The holiday season is peak sales time for most eCommerce retailers. So, have you started thinking about how your social media advertising is going to lead you through this peak season?

I’ve literally just been sitting here going through the campaign strategy and detailed budget planning for our clients. Literally working out down to the dollar, how much revenue should come from paid vs organic channels, how much from new vs returning customers, and how much each client can afford to spend on ads to get each purchase conversion, based on their average order value and cost of goods. 

All those numbers will mean diddly squat, though, without nailing the creative strategy and the offer. Because these are the two elements that actually stop the scroll and help get the click in the first place!

So, if you’re not already running paid social ads right now, OR you are but you’re spending too much and not making a profit, then this episode is for you. 

Episode’s Show Notes: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-250/

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

Replay: www.catherinelangman.com/workshop

www.catherinelangman.com/christmas

https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk-2 

Other Ways To Enjoy This Episode:
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/scale-my-ecommerce-store/id1496911739
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NLRaZh2ReX0Iy7met8HK6
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scalemyecomstore

Last weekend here we had our Christmas pageant in the city. Which means the most magical time of the year is upon us, to take over our minds and our to do lists. And that means it is time to start planning if you want to run a successful eCommerce Christmas promotion. 

As a brand owner or as a retailer, hopefully you are already thinking about your Christmas marketing, but if not, you really do need to work on this now if you want to close out the year with a successful holiday sales season. 

Because demand increases so much at this time of year, it can almost be like fishing in a barrel – it really is the time of year that you, as the business owner, get to generate the bulk of your revenue and profits. 

In this episode, I share some insights about online shopping behaviour that are relevant right now. And then we're going to dive into some tips for your marketing to make sure that you have a super successful Christmas and holiday sales season and have a fabulous final quarter of the year. 

Episode’s Show Notes: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-249/

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk 

Christmas Campaign Planning workshop - www.catherinelangman.com/workshop

Other Ways To Enjoy This Episode:

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/scale-my-ecommerce-store/id1496911739
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NLRaZh2ReX0Iy7met8HK6
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scalemyecomstore

The other day, I read the report a business buddy received from their ad agency. It said “this traffic ad isn’t converting but the traffic is good because it’s feeding your retargeting campaign.”

Only, there was no retargeting campaign!!

And frustratingly, my friend just had no idea, because she hadn’t taken it upon herself to learn anything about how those ads should work.

This scenario happens all too often, and is precisely why I am such a huge advocate for education. 

Even more frustrating, is the fact that what’s working with ads now is not what worked even 6 months ago, and keeps changing rapidly. 

So today on the show, I’m going to share ONE Meta ad strategy that ALL eCom businesses should be utilising right now, no matter if they are a start-up or a 20-year-old multi-million-dollar brand.

Links mentioned in this episode: If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

Workshop: https://www.catherinelangman.com/workshop

Free Growth Strategy: https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk

In this episode, I’m going to talk through some of the results that our clients enjoyed over the Black Friday promotional period, or more importantly to share our insights into those results. 

Specifically, what worked really well, what didn’t work so well, and what kind of results did our clients achieve as a result of the specific strategies used.

Overall, I can say that it was a huge success, which was welcome news for everyone after the year that’s been. In fact, this promo was so good that some of our clients surpassed 2021’s sales and many of our clients were still packing BF orders for a week after the event ended…

So how did we do that? What I’m going to do in this episode is first share some insights about the overall strategy and what the results were, and then I’ll go through platform-specific insights and results. 

For the full show notes visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-152/

I see you Productpreneur. 

I see you limping towards the end of 2022, with a tired mind and a tired body. 

You know you desperately need a break but you also feel that you need to put in that big last burst of effort and see out 2022 with a bang. But with little left in the tank it’s impossible to figure out what to do, let alone how to do it.

Having been there and done that for many Decembers and guiding our clients and students through the same exhaustion, I’ve come up with a strategy for you to consider. To have a much needed break for yourself and your loved ones AND to round out 2022 with a profitable campaign.

