerce Brands 00:33:01 – Why Courses and Info Products Are Not Dead 00:35:49 – The Reality of Testing New Ideas 00:37:59 – How Smart Marketer Is Refocusing for the Rest of 2026 00:38:29 – Molly's Reminder: Not Everything Has to Work 00:40:38 – Final Thoughts and a Bandit Cameo 00:41:15 – Closing CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners who want to stay ahead of what's coming next. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!
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  Episode 278: Answer Engine Optimization: How Brands Can Win in the Age of AI Search with Kasim Aslam 03.06.2026 50min

  Episode Description AI tools are changing how people research, compare, and make buying decisions, and the brands that show up in those answers are going to have a massive advantage. In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with entrepreneur and AEO expert Kasim Aslam to unpack what Answer Engine Optimization really is, how it differs from traditional SEO, and why founder-led content, real expertise, strong reviews, and authentic authority are becoming non-negotiable for brands that want to stay visible. You'll also hear early results from Smart Marketer's first AEO client cohort, including wins from brands like BabyRX, Winona, and Outdoor Vitals, plus why AEO may be one of the biggest organic opportunities since the early days of SEO. "If you believe in your product, if you're truly a thought leader, if you have the information and if other people really like what you have to say, AEO is great." – Kasim Aslam You Will Learn: • What AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is and why it matters right now. • How AI-driven traffic differs from traditional SEO and paid traffic. • Why founder-led brands and expert-driven content are winning in AI search. • The role schema markup plays in helping AI tools understand your website. • Why reviews, reputation, and real authority are becoming major ranking signals. • How to think about attribution when AEO cannot be tracked like Meta or Google Ads. • Why "being for someone" is one of the most important marketing advantages in the AI era. • Early AEO case studies from BabyRX, Winona, and Outdoor Vitals. • Why brands that lack a clear point of view may struggle as answer engines become more influential. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ AEO: https://aeo.co/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:16 – Introduction: Why AEO Matters for Modern Brands 00:01:16 – Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:20 – Molly Welcomes Kasim Aslam to the Podcast 00:04:11 – The Power of Long-Term Relationships in Business 00:06:34 – How Molly and Kasim's AEO Partnership Began 00:11:09 – Why AEO Is the Future of Marketing 00:13:14 – What Is AEO and How Is It Different from SEO? 00:15:42 – How Kasim Started Studying Answer Engine Optimization 00:16:44 – Why Understanding the Machine Matters 00:18:01 – Why AEO Strategy Must Be Vertical-Specific 00:19:16 – Why AEO Is Harder to Game Than Traditional SEO 00:20:08 – Why Reputation, Reviews, and Real Authority Matter 00:22:34 – Why Context Changes Every AI Search Result 00:24:48 – Why Direct Response Marketers May Struggle with AEO 00:26:14 – How to Measure AEO When Traditional Attribution Breaks 00:28:47 – Bot Traffic, Citations, and Secondary Success Signals 00:30:22 – The Return of "How Did You Hear About Us?" 00:32:54 – Early AEO Results from the First Client Cohort 00:34:33 – BabyRX Case Study: From Zero Visibility to AI Citations 00:35:31 – Why Schema Markup Is Critical for AI Visibility 00:37:32 – How Content Repurposing Helps AI Validate Authority 00:39:47 – Winona Case Study: Growing Share of Voice in Google AI Mode 00:40:46 – Outdoor Vitals Case Study: From Invisible to 34% AI Visibility 00:42:12 – Content Atomization and Founder-Led Authority 00:43:23 – How to Apply for the Next AEO Test Cohort 00:45:03 – Why Answer Engines Trust People More Than Brands 00:47:41 – Why Brands Need a Real Point of View 00:48:09 – Final Thoughts: Why AEO Rewards Businesses That Truly Serve Their Market 00:49:47 – Closing CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners who want to stay ahead of what's coming next. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!
