Explore every episode of the podcast Product Growth Lab
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17: Stop the Discount Spiral: How to Drive Sales Without Slashing Prices | 19 juin 2025 | 00:26:08 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul discuss why business owners don't need to rely on discounts to increase sales. They emphasize that discounts can undermine profit margins and train customers to wait for sales. Instead, they introduce the BUS framework—Bonuses, Urgency, and Scarcity—as more effective strategies. They explain how adding bonuses, creating urgency, and establishing scarcity can make offers more appealing without affecting profitability. The episode provides practical examples and encourages listeners to test these tactics in their own promotions. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:34 The Myth of Discounts for Sales 01:10 The Downside of Frequent Discounts 03:49 Introducing the BUS Framework 04:31 Using Bonuses to Add Value 08:23 Creating Urgency Without Sleaze 13:04 Leveraging Scarcity Effectively 14:00 Limited Edition Products and Scarcity 15:49 Combining Bonuses, Urgency, and Scarcity 16:54 The Value of Free Gifts 18:58 Overcoming Product Perfectionism 23:02 Challenge: Run a Promotion Without Discounts 25:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement | |||
| 16: What Shopify’s Latest Updates Really Mean for Product-Based Businesses | 12 juin 2025 | 00:34:58 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul dive deep into Shopify's Summer 2025 updates, highlighting over 150 new features. They focus on the top five features that are most beneficial for standard Shopify users, including the new Horizon themes, AI-generated content blocks, enhanced Sidekick and campaign tracking tools, and the AI-powered knowledge base app. The hosts provide practical advice on transitioning to Horizon themes, utilizing AI tools, and leveraging the new campaign tracking for better sales insights. They emphasize the importance of these updates in helping small to medium-sized businesses grow efficiently without major investments. Tune in for actionable insights and strategies to make the most of these Shopify enhancements. 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:33 Exciting Shopify Summer 2025 Updates 02:17 Deep Dive into Horizon Themes 10:21 AI-Generated Star Blocks: A Game Changer 14:17 Meet the Smarter Sidekick 17:55 Navigating Shopify's Interface Changes 18:08 Facebook Ads Interface Challenges 19:07 Shopify Campaign Tracking Features 24:28 AI Powered Knowledge Base App 30:32 Shopify Plans and Themes 34:07 Conclusion and Resources | |||
| 15: Scaling Your Handmade Business for Long-Term Success | 05 juin 2025 | 00:28:32 | |
In the final episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast series on moving beyond marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul explore advanced strategies to scale your handmade business on your own terms. The episode covers how to increase average order value through upsells, cross-sells, bundles, and free shipping thresholds, and how to encourage repeat customers with actionable follow-up techniques and collection launches. Additionally, the hosts discuss ways to automate and streamline processes, such as email marketing and order fulfilment, to save time and boost profitability. They conclude with tips on leveraging flash sales to attract new customers and sustain growth. Resources Mentioned: Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:36 Introduction to Scaling Your Handmade Business 01:52 Increasing Your Average Order Value 10:54 Boosting Repeat Customers 19:30 Automating and Streamlining for Efficiency 27:02 Flash Sales and Final Thoughts | |||
| 14: Moving Beyond Etsy and Amazon with Email Marketing | 29 mai 2025 | 00:29:52 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul dive into the power of email marketing for creative product-based businesses. They discuss why email is more effective than social media for driving sales, how to grow your email list without being annoying, essential email sequences for all businesses, and tips for writing effective emails. They also provide actionable insights on leveraging automated email sequences, including welcome sequences, abandoned cart sequences, and post-purchase sequences, to boost sales and build lasting customer relationships. Whether you're new to email marketing or looking to refine your strategy, this episode offers valuable advice to help you grow your business on your own terms. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction to Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:36 Series Overview: Moving from Marketplaces to Your Own Site 01:15 The Power of Email Marketing 01:43 Why Email Outperforms Social Media 07:19 Growing Your Email List Effectively 13:24 Must-Have Email Sequences for Your Business 18:20 Post-Purchase Email Strategies 21:25 Tips for Sending Effective Newsletters 28:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts | |||