Today I’m going to share with you:

• The importance of taking a break over the holiday period 
• How your creativity can and will return 
• Why you should consider a Boxing Day campaign
• And how to make that happen while you’re on that all important break!

2023 is going to need us to be refreshed, creative and energetic. So find out how to take that much needed break and be ready for the year ahead.

For the full show notes visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-151/

Today, on my 150th episode of The Productpreneur Success Podcast, I’m going to be talking about one of the most important key behaviour traits for success: 

• What it is, 
• How to develop it (because it is something that you can learn and become good at and it won’t cost you a dime), and 
• Why so many people suck at it.

Do you remember a time in your life, perhaps as a kid or a teenager, when you learned a big new skill? Something like mastering a musical instrument, or learning a sport like swimming or tennis or whatever you might have played, or learning how to drive. 

Or if you’re a parent, do you remember watching your kids learn big new skills like walking or talking or reading or writing or learning how to count numbers? 

There is one common element to all of those things. One behavioural trait that is the most important ingredient to the successful attainment of all of those very different skills. 

And yet, it’s the hardest skill for Entrepreneurs to actually develop and is the reason so many business owners get stuck.

What to find out what the most important key behaviour trait for success is?

For the full show notes visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-150/

Today’s podcast episode is going to be a little bit different to my usual. There’s not going to be any strategy or step-by-step training. There’s no inspiring guest. I don’t want to give you more information today, I want this to be more about offering support and encouragement.

Because I don't know about you, but there seems to be this collective exhaustion hanging in the air at the moment.

So I just want to check in - who of you is feeling a little deflated and exhausted at the moment?

I mean, it's fine to have perpetual optimism and enthusiasm for our businesses, but it’s pretty rare for all of us to operate like energizer bunnies all of the time.

Particularly given it has been such a big few years for most if not everyone I know, personally, professionally and globally.

I don’t want to distract you from your implementation right now. I’m just here today to share some pearls of wisdom that I’ve been gifted during my years as a business owner that have helped me to thrive and that I might be able to pass on to you too

For the full show notes visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-149/

To all our eCommerce brands out there in the middle of crazy holiday season - I see you!

You’ve just come out of Click Frenzy, are about to launch or are already in the middle of your Black Friday/Cyber Monday campaigns and then there’s still the traditional Christmas marketing period ahead.

It’s enough to make any sane business owner want to crawl up into a little ball under the Christmas Tree with the bottle of champagne you were meant to give your 11 year old’s school teacher and just wait it out until January!

BUT! For all the craziness of itl, it’s also the most profitable time for most product businesses so it’s essential that you feel prepared. 

So this episode is for all those who have got this far and might not have their final Christmas push ready to go. 

I suggest popping this on in the background as you pack all those Black Friday orders, or you manage to get out for a walk and just listen. Take a breath, listen, then take simple action steps on any of these 7 last-minute tips and you’ll be crashing your final campaign of the year (let’s not talk about Boxing Day just yet - although, these tips also apply!).

For the full show notes and link to the video visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-148/

Are you feeling uninspired and frustrated with creating content for your brand?

Are you overwhelmed about what you should be creating, and how often and where to publish it?

Waiting until you have the perfect idea and then how to implement that idea perfectly?

You’re certainly not alone! Creating engaging content for your brand to share on social media, your website, email and digital marketing is super important for your business but it can be incredibly overwhelming.

Which is why I’ve brought back one of my previous guests, Sharon Hunter. Sharon sold her successful product business and discovered just how much she loved that creating role and started a new service based business creating images and videos for product brands.

And today she has some great tips for all of us including:

• Ideas on where to find inspiration with your own content,
• Simple tips on how to get started including where and when,
• The importance of consistency,
• How to get over the inferiority complex and to stop comparing yourself to others,
• And so much more!

For the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-147

Today I get to talk about one of my favourite subjects, email marketing!

But it’s really a double hit combo of favourite subjects as I’m going to be talking about email marketing AND data… and for all those who may have been following my content for awhile you know that these two topics gets me more excited then my coffee machine!