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  Episode 277: How to Build an AI-Native Team with Rytis Lauris of Omnisend 27.05.2026 31min

  Episode Description AI can help your team move faster, work smarter, and free up hours of repetitive work… but only if you build the habits, systems, and ownership to actually use it. In this live session from Mentor Table Nashville, Rytis Lauris, co-founder and CEO of Omnisend, shares the six practical lessons his company learned while transforming a 200+ person organization into a more AI-native team. From monthly AI Days and simple point-solution agents to the mindset shift required to "manage" AI assistants, this episode is packed with real-world examples you can bring back to your own business. "AI can really help us to be way more productive and to be better employees, to be better specialists, to be better humans." – Rytis Lauris If you've been wondering how to get your team to move beyond "playing around with ChatGPT" and start using AI to save time, improve processes, and scale smarter, this one is for you. You Will Learn: • Why AI adoption has to be intentional and led from the top down. • How Omnisend uses monthly "AI Days" to help employees build real AI habits. • Why simple point solutions often work better than complex AI agents. • How a sales team built an AI follow-up tool without engineers. • How Omnisend reduced influencer review time from 90 hours to 20 hours per month. • Why AI tools should be treated like products, not one-time projects. • The importance of assigning a human "manager" to each AI agent. • Why AI works best when it improves existing processes instead of creating new work. • How AI can support email, SMS, segmentation, forms, support, and sales workflows. • Why the future belongs to humans who learn how to scale themselves with AI. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table Omnisend Smart Marketer (sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Time Stamps: 00:00:15 – Welcome: Moving Beyond AI Marketing Tasks 00:01:13 – Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:02:39 – John Introduces Omnisend and Rytis Lauris 00:04:16 – Why Becoming AI-Native Isn't as Simple as Buying Tools 00:06:14 – Lesson 1: AI Does Not Adopt Itself 00:07:18 – How Omnisend Uses Monthly AI Days Across the Company 00:08:19 – The Sales Follow-Up AI Agent That Saves Time After Calls 00:09:30 – Reducing Influencer Review Time from 90 Hours to 20 Hours 00:10:31 – Lesson 2: Complexity Is a Trap 00:12:21 – Why Point Solutions Beat Over-Engineered AI Agents 00:13:24 – Lesson 3: Switch from a Project Mindset to a Product Mindset 00:15:24 – Lesson 4: Iteration Isn't Sexy, But It's Inevitable 00:16:24 – Why Every AI Agent Needs a Human Owner 00:17:23 – The AI Voice SDR Example: Smart, Useful, and Still Imperfect 00:19:13 – How Omnisend's AI Support Agent Resolves 40% of Support Conversations 00:21:19 – Lesson 5: Build on Existing Processes, Don't Create New Work 00:22:13 – Rytis' LinkedIn AI Agent Story and Why AI Won't Create Habits for You 00:23:55 – Omnisend's Most-Used AI Features: Subject Lines and Preheaders 00:24:47 – AI for Email Copywriting and Segment Building 00:25:58 – AI Form Generation and Giving Customers Control 00:26:48 – Lesson 6: AI Is an Assistant, Not the Enemy 00:28:00 – How Point Solutions Can Free Up 30–40% of Your Time 00:28:45 – Recap: The Six Lessons for Becoming AI-Native 00:30:11 – Special Omnisend Offer for Smart Marketer Listeners 00:30:39 – Closing Thoughts Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue bringing you practical marketing strategies, behind-the-scenes systems, and real-world business insights from operators who are doing the work. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode on social media, tag @smartmarketer, and use #WeOutHere. Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!