| 13: Traffic To Your Own Site Without Ads | 22 mai 2025 | 00:26:45 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul delve into effective strategies for driving traffic to your store without relying on paid ads. They discuss the importance of leveraging organic traffic sources, such as social media, Pinterest, Google SEO, and email marketing. The hosts emphasize quality over quantity in social media posts, the long-term benefits of SEO, and the unique advantages Pinterest offers as a hybrid social/search platform. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help creative product-based business owners grow their ventures sustainably and effectively. 00:00 Introduction to Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:32 Episode Introduction: Driving Traffic Without Ads 01:13 The Four Buckets of Traffic 02:59 Best Organic Traffic Sources for Handmade Businesses 03:26 Why Avoid Paid Ads? 05:05 Focus on Pinterest for Long-Term Traffic 12:05 Google Search and SEO Strategies 16:24 Effective Social Media Strategies Without Burnout 23:12 The Importance of Email Marketing 24:46 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview | |||
| 12: Building a Profitable Handmade Business Beyond Etsy | 13 févr. 2025 | 00:27:43 | |
Join hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul in this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast as they discuss the importance of expanding handmade businesses beyond Etsy. They explain the hidden downsides of relying solely on Etsy, such as not owning your audience, high fees, arbitrary policy changes, and competition. Andrew and Melissa advocate for transitioning to platforms like Shopify, which offer lower fees and greater control over customer data and brand experience. Listen in for practical strategies on setting up a high-converting website, driving traffic organically, utilizing email marketing, and scaling your business sustainably. Subscribe for more actionable insights and real-life stories from successful business owners and experts. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab 00:31 Why You Need to Expand Beyond Etsy 02:05 Hidden Downsides of Relying on Etsy 11:48 Benefits of Having Your Own Website 24:48 How to Transition from Etsy to Your Own Website 26:34 Conclusion and Next Steps | |||
| 11: Tips For Better Results From Your E-Commerce Email Marketing in 2025 | 30 janv. 2025 | 00:32:29 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, Andrew and Melissa discuss strategies and insights for maximizing the effectiveness of email marketing in 2023. They emphasize the importance of analytics for focusing efforts and understanding traffic sources. They bring attention to the significance of sending regular emails, segmentation, maintaining a good sender reputation, and employing automation. The conversation includes tips on using platforms like Klaviyo, the role of AI in email content, and best practices for ensuring email deliverability. They wrap up by motivating listeners to experiment with flash sales and encouraging community engagement for more personalized support. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:40 Technical Difficulties and Podcast Beginnings 01:25 Importance of Reviews and Analytics 03:49 Email Marketing Strategies for 2025 08:10 Automation and Optimization in Email Marketing 17:57 Segmentation and Reputation Management 30:46 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Offers | |||
| 10: Navigating 2025: Trends and Tips for E-Commerce Success | 16 janv. 2025 | 00:28:21 | |
In the first episode of 2025, Andrew George and Melissa Pikul discuss emerging trends in the e-commerce industry. They dive into the role of AI in business, the rise of live shopping experiences, and the importance of sustainability. They also explore subscription models, local and micro-community marketing, and the benefits and challenges of multi-channel sales strategies. This episode offers valuable insights and actionable tips for creative product-based business owners looking to grow their businesses in the coming year. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:35 2025 Trends and Opportunities for E-commerce 01:20 The Impact of AI on Business 05:45 Live Shopping Experiences 10:23 Sustainability in Business 12:44 Subscriptions and Membership Models 17:41 Localized and Micro Community Marketing 19:49 Multi-Channel Sales Strategies 27:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts | |||
| 9: How NOT To Run a Giveaway | 09 janv. 2025 | 00:23:39 | |
Avoiding Common Giveaway Pitfalls for Business Growth In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul dive into the topic of giveaways and reveal common mistakes to avoid. They discuss why giveaways are effective for list growth, brand awareness, and sales, but also caution against errors such as choosing the wrong prize, overcomplicating the entry process, ignoring legal guidelines, failing to promote the giveaway, and neglecting follow-up. The hosts provide actionable tips and share real-life examples to ensure that listeners can run successful and effective giveaways for their product-based businesses. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:35 Introduction to Today's Topic: Giveaways 01:19 Common Pitfalls of Giveaways 01:58 Choosing the Right Prize 05:52 Simplifying the Entry Process 11:05 Legal and Platform Rules 14:29 Promoting Your Giveaway 18:09 Following Up After the Giveaway 22:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts | |||
| 8: How to Find Winning Products Your Customers Actually Want | 02 janv. 2025 | 00:28:50 | |