In previous episodes I’ve talked about how email marketing helps you reach your audience and grow your brand but it can also significantly increase your profitability, specifically when you’re running paid ads.

Which sounds absolutely wonderful and amazing, and it really is. 

But what about just on its own: how profitable can your Klaviyo account be and how do you influence that and measure that?

We’re going to need to look at the data! 

Find the show notes and links mentioned in this episode at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-146/

Imagine building up a business from scratch to 7 figures over 12 years and then, in one day, to watch it all go under water - literally!

Today’s episode is the story of Kristy Rigby, owner of Boutique Brands and popular brand Babiators Australia.

Kristy has been on the podcast before, talking about the amazing journey of her business over the last 12 years and the incredible success that she has experienced. 

But today, Kristy is going to share her experiences of 2022 and the immense stress and pressure she has had to endure, both in business and in her personal life following the floods of February 2022.

Kristy shares her inspiring story and insights into how she’s moving forward, despite the major set backs.

This is the episode to listen to today to discover:

• The mindset behind building a 7 figure business
• What to focus on when you experience major set backs
• What becomes important during recovery and what to prioritise (hint… you!)
• How to make strategic decisions within your business when under pressure
• And so much more!

Hell no! But you need to read this...

Recently, I heard a number of eCommerce brand owners discussing the topic of giving up Facebook ads because they’d heard how hard it is to get a profitable ROI.

And you know what my answer to that is?

It depends! *what!?*

If you’re spending money on paid advertising but your website is not ready for traffic or optimised for selling then yes, your paid ads will be a waste of money.

If you’re using the wrong strategy with your Facebook ads and just using one campaign to try to reach as many people as possible with no clear message, then yes, your paid ads will be a waste of money.

But if you understand and have mastered a Facebook ad strategy specifically for your business and goals, if your website is primed and ready to convert traffic to sales and are complimenting your ads with other means of reaching out to your customers (emails!)… then Facebook advertising is going to be a prime source of traffic and sales for your business.

Facebook advertising is how many of my clients brands are seeing massive growth in their eCommerce websites from a handful of orders making pocket change each month, to very consistent, profitable monthly sales.

And today I’m going to share with you the exact strategies we’re using right now to create profitable sales each and every month… with Facebook ads!

For the full shownotes and links visit: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-144/

Today’s interview is with friend and client, Malou founder of Baby Loves Sleep. And like myself and so many of you, Malou was inspired to create her first product, a baby sleeping bag, because of a problem she experienced in her own life.

Her son was kinda the opposite of Malou’s brand name, because that baby did not like to sleep! 

But rather than continue to exist like a sleepless zombie, Malou decided to do something about it and created a sleep suit that was like a miracle cure.

And whilst giving parents and babies the gift of a good night’s sleep does sound like the kind of miracle cure that would become an instant hit, and whilst she has gone on to create a thriving business both here in Australia and internationally, it’s not like it was all smooth sailing along the way!

So today I welcome her to the show and we’re going to talk about the successes she’s enjoyed as well as some of the incredibly difficult hurdles she’s had to overcome on her journey.

She’s grown from a sleepless mumma to a brand sold around the world and I know you’ll be as inspired as I was.

Check out the full show notes and links at catherinelangman.com/episode-143

There’s an old saying that necessity is the mother of all invention, and in my experience, some of the coolest, most innovative products have been invented to solve specific problems and needs. 

I love the process of innovation, where you try and create a new solution that doesn’t exist yet. The creative thinking, problem solving, and brainstorming different solutions is super fun. 

But it’s a whole next level when it comes to making that thing a commercially viable product that you can profitably launch to market. 

Being able to manufacture something at a price point that customers will pay. The logistics of being able to ship your products and fulfil orders. What standards, if any, do you need to test for and comply with. 

My guest today is Regan Merka, inventor and founder of Burleigh Wagon, which is honestly one of the coolest products ever. The Burleigh Wagon is a wagon, it's a stroller, it's an esky cooler and it’s making family outings better than ever! 