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  Episode 276: How to Get Your Brand Recommended by AI: AEO with Julian Lopez 20.05.2026 45min

    Episode Description AI is changing how customers discover, research, and choose brands. If your business isn't showing up in AI-generated answers, you may be missing the next major wave of organic visibility. In this live session from Mentor Table Nashville, Julian Lopez from the Smart Marketer team breaks down AEO, Answer Engine Optimization, and what brands need to do now to become the recommended choice inside AI tools, AI overviews, and answer engines. From schema markup and indexability to brand authority and bottom-of-funnel search intent, Julian shares the early signals Smart Marketer is seeing after analyzing thousands of AI-driven commercial searches. "Your brand is not what you say, it is what AI is able to pull out of the answer." – Julian Lopez You Will Learn: • What AEO is and why it matters for brands that want to stay visible in the AI era. • Why SEO isn't dead, but the game has changed. • How AI tools research, compare, and recommend brands behind the scenes. • Why your website is becoming less of a destination and more of a data source. • The difference between informational traffic and bottom-of-funnel commercial intent. • How schema markup helps AI understand your products, people, and brand. • Why third-party sources, reviews, Reddit, directories, and social proof impact AI recommendations. • How to structure your content so AI can retrieve, understand, and cite it faster. • Why brand authority now depends on what AI can verify across the web. • What agentic shopping may mean for the future of ecommerce. Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. Time Stamps: 00:00:20: Welcome: AI, Paid Traffic, Creative and Organic Visibility 00:01:11: Sponsor Message: Why Ezra Firestone Uses Omnisend 00:02:14: Molly Introduces Julian Lopez and the Importance of AEO 00:03:47: How to Get Your Brand Recommended by AI 00:05:00: Create Relevance, Not Awareness 00:06:03: Why AEO Is Still an Emerging Discipline 00:07:09: What Changed: AI Enters the Search Experience 00:08:16: Search Is Becoming Delegated Research 00:09:39: Is SEO Dead? What's Actually Changing 00:10:41: What Commercial Search Results Look Like Now 00:12:11: The Future of Walled Gardens, Wearables and AI Everywhere 00:14:11: GEO, LMO, AEO: What Should We Call It? 00:15:10: The Goal: Become the AI-Recommended Brand 00:16:19: What Smart Marketer Found After Thousands of AI Queries 00:17:22: Why Your Website Is Now a Data Source 00:18:28: The Challenge: AI Platforms Are Black Boxes 00:19:28: SEO Still Matters, But Rankings Aren't the Whole Story 00:21:29: How AI Answers Actually Work 00:22:38: Why Bottom-of-Funnel Questions Are the New Opportunity 00:23:21: The Site Is Not the Destination, It's the Data Source 00:24:29: The Answer Budget Theory: How AI Chooses Brands 00:26:43: Why AI Looks Beyond Your Website Before Recommending You 00:28:10: Your Brand Is Built on the Sources 00:29:10: The AEO Action Plan: Indexability, Content Readiness and Authority 00:32:11: Why You Need to Let the Right Bots Access Your Site 00:33:06: Schema Markup: Helping AI Understand Your Business 00:36:38: How to Make Product Pages More Specific for AI 00:38:44: IDs, Entities and Connecting Your Website's Information 00:39:45: Optimizing Product Data, Ratings and Rich Results 00:40:44: Content Structure: Make Your Pages Easier for AI to Retrieve 00:42:12: Cover Topics, Not Just Keywords 00:43:12: Brand Representation and Authority in the AI Era 00:44:23: Agentic Shopping: What's Coming Next 00:45:13: Wrap-Up and Final Applause Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and ecommerce operators. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere. Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!  
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  Episode 275: The Paid Ads Machine: Creative Systems That Scale in the Age of AI 13.05.2026 54min

  Episode 275: The Paid Ads Machine: Creative Systems That Scale in the Age of AI Episode Description What if your ad creative system could think more like Meta's algorithm? In this live session from Mentor Table Nashville, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative Ben Bennett and Creative Operations Manager Melvin Cotton III break down the exact system they use to plan, produce, analyze, and scale paid social creative in the age of AI and Andromeda. From diagnosing what's actually working inside your ad account to building scalable creator systems and using AI to uncover hidden performance insights, this episode is a masterclass in modern paid creative strategy. "Our overall goal is to establish a strong system that provides us good creative and strong feedback." – Melvin Cotton III If you're tired of