Finding Winning Products Your Customers Actually Want In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast hosted by Melissa Pikul, creative product-based business owners learn how to identify and develop products that resonate with customers. Highlighting actionable strategies and real-life examples, the episode covers understanding target audiences, analyzing market trends, and leveraging customer feedback. Listeners also get tips on innovating to solve customer problems and validating product ideas through small-scale testing. The show wraps up with a promotion for a flash sale guide to boost sales quickly. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:31 Finding Winning Products Your Customers Want 01:15 Understanding Your Target Audience 02:40 Engaging with Your Audience for Feedback 07:06 Analyzing Market Trends and Competitors 12:45 Starting Small and Testing Products 19:36 Leveraging Customer Feedback and Data 23:47 Innovating to Solve Customer Problems 27:56 Conclusion and Next Steps | |||
| 7: Reflecting on 2024: Wins, Challenges, and Trends for Creative Entrepreneurs | 26 déc. 2024 | 00:42:49 | |
Reflecting on 2024: Wins, Challenges, and Trends for Creative Entrepreneurs In the final episode of 2024, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul reflect on the journey of the Product Growth Lab podcast and share key lessons learned throughout the year. They discuss the rollercoaster of events in the business world, the rise of AI, the ongoing shift towards privacy, personalized consumer demands, and the increasing focus on sustainability. The episode also covers challenges like supply chain issues and rising ad costs, and emphasizes the importance of simplifying strategies, focusing on a single customer, and producing high-quality content. Listeners are encouraged to rest, reflect, and prepare for a successful 2025 while staying excited for what's to come in the new year. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:31 Reflecting on 2024: Podcast and Business Highlights 04:07 The Impact of AI on Small Businesses 06:54 Privacy Trends and First-Party Data 09:21 Personalization in E-commerce 11:19 Sustainability and Ethical Consumerism 17:43 Supply Chain Challenges and Adaptations 21:20 Ad Costs and Competition Challenges 22:52 The Shift in Advertising Strategies 25:29 Focusing on Organic Traffic 27:04 Lessons Learned in 2024 29:30 Simplifying Business Strategies 30:28 The Importance of Customer Focus 32:49 Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome 33:30 Taking the Leap and Overcoming Procrastination 41:18 Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025 Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 6: Turning First-Time Customers Into Loyal Repeat Buyers | 19 déc. 2024 | 00:26:40 | |
Turning First-Time Customers into Loyal Buyers In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pickle discuss strategies for turning first-time customers into loyal repeat buyers. They emphasize the importance of providing exceptional first purchase experiences, utilizing post-purchase follow-up emails, and personalizing interactions. They also cover the benefits of offering incentives and maintaining excellent customer service to foster loyalty. The episode provides actionable tips and real-life examples to help business owners create lasting customer relationships. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction to Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:32 Turning First-Time Customers into Loyal Buyers 02:50 Providing an Exceptional First Purchase Experience 09:16 Follow-Up Post Purchase Emails 12:50 Building Loyalty Through Personalization 15:05 Encouraging Loyalty with Incentives 20:09 Maintaining Excellent Customer Service 25:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 5: 5 Ways to Get Traffic Without Paying for Ads | 12 déc. 2024 | 00:26:10 | |
Five Proven Strategies to Drive Organic Traffic for Your Shop In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul discuss five actionable strategies to drive organic traffic to your small or growing business without spending money on ads. They delve into the use of social media, collaborations, blogging and SEO, engaging email marketing, and building an online community. Each strategy is broken down with practical tips and insights to help you increase visibility, sales, and customer engagement. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, this episode offers valuable advice to help you grow your business more effectively. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction to Product Growth Lab 00:32 Driving Organic Traffic to Your Shop 01:12 Leveraging Social Media for Traffic 08:07 Collaborations and Cross Promotions 12:06 Blogging and SEO for Long-Term Traffic 15:47 Engaging Email Marketing Strategies 20:07 Building and Engaging with Online Communities 25:05 Conclusion and Next Steps Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 4: How to Make Customers Feel Special Without Going Broke | 05 déc. 2024 | 00:25:10 | |