Regan joins me on the show to share her journey of innovation and growth, from the seed of an idea to a brand that won a deal on Shark Tank and is now available both here in Australia and in the US! It’s a wild ride – you’re gonna love it.

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

Episode’s Show Notes: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-239/

Free Growth Strategy: https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk

https://burleighwagon.com.au/products/wagon

https://www.instagram.com/burleighwagon/

https://www.facebook.com/BurleighWagon/

https://www.tiktok.com/@burleighwagon

When was the last time you reviewed your product pages?

Like many business owners you most likely set up your theme and formatted the product page template, loaded up your products and voila! All your product pages were set up and ready to go and waiting for customers to add to cart.

You now spend most of your time creating and implementing strategies to get people to visit your website but are not noticing if people are actually buying from your product pages. And sales are literally slipping through your fingertips!

The product page is the most important page on your website and yes, you may have one product page or thousands, but each and every page is your number one salesperson and they need to be ready to actually convert your customers into sales!

In today’s episode I’m going to talk you through the 9 essential elements of a high converting product page, and show you examples as we go. 

So grab your pen and paper and let’s get you ready for a successful holiday season with product pages that sell.

Check out the full show notes including the translation and screenshots at catherinelangman.com/episode-142

As with most things in life we all have a choice to focus on the negative or the positive in any situation.

Yes, we could focus on the negatives of rising inflation and reduced consumer spending right now OR we could focus on the positives of ecommerce growth and take actions to ensure we’re part of that upwards trend and getting those sales.

Growth? What growth Cath, I hear you ask!

Let’s talk facts. Despite the gloomy talk of sales right now the actual fact of the matter is that Australia’s online shopping industry is now worth over $47 billion dollars.

That’s a growth of 8.9% in 2022. 

And that’s a lot of dollars being spent online that I reckon your business should be getting a cut of!

So in today’s episode, let’s look at some of the strategies that big brands are using right now to get their slice of the $47 billion ecommerce pie. And which you can use too!

So no matter what the sales environment feels like right now, let’s get inspired and take action to be one of the online stores bucking the trend right now. 

Visit the full show notes and links at catherinelangman.com/episode-141

Today on the show I’m joined by Tanya Boots from Inspirational Tea Co, a brand with purpose, designed to uplift and inspire and share love and kindness in the world. 

But whilst building her business, Tanya has also been on a journey of finding balance and sustainability in the way she runs her business, so she can stay the course over the long term. 

In our conversation today, she shares some of the challenges she’s faced and the lessons she’s learned the hard way that have ultimately helped her become more focused on what is most important in her business and her life.

With such a clear vision of what she wants from life and business, the overwhelm drops away as she is able to take action on only what will support that lifestyle and her values.

And in turn, she now operates a much more sustainable business - both financially and in the way she works personally so she can maintain her energy and passion for her personal life and her business.

And who wouldn’t want to operate like that? 

https://catherinelangman.com/episode-140

Let me ask you a question.

Have you ever experienced a situation where your ads are just not attracting or engaging your audience and you’ve watched your cost per click and conversions go through the roof but despair at the free falling results? 

And the same with your marketing emails - are they not getting great open rates or generating much in the way of revenue?

If so, you’re not alone!

It’s a very common scenario and one of the biggest frustrations we see among brand owners. But more often than not, it occurs when the marketing strategies do not reflect their customer’s needs.

So how do we fix this?

I’m sure you’ve all had it drilled into you that you must know and understand your customer avatar. But on today’s episode I’m going to go past your ideal customer and show you how to dig deep into your customers buyer journey.

Understanding the buyer journey allows you to engage with your customer on a whole different level and the brands who maximise these strategies are the ones winning right now 

So let’s get you on that journey!

The full show notes can be found at catherinelangman.com/episode-139

Hands up if you’ve ever heard the phrase “Content is King” when it comes to marketing your brand? 