guessing what makes ads work and want a smarter process for creating winning creative, this episode is for you. You Will Learn: Why marketers are overcomplicating "Andromeda" and what actually matters The difference between what Meta sees in your ads vs. what it knows about users How to use AI to analyze creative at scale The creative variables Smart Marketer tracks across every ad Why "creative volume" alone isn't enough anymore How to identify gaps in your messaging and creative strategy The framework for building a scalable creative production system Different ways to source UGC and creator content effectively Why operational systems are critical for creative scale How feedback loops improve ad performance over time LINKS & RESOURCES: Smart Marketer: https://smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Marketer Agency: https://smartmarketeragency.com/ Mentor Table: https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months. TIME STAMPS: 00:00:17 – Introduction: The Paid Ads Machine 00:01:19 – Ezra Firestone on Why He Uses OmniSend 00:02:41 – Live from Mentor Table Nashville 00:03:55 – How Ben Bennett Joined Smart Marketer 00:06:18 – Creative Planning in the Age of Andromeda 00:08:18 – Why AI & Andromeda Feel Like a "Black Box" 00:12:55 – Using AI to Analyze Creative at Scale 00:17:08 – Building an AI-Powered Creative Data Lab 00:22:34 – Closed Variables vs Open Variables in Creative Analysis 00:25:55 – Applying Marketing Frameworks to Ad Creative 00:29:20 – Turning Creative Data Into Actionable Insights 00:33:32 – What AI Reveals About Winning Creative Patterns 00:36:07 – Why Beginner-Focused Ads Outperformed Problem-Aware Messaging 00:40:56 – Transitioning from Analysis to Production Systems 00:42:01 – Building a Creative Menu for Your Team 00:45:16 – Different Systems for Sourcing UGC & Creator Content 00:48:20 – Creator Compensation & Contracts 00:49:59 – Managing Creative Operations & Tracking Systems 00:51:48 – Identifying Where You Are on the Creative Spectrum 00:52:23 – Final Thoughts & Downloadable Resources YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning into the Smart Marketer Podcast! Your support helps us continue bringing you actionable marketing strategies, behind-the-scenes systems, and real-world business insights. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag @smartmarketer Send feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!
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  Episode 274: How to Use AI to Write Better Meta Ad Copy Without Losing the Human Touch 06.05.2026 40min

  Episode 274: How to Use AI to Write Better Meta Ad Copy Without Losing the Human Touch Episode Description AI can help you write faster, but that does not mean it should be writing your ads for you. In this podcast episode taken from our Smart Paid Traffic Live training, Senior Paid Performance Specialist Dominique Nobel breaks down her step-by-step process for using AI to create stronger Meta ad copy. You will learn how to build a brand intelligence document, generate better hooks, write stronger body copy, improve headlines and descriptions, and use AI as a volume tool while keeping strategy, judgment, and customer insight in human hands. "AI is the volume producer, and us humans, we are the ones that are going to be doing the judgement and be the filter." – Dominique Nobel If you have been using AI and getting copy that feels bland, generic, or a little off, this episode will show you a smarter way to prompt, edit, and test. You Will Learn: Why vague AI prompts lead to vague, generic ad copy How to create a brand intelligence document before asking AI to write anything Dominique's step-by-step prompt process for Meta ad copy How to generate hooks that stop the scroll and open curiosity loops Why body copy should focus on mechanisms, transformation, and objections How to write headlines and descriptions that support the click Why your CTA should include both a clear action and an objection crusher How to use AI for volume while keeping human strategy, fact-checking, and editing in control Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Smart Paid Traffic: https://smartmarketer.com/smart-paid-traffic/ OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00:16 - Introduction: Using AI to Write Stronger Meta Ad Copy 00:01:13 - Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend 00:02:18 - Meet Dominique Nobel and Today's AI Training Agenda 00:04:02 - Rule #1: Your AI Output Is Only as Good as Your Input 00:05:43 - Why You Must Fact-Check and Humanize AI Copy 00:07:40 - AI as the Volume Producer, Humans as the Filter 00:08:45 - Start With a Brand Intelligence Document 00:10:45 - What to Include in Your Competitive Intelligence Prompt 00:13:19 - Writing Better Hooks for Meta Ads 00:20:26 - Building the Body Copy After the Hook 00:26:39 - Why Headlines and Descriptions Still Matter 00:31:08 - Writing CTAs That Drive Action and Handle Objections 00:34:28 - How Hook, Body, CTA, Headline, and Description Work Together 00:35:21 - Live Case Study: Building AI Ad Copy for a Supplement Brand 00:38:16 - Prompt Cowboy AI and Choosing the Right AI Tool 00:39:11 - Final Recap: Test, Iterate, Edit, and Humanize 00:40:27 - Closing Message Call to Action (CTA): If you enjoyed this episode, help us get it in front of more marketers. Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email support@smartmarketer.com If you are ready to grow faster, check out our free trainings and resources at Smart Marketer. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit
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  Episode 273: Scaling to $300M+: Paid Media, Attribution & Building Teams That Win 29.04.2026 30min

  Episode 273: Scaling to $300M+: Paid Media, Attribution & Building Teams That Win  Episode Description What does it really take to scale to $300M+ in revenue and spend $300K per day on ads? In this live Mentor Table session from Nashville, Molly Pittman sits down with entrepreneur Rob Schmidt to break down what actually changes as you grow, from attribution and paid media to leadership and team building. "You have to be really comfortable relying on your other leaders… You need to find good people to surround yourself with that you can trust because you can't do it all yourself. And even if you do, you're not going to be able to put your all into what actually matters for you." – Rob Schmidt If you're trying to grow, simplify, or step into your role as a true operator, this episode will challenge how you think about scaling. You Will Learn: Why you cannot scale without trusting your team and how to delegate effectively What changes when you are spending millions per month on paid media How to think about attribution across multiple models and time windows Why relying on a single attribution model can lead to poor decisions How to evaluate new channels and big marketing bets The truth about brand versus direct response and what actually drives growth How to use data and internal tracking to make better marketing decisions Why top operators constantly revisit fundamentals and keep learning Links & Resources: Smart Marketer: https://www.smartmarketer.com/ Smart Marketer Free Trainings & Resources: https://smartmarketer.com/free-resources/ Mentor Table: https://landing.smartmarketer.com/pages/mentor-table OmniSend (Sponsor): https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Timestamps (Chapters): 00:00:16 – Introduction & Live Mentor Table Session 00:01:13 – Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend 00:02:16 – Meet Rob Schmidt & His $300M Brands 00:03:18 – Inside Winona & Willow 00:04:10 – Rob's Journey from Agency to Operator 00:07:20 – Leadership Shift: Delegation and Hiring 00:09:31 – Paid Media at Scale: What Actually Changes 00:10:39 – Attribution Challenges and Data Complexity 00:12:46 – Direct Response vs Brand Marketing 00:15:10 – Making Big Bets and Testing New Channels 00:17:39 – What Winning Looks Like Moving Forward 00:21:48 – Q&A: Attribution Tools and Data Strategy 00:25:41 – Measuring Organic Traffic and SEO Impact 00:28:21 – Brand vs Direct Response Budget Decisions 00:29:42 – Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Call to Action (CTA): If you enjoyed this episode, help us get it in front of more marketers. Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode on social media and tag us using #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email support@smartmarketer.com If you are ready to grow faster, check out our free trainings and resources at Smart Marketer. Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit
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  Episode 272: The Business Growth Levers That Actually Matter (Ezra Firestone and John Grimshaw) 22.04.2026 1h 4min

  Ep. 272: The Business Growth Levers That Actually Matter (Mentor Table with Ezra Firestone and John Grimshaw) Episode Description Most entrepreneurs are stuck optimizing the wrong things. In this Mentor Table conversation, Ezra Firestone and John Grimshaw break down the real levers that drive business growth from customer acquisition and profitability to product strategy and operational focus. If you have been buried in the weeds, this episode will help you zoom out, simplify, and focus on what actually moves the needle. "Don't quit before the miracle, man, just keep going. I am telling you that it is shocking how effective that strategy is." – Ezra Firestone You Will Learn • The 3 core levers that drive sustainable business growth • Why most businesses waste time on micro optimizations • How to balance profitability versus growth • What makes a true hero offer