Creating Memorable Customer Experiences on a Budget In this episode of the Product Growth Lab Podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul delve into strategies for crafting memorable customer experiences without breaking the bank. They emphasize the importance of repeat business over acquiring new customers, sharing real-life examples and cost-effective methods such as upgrading packaging, order inserts, personalized customer service, follow-up email sequences, and loyalty programs. Practical tips and advice abound, offering listeners actionable steps to enhance their brand's customer experience and boost customer loyalty. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:33 Creating Memorable Customer Experiences on a Budget 02:26 Enhancing Packaging to Delight Customers 07:07 Adding Personal Touches with Order Inserts 10:44 Effective Email Sequences for Customer Engagement 15:23 Affordable Customer Service Upgrades 19:30 Encouraging Repeat Business with Loyalty Programs 24:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 3: How To Make Even More Money From Your Next Flash Sale | 27 nov. 2024 | 00:26:47 | |
In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul dive into effective techniques to optimize sales during flash sales. They discuss actionable methods like using countdown timers to create urgency, incorporating scarcity to boost demand, and offering exclusive bonuses to increase customer excitement. They also share practical tips for promoting sales through email and social media and utilizing social proof to build customer confidence. The episode aims to provide creative product-based business owners with practical strategies to enhance their flash sale performance. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction to Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:30 Maximizing Sales During a Flash Sale 00:57 Creating Urgency with Countdown Timers 03:51 Boosting Demand with Scarcity 11:35 Offering Exclusive Bonuses 16:44 Amplifying Sales with Email and Social Media 23:06 Using Social Proof to Build Confidence 25:58 Conclusion and Resources Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 2: The 10 Common Mistakes New Store Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them) - Part Two | 21 nov. 2024 | 00:23:46 | |
Top 10 Mistakes E-commerce Business Owners Keep Making - Part 2 In this episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul discuss the top 10 mistakes that e-commerce business owners repeatedly make. They emphasize the importance of market research, effective inventory management, leveraging email marketing, maintaining a clear brand identity, and focusing on customer retention. The episode provides practical tips on how to avoid these common pitfalls, such as using market validation, tracking key metrics, and developing consistent brand elements. The hosts also stress the significance of promoting sales effectively, with an additional guide on running flash sales. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Introduction to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:33 Top 10 Mistakes E-commerce Business Owners Make 00:38 Mistake #5: Skipping Market Research 05:53 Mistake #6: Poor Inventory Management 10:23 Mistake #7: Not Leveraging Email Marketing 13:17 Mistake #8: Lacking a Clear Brand Identity 15:21 Mistake #9: Overemphasis on New Customers 18:10 Mistake #10: Not Tracking Key Metrics 22:46 Bonus Tip: Promoting to Your Audience 23:21 Conclusion and Farewell Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| 1: The 10 Common Mistakes New Store Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them) - Part One | 07 nov. 2024 | 00:25:00 | |
Top 5 Mistakes New E-Commerce Store Owners Make and How to Avoid Them In the first episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul dive into the challenges faced by new e-commerce store owners. They discuss the top five common mistakes, including not knowing the target audience, overcomplicating product offerings, and ignoring website user experience. The episode offers valuable insights and practical advice from their personal experiences to help entrepreneurs avoid these pitfalls and set the stage for business success. Tune in to learn how to streamline your operations and enhance your growth journey. Resources Mentioned: 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:29 Introduction to the First Episode 00:42 Common Mistakes in E-commerce 01:37 Mistake 1: Not Knowing Your Target Audience 08:46 Mistake 2: Overcomplicating Product Offerings 14:15 Mistake 3: Ignoring Website User Experience 18:49 Mistake 4: Poor Product Images and Descriptions 24:06 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||
| What is The Product Growth Lab and Why Should I Listen? | 24 mai 2024 | 00:01:57 | |
Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast In this introductory episode of the Product Growth Lab podcast, hosts Andrew George and Melissa Pikul, award-winning e-commerce business owners, discuss the goals of the podcast. Aimed at e-commerce business owners seeking growth without significant investments, a large team, or overwhelming stress, the hosts promise actionable strategies, expert insights, and real-world business stories. Listeners are encouraged to try new tactics and benefit from the hosts' experiences and guest expertise. Tune in weekly on popular platforms and subscribe for regular updates. 00:00 Welcome to the Product Growth Lab Podcast 00:43 Meet Your Hosts: Andrew George and Melissa Pikul 00:54 Real Strategies from Real Business Owners 01:22 Overcoming Common Business Challenges 01:35 Subscribe and Join Our Community 01:43 Get Ready to Grow Your Online Business Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio. | |||