Now, obviously having great content is what makes or breaks your brand’s marketing and advertising.

But if you’re anything like me and many of my clients - you’re probably feeling like content creation has become like the beast that needs constant feeding. 

We are all operating a content machine these days - and it can be super tempting to just whack up some images and captions ‘because you have to’ but without putting a whole lot of thought or planning into what you’re sharing.

So today on the show I’m going to help make this a little bit easier for you. I’m joined by a guest Lauren Schwartz whose entire business is about creating content for ecommerce brands that is engaging and persuasive and helps to sell your products, but without necessarily being super salesy or pushy. 

She’ll also be talking through the latest trends and how to think differently when creating for TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. 

View the video and full show notes over at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-138

Remember the days when marketing your eCommerce business meant finding out where your audience hung out online and then putting up some Facebook ads to target those very specific audiences?

Or being able to follow your customer around the internet and place ads in front of them wherever they go?

Kinda creepy for the customer but a very easy and cost-effective marketing strategy for brand owners. 

But now with over 83% of Apple users no longer allowing their internet behaviour to be tracked (yes, over 83%!)  that strategy is just going to drain your cash.

And with each platform fighting to contribute the sale to THEIR metrics, how do we even know which marketing strategy is even working anymore?

“A single touch point brand does not exist anymore”

Personally, I think these changes are a great step forward for both the consumer and the brand owner. But it means we need to change how we think about online marketing and be on top of what is now really important - content and multichannel marketing.

In today’s episode I’m going to be talking through what is and isn’t working right now when it comes to marketing in a cookieless world including:

• Why single channel marketing no longer works
• What metrics you should be collecting and how to measure it
• What marketing strategies are working right now and
• The importance of collecting zero-party data

View the full show notes and links at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-137/

Lately we’ve been talking about what brand owners need to be doing now to prepare themselves for the bumper holiday season that is fast approaching.

And one of the priorities that I encourage everyone to be focusing on is to make sure their website is fresh and user friendly and really ready for traffic and conversions.

Now, if you’re on Shopify you would have seen all the fuss about their upgrade to Shopify 2.0 which happened around 12 months ago. 

In this episode I’ve got my Narelle, super star Shopify developer on board, to talk us through the details around this significant upgrade but also why you should be upgrading your website to 2.0 NOW and not just before the holiday season.

We’ll also talk about what you’ll need to be aware of when upgrading your site and what to be looking at when refreshing your website.

Discover the full show notes and links at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-136

The last few years have seen some significant changes in how brands operate their business and one change that I personally welcome with open arms is seeing the increase in brands that are driven by a strong purpose. 

Whether that’s aligning themselves with solving world hunger, fighting against pollution and climate change or improving their local community, brands are embracing their own values and building a business around making a difference. 

"The brands that will thrive in the coming years are the ones that have a purpose beyond profit." Richard Branson

And it makes sense.

Consumers themselves are seeking out brands that align with their social, political, moral and environmental values. They’re moving away from pure consumerism and using their purchases to make a vote for the change they want to see in the world.

And brands are stepping into that. They’re bringing those same values to the forefront of their messaging and connecting with their customers in a way that’s more than just making a profit. Which in turn… increases brand awareness, customer traffic and sales.

So what IS a Business With Purpose and how can you align your brand with not only what is important to you but also to your customers, in a way that actually makes a difference? 

Visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-135 for the full show notes, links and video.

The journey of being a business owner AND a mum is a very special and unique experience.

Adding the many challenges of being a mother to the constant day to day challenges of owning a business and you’ve got the perfect mix of overwhelm and frustration. And more often than not, it can be a very lonely journey.

I know I certainly discovered this to be true when I started my first business during maternity leave with two babies. But thankfully, 12 years ago I became involved with the AusMumpreneur community which opened up a vast network of other mum business owners, all experiencing the exact same issues.

Committed to providing a network of mum business owners, the Ausmumpreneur Conference and Awards were delivered to acknowledge the challenges we face and to allow for connection for sharing knowledge, collaborations, support and lifelong friendships.