and how to find yours • The truth about customer acquisition versus retention • How to simplify your business and cut what does not matter • Why creative is the number one lever in paid traffic right now • How top brands are using AI and creators to scale content Links & Resources • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com/ • The Smart Marketer Show – https://smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show/ • OmniSend (50% Off) – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend • Mentor Table – https://landing.smartmarketer.com/pages/mentor-table Timestamps 00:00:16 Introduction: Business Strategy and Growth Levers 00:03:48 Why AI adoption is failing and how to fix it 00:05:53 The 3 core levers of business growth 00:06:42 Micro versus macro and where real growth comes from 00:08:54 Key metrics: new versus returning customers 00:10:46 Profitability, margins and marketing spend 00:13:23 Why your offer not your ads is the real problem 00:14:09 The lifecycle of a winning product 00:17:05 The 3 elements of a winning offer 00:20:23 Simplifying operations and cutting what does not matter 00:21:36 Building a scalable creative system 00:27:57 Paid creators versus influencers versus ambassadors 00:31:46 Leveraging customer data for influencer outreach 00:38:20 The KPI dashboard every business needs 00:45:39 Product development: hero versus supporting SKUs 00:53:10 The future of digital marketing and policy 00:57:20 Final advice: staying in the game long enough to win Call to Action Thank you for tuning in. Your support helps this podcast grow. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to follow, review, and share it with someone who would benefit. Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode and tag Smart Marketer Send feedback to support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit  
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  Episode 271: Meta Ads Q&A: Targeting Evolution, Retargeting & What Actually Matters Now 15.04.2026 17min

  Episode 271: Meta Ads Q&A: Targeting Evolution, Retargeting & What Actually Matters Now Episode Description Are you overthinking your campaign structure while missing what actually drives results? In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman and Smart Marketer's Director of Advertising, Denis Paskalev, continue the Meta Ads Q&A series, diving into retargeting, targeting strategy, and how the algorithm is really working in 2026. From whether you still need separate retargeting campaigns to how creative is now doing the heavy lifting, this conversation breaks down where marketers should actually be focusing their time and energy. "You don't really need to have a separate retargeting campaign because the algorithm is going to do a lot of this." – Denis Paskalev If you are still relying on outdated targeting tactics or overcomplicating your setup, this episode will help you simplify and win. You Will Learn • Whether Meta automatically handles retargeting inside consolidated campaigns • When it actually makes sense to run separate retargeting campaigns • Why broad targeting is becoming the default and what that means for your strategy • How creative and ad copy now act as your primary targeting tools • The role of messaging in attracting different customer avatars • How Meta uses signals like visuals, text, and audio to find the right audience • When to use interest targeting and why it may disappear soon • How to approach testing campaigns with broad versus guided targeting • Practical ways to research and validate customer avatars • How to uncover new audiences using customer data, reviews, and competitors Links & Resources • Free Meta Ads Mini Class – https://smartmarketer.com/meta-ads-mini-class-v3/ • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com• Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) Time Stamps 00:00:17 – Introduction: Continuing the Meta Ads Q&A Series 00:01:12 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and Email and SMS Growth 00:02:16 – Does Meta Handle Retargeting Automatically 00:03:20 – When You Should Use a Separate Retargeting Campaign 00:03:26 – Is Interest Targeting Still Relevant 00:04:27 – How Creative Becomes the New Targeting 00:05:07 – How Meta Indexes Creative, Copy, and Audio Signals 00:07:17 – Broad vs Interest Targeting for Testing Campaigns 00:09:03 – How to Research and Validate Customer Avatars 00:10:21 – Using AI and Customer Reviews for Avatar Insights 00:11:32 – Leveraging Reddit, Forums, and Ad Comments 00:12:43 – Identifying New Avatars from Real Customer Behavior 00:14:51 – Why Business Owners Miss New Opportunities 00:15:06 – Using Competitor Research and Meta Data to Refine Targeting 00:16:20 – Final Thoughts and Wrap Up Your Engagement Matters Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.
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  Episode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What's Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong) 08.04.2026 29min

  Episode 270: Organic Social vs Paid Ads What's Actually Working Right Now (And Why Most Brands Get It Wrong) Most brands are doing organic social completely wrong and it's costing them growth. In this episode, Zach Dampier breaks down what's actually working with organic social right now… and how to use it alongside paid ads without burning out or chasing the wrong metrics. If your organic content feels like an afterthought or just a weaker version of your ads, this episode will completely reframe your strategy. "Organic and paid are not competing for your resources. They're doing completely different jobs in your customer's journey."- Zach Dampier You Will Learn: Why organic social is not just "free ads" (and what it should be instead) The real role of organic content in your customer journey How to create content that builds connection, trust, and loyalty The biggest mistake brands make when measuring organic performance Why follower count can actually hurt your growth if you're not careful When to prioritize paid ads vs. organic (and how to scale both together) The 3-phase framework to build a sustainable organic strategy How to turn organic content into a paid traffic flywheel Simple ways to make organic more measurable (without overcomplicating it) Links & Resources Smart Marketer – https://www.smartmarketer.com/ The Smart Marketer Show – https://smartmarketer.com/smart-marketer-show/ OmniSend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00:15 – Introduction: Why Organic Social Feels Like an Afterthought 00:00:53 – Sponsor: Why Ezra Uses OmniSend for Email & SMS 00:01:56 – Organic vs Paid: The Core Misunderstanding 00:03:42 – The #1 Mistake Brands Make with Organic Content 00:04:27 – The Real Job of Organic vs Paid Ads 00:06:05 – What's Actually Working: Real Organic Content Examples 00:07:42 – Why Authenticity & Storytelling Drive Engagement 00:10:14 – Vulnerability, Trust & Building Real Brand Connection 00:11:04 – The Problem with Chasing the Wrong Metrics 00:11:52 – Why Your Social Metrics Might Be Misleading 00:13:32 – The Truth About Follower Count (And Why It Can Hurt You) 00:15:41 – Reels vs Carousels: What's Working Right Now 00:17:25 – The Metrics You Should Actually Track 00:18:15 – How Organic & Paid Work Together (The Right Way) 00:19:08 – When to Focus on Paid vs Organic (Early-Stage Strategy) 00:21:24 – Organic as "Meta Insurance" Explained 00:23:13 – Turning Organic Content into a Paid Flywheel 00:24:50 – Making Organic Measurable with Tools Like ManyChat 00:25:43 – The 3 Phases of a Winning Organic Strategy 00:27:32 – Final Takeaways: Long-Term vs Short-Term Growth Call to Action (CTA) If you enjoyed this episode, don't keep it to yourself Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere Have questions or feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Your support helps us bring you more actionable strategies every week Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit
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  Episode 269: Meta Ads Q&A: Creative, Budgets, and What's Actually Working Right Now 01.04.2026 22min

  Episode 269: Meta Ads Q&A: Creative, Budgets, and What's Actually Working Right Now Episode Description In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman, CEO of Smart Marketer, and Denis Paskalev, Director of Advertising, answer real questions from marketers navigating the shift in Meta ads, starting with one of the biggest concerns right now: can small businesses still win? They break down the reality behind creative demands, including whether you really need dozens of new ads every week, and what actually drives performance when budgets are limited. "The information that we give you are our best practices of what we see in terms of companies that are growing really quickly." – Molly Pittman If you're trying to simplify your Meta strategy and get better results without overcomplicating things, this episode will give you a practical path forward. You Will Learn • Why Meta ads still work for small businesses with limited budgets • The truth about needing large volumes of creative • How to approach campaign structure without overcomplicating it • When to consolidate campaigns versus splitting them for more control • Why your offer matters more than your campaign setup • Creative lead generation strategies beyond "get a quote" • How to structure campaigns for local service businesses • Ways to target local audiences and avoid wasted spend • How to think about lifetime value when running local ads Links & Resources • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Smart Marketer Agency – https://smartmarketeragency.com/ • Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com• Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months)   Time Stamps 00:00:15 – Introduction to the Meta Ads Q&A 00:01:00 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend and email/SMS growth 00:02:05 – Can small businesses still win on Meta? 00:03:11 – Do you really need dozens of new creatives? 00:04:27 – Should you stop running Meta ads or keep going? 00:05:04 – Can you scale with just one strong ad? 00:06:41 – Campaign structure for local service businesses 00:07:37 – Why "get a quote" is a weak lead magnet 00:08:29 – Creative offer ideas that actually convert 00:10:35 – One offer versus multiple funnels 00:10:47 – When to combine or split campaigns 00:11:41 – Budget allocation and controlling performance 00:12:42 – High-converting example: the LASIK calculator 00:13:53 – How to target locals instead of tourists 00:14:54 – Tripwires and entry offers for local businesses 00:16:55 – Thinking in lifetime value for local ads 00:18:15 – Advanced location targeting tips 00:20:01 – Creative strategies for local ad performance 00:21:13 – Final thoughts and wrap-up Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.