Today I get to interview my friend Peace Mitchell, one of the founders of AusMumpreneur and we talk about:

• The importance of a network and community for mums running a business
• The unique challenges that mums do face when running a business and often not being taken seriously enough
• The value of celebrating achievements within our community and why women tend to avoid putting their hands up for recognition
• What the benefits are for business owners in entering for awards and how to maximise the experience.
• How to make the most of attending a conference 
• Why like minded conferences can transform your mindset from ‘at home mum business’ to a multi-million dollar business owner

Discover the full shownotes and links at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-134/

Hands up who of you feel like they’re not progressing when it comes to growing your business or generating sales in your online store? 

Or maybe this year some of you have seen month-to-month that sales plateau or even go backwards at times? 

To be honest, that’s very normal - we all have ups and downs in our sales cycle, and there are also always going to be external factors that we can’t control that also influence our results. 

If you’re not experiencing the results you want, should you just accept it? 

No! And dwelling on ‘when are the sales going to come’ without any real action can really play on your mindset which can contribute even more to these downturns.

I personally like to use these sort of ‘stale’ periods to get creative. Not only in terms of ideas for marketing but also to use low cost strategies that will have a great return on my effort.

So today I’m going to share 7 low cost marketing strategies that you can implement today to not only get you out of a ‘what to do’ rut but also…bring in more sales!

View all the links mentioned and the full show notes over at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-133/

Many eCommerce brands make almost as much money in the 4th quarter of the year – October to December – than they do the rest of the year. And by results, I mean – this is the time of year that many brands make most of their profits for the year.

Why? 

Two reasons:

1. These brands have excelled at their marketing all year around, so they’ve built brand awareness, built the size of their warm audiences, and acquired new customers all year around.
   
   

2. Consumers are preparing to spend more during Q4. So, given the market demand is there at that time of year, you need to make sure your marketing is spot on so that you can be the go-to brand for your customers to spend with!

To really maximise your results in Q4, though, you need to do more than just throw up a Black Friday sale. 

The fact is, you need to be marketing consistently to attract and warm up your audiences, so they’re absolutely champing at the bit to get their hands on your stuff when it goes on sale, and then monetising as many peak buying times as possible.

Today on the show, we’re going to dive specifically into the Black Friday promo strategy, because this is where you stand to generate the biggest boost to your revenue and profit.

Episode’s Show Notes: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-238/

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

Free Growth Strategy: https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk

Email Template: catherinelangman.com/email-template

Want to be making the most of holiday season sales this year? Then you need to get started now!

This year, in 2022, eCommerce retail sales globally are predicted to hit over $5.5 trillion, with some businesses looking to make up to 75% of their sales in the 4th quarter of the year. 

It’s also interesting to note that the majority of shoppers - 42% - are now both researching and buying online during the holiday season as opposed to in-store, versus about 20% of shoppers buying online on average over the whole year. 

So to say that the holiday season is prime time for all of us to boost sales is a major understatement.

But it would also be a mistake to think that you can start planning your holiday marketing around September or October. Or even later than that if you’re like many businesses I’ve observed over the years!

To really make the most of your marketing in Q4 this year, and enjoy the best revenue growth results possible, you need to be planning now. In July. 

In this episode I share 10 things you need to be thinking about NOW to maximise your holiday sales in 2022, plus an awesome deal to help you get your plans rolling.

Show notes available at: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-132/

Have you ever felt that you just need that one piece of information or one skill that once mastered, will be the one thing that will transform your business into success?

Or by having that one thing, that your business journey will no longer be a struggle and all future challenges be a breeze?

Well today, I think we’ve found that one thing! And it’s probably not what you would expect!

Dee Stearman from Roar Success joins me on the podcast today and having faced many challenges over the years throughout her multiple businesses, Dee shares her one major business lesson.

Yes, even through the really big major failures. Even through the most stressful and challenging times. Because that is where the learning and growth comes from. And where business can be recreated and reimagined to create something amazing.