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  Episode 268: Axon Ads - How to Diversify Beyond Meta and Find New Customers 25.03.2026 1h 16min

  Episode 268: Axon Ads - How to Diversify Beyond Meta and Find New Customers Episode Description In this episode of the Smart Marketer Podcast, Molly Pittman is joined by Smart Marketer agency CEO Pep Hufen to break down Axon (also known as AppLovin), a fast-growing ad platform that is giving marketers a new way to diversify beyond Meta. They walk through how the platform works, what makes it different from traditional social media advertising, and why it is becoming a powerful channel for acquiring net-new customers. From creative requirements and campaign setup to attribution differences and scaling strategies, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to start testing Axon in your own business. If you are running ads for ecommerce, SaaS, info products, or local businesses, this episode will help you understand how to expand your paid traffic strategy and unlock new growth opportunities. "The goal is not necessarily for you to replace Meta. The goal is to run advertising on both platforms. You want to have traffic diversification. You want to reach people that otherwise you wouldn't be able to reach." – Pep Hufen You Will Learn • Why Axon is emerging as a serious alternative for paid traffic diversification beyond Meta • How the Axon ad experience differs from traditional social media platforms • Why user psychology on gaming apps leads to higher attention and engagement • How Axon attribution works and why it appears more conservative than Meta • When to use ROAS optimization versus cost per purchase • How to choose between day-zero and day-seven optimization windows • What types of creative formats perform best on the platform • How to structure your first campaign and creative sets for testing • What to expect when launching and evaluating early performance • How brands are scaling spend while acquiring a high percentage of new customers Links & Resources • Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com• Axon – https://smartmarketer.com/axon • Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months) • Thumbstop – https://smartmarketer.com/thumbstop (Thumbstop Is Live. Get 50% Off For The First 3 Months. Use Code SMART50 At Checkout After Creating An Account.) Time Stamps 00:00:15 – Introduction to Axon and expanding beyond Meta 00:01:08 – Ezra Firestone on OmniSend for email and SMS 00:02:13 – Molly introduces Axon and Pep Hufen 00:03:01 – Why Axon is a major opportunity for paid traffic 00:04:26 – What to expect from this training and roadmap 00:05:19 – How quickly you can launch campaigns on Axon 00:08:58 – What AppLovin is and how the platform started 00:10:21 – Why this is about diversification, not replacing Meta 00:11:33 – How Axon blends social media and TV-style ads 00:12:24 – The scale of mobile gaming audiences 00:14:08 – Conversion behavior and fast purchase cycles 00:15:16 – Attribution differences between Axon and Meta 00:17:39 – The three-part Axon ad experience explained 00:19:27 – Creative best practices and video requirements 00:22:17 – Why Axon delivers longer attention spans 00:24:20 – The psychology of users playing games vs scrolling 00:25:46 – What the interactive step is and how it works 00:26:51 – Using Thumbstop to create ad creatives 00:28:46 – Why gaming users are more relaxed and receptive 00:30:38 – How Axon's AI model works differently 00:33:13 – Step-by-step campaign setup overview 00:35:53 – Choosing ROAS vs cost per purchase 00:39:15 – Universal vs prospecting campaigns 00:40:52 – Day-zero vs day-seven optimization 00:42:44 – Budgeting and data maturity expectations 00:46:17 – Structuring creative sets for testing 00:49:55 – Scaling strategies and creative expansion 00:53:33 – Budget timing and UTC considerations 00:54:36 – Axon credit offer and how to get started 00:55:26 – Case studies and real brand results 00:58:18 – Next steps and upcoming masterclass 00:59:28 – Catalog segmentation and targeting questions 01:03:53 – Live walkthrough of campaign setup 01:10:33 – Success rate across tested brands 01:11:35 – Offer types and landing page strategies 01:12:21 – Scaling campaigns effectively 01:14:17 – Final thoughts, resources, and tools 01:15:57 – Outro Your Engagement Matters! Thank you for tuning in to the Smart Marketer Podcast. Your support helps us continue sharing actionable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs around the world. If you enjoyed this episode: Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts Share this episode with a fellow marketer or entrepreneur Tag us on social media and use #WeOutHere Have feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the world unselfishly and profit.