Master this and you’ll be resilient enough to keep going where others might stop, and to even enjoy the process along the way!

In today’s episode Dee and I cover:

• The importance of never ‘being done’ and how to learn to love reinventing the wheel
• Why failures in business are so important
• How to not feel so isolated and alone in business and why it’s essential to be part of a like minded network
• Dee’s advice for getting out there and attending expos and trade fairs
• How to be confident throughout your business journey.

We also cover the exciting Roar Awards that are happening this year - applications close 31 July 2022!

See the full show notes and links at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-131/

Today’s interview is a must listen.

Julie Mathers created Flora & Fauna, an online retail store selling all natural products, back in 2014 and along with her husband and team, grew it into a $15 million B-Corp certified business and a household name before selling it in 2021.

Julie very generously shares not only her personal drivers of what it takes to even dream up something this big, but she also shares some of the key factors that drove the success of this remarkable business.

What I love about this interview is the experience that Julie shares about what it really means to have a business with purpose and how to implement and communicate your key values in everything your brand does. And how this can be your brand’s biggest asset.

For the full show notes visit https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-130

This week we’re looking into the strategies of a super successful big eCommerce brand, True Protein. 

If you found your EOFY promotion not quite as successful as you hoped or you’re starting to plan for the next 6 months then I think you’re going to pick up some great ideas to implement from this episode.

I’m going to be sharing my screen and reviewing their overall business strategy, what they implemented on their website, their emails and their advertising and talk you through why these work and how you can make them happen in your next promo.

There is nothing that these big brands are doing that you can’t adopt in your business!

Listen now to discover 5 Strategies of a Super Successful Promotion and get them happening in your business today.

See the full show notes including the transcript and screenshots at catherinelangman.com/episode-129

In today’s interview we’re talking to Clare Spelta from Bon Maxie who very generously shares her amazing business journey.

There are not many businesses that can manage to scale a multi-million dollar business from one handmade product which is why I’m so super impressed with the journey that Clare has taken in her business.

With every business, I really believe it is the mindset of the business owner that determines how big a brand can go and Bon Maxie is certainly an example of this. 

Today Clare shares some amazing insights into her own journey that I believe many of my listeners can adapt to scale their business:

• The origin story of Bon Maxie and the clear defining mission she has for her brand
• How she overcome the challenges of going from one customised and handmade product to manufacturing for growth
• What strategies she’s employed to scale her business and where she priorities her time and skills
• The importance of the customer community for the Bon Maxie brand
• How she and her husband manage running a business and a family together.

For the full show notes visit our podcast page at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-128/

When it comes to paid advertising we are all aware of social media advertising on Facebook and Instagram. However, no business owner wants to put all their dollars into one platform basket so it’s always a good idea to cover a range of bases.

Enter… Google Advertising!

Google Advertising is certainly not new by any means however I find it severely underutilised by brands, particularly when it can become such a powerful tool in your marketing tool box. 

So this week I’ve asked Haley, my super talented Google ad expert from our agency team, to join us and we’re going to dive into the ins and outs of how to succeed with paid Google advertising.

Visit the full show notes at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-127/

If you’re an eCommerce brand owner looking to either sell your business one day or want to scale so that you can spend less time in your business, then today’s episode is for you.

For so many brand owners, the prospect of either selling or scaling seems completely out of reach. You find yourself spending each and every day doing absolutely everything within your business that it just doesn’t seem plausible that one day you could step away.

So today I’m going to share with you what 3 strategies you need to have in place NOW in your business in order to scale and grow sustainably. Both financially viable and profitable but also in terms of your own physical exertion so you don’t burn yourself out.

Plus it’ll set your business up for a nice sale price as well! 

See the full show nots and links at https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-126/

If you’ve ever struggled with trying to push through when step you take is not working, or that you feel like you keep hitting a brick wall, then this episode is for you.

Today I have a hilarious conversation with Emma Lovell from CoziGo, an innovative plane bassinet and stroller cover, about how she managed to keep going not only through those early difficult years (hello manufacturing demons!) but also through her most challenging period, when travel dramatically stopped. 

Despite losing her market overnight, Emma has pulled through and relaunched and is now growing again at a rapid rate. 

Having the tenacity and the energy and the confidence to keep going through all this is a truly remarkable story that I can’t wait to share with you.

https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-125/

As we rapidly approach the end of the financial year, you may be considering running a clearance or flash sale (the good old EOFYS!).

EOFYS can be a great tool to reduce stock (especially before the dreaded stocktake) and to increase sales.

This year, with the increased cost of living and the increased cost of advertising during a peak period it may have you tossing up whether to go ahead with a sale or not.

However, with consumers pulling their belts in a bit on spending, I think our customers will actually be waiting for the sales this year, to get increased value and more bang for their buck.  

So if you’ve been weathering a period of low sales revenue, I would encourage you to run a sale at this time of year.

But, it needs to be done strategically, and aligned with your brand and own goals. No slapping together a random fire sale over here thank you!

In todays’ episode I’ll talk you through the pros and cons of running a End of Financial Year Sale plus my top 4 tips on how to make it your most successful yet!

See the full show notes and links, including a transcript of this episode here.

Recently I’ve been speaking with a few eCommerce brand owners about how tough they’re finding it to generate traffic and sales consistently right now. 

Between the drop in consumer confidence during the lead up to the federal election we’ve finally just had, the increase in our cost of living, a school holidays with two long weekends in a row, seeing sales lower than usual has been a bit of a common experience.

But what is also happening is - business owners adopting the mindset that customers just aren’t spending at all and that the only way to get through is to deep discount and cut all spending to ride things out as lean as possible. 

So what to do instead?

We typically had to be creative and strategic with our marketing. To engage and communicate with our customers so that when it comes to making a purchase, we’re the brand that is top of mind.

And that’s the mindset we need to get back into! 

Doing the kind of marketing that really gives customers a reason to buy. 

So if you’re ready to readjust and create the type of marketing that will propel your business forward while other businesses continue to panic then this episode is for you. 

https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-123/

Many of you would know and love the baby and kids brand Snuggle Hunny. It’s such a beautiful brand, aesthetically, in the quality of the products, as well as the brand’s values, which are very much about sustainability and community.

Well, today I have a real treat for you as I’m joined on the show by Julie Mathers, CEO of Snuggle Hunny!

Some of you may remember Julie as the founder of Flora and Fauna, an online retailer of all things eco. Since selling that business 2.5 years ago and then acquiring Snuggle Hunny, Julie has accomplished a LOT, from a brand and website refresh, new product development, becoming GOTs certified, expanding overseas, and so much more!

Nothing is ever smooth sailing – it’s been a wild ride for Julie over the last few years as an entrepreneur – but she very generously shares the details about all those ups and downs and what’s working to help grow the brand.

I know you’re going to love this conversation! So without further ado, let’s welcome Julie to the show.

Episode’s Show Notes: https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-237/

Do you ever feel that you’re marketing out into a big black void?

Sending out social media posts and emails but not knowing what to say and certainly not knowing if your customers are even resonating with what you’re saying?

Feeling like you really just want to know what your customer ACTUALLY needs and wants?

Well today I’m going to dig into one thing you CAN do, one strategy you can employ this week, to help you to gain the insights you need. 

Plus we’ll talk about how you can then create strategies around that information to not only increase traffic but also repeat customers and sales. Which means more profit!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, there’s no secret right now that Australia is heading into a more challenging economic climate than we’ve experienced in some time.

And we’re all probably feeling it one way or another, sales don’t seem to be as easy as they were during the ecommerce boom of the past two years.

And with all of this happening, and with all of your business and personal costs increasing, I know there is a lot of fear around what might happen next. Many of you are fearful of how you’ll manage to survive in business in this sort of climate.

You might be tempted to think there isn’t much you CAN do to changed your circumstances in the conditions we’re in right now. But even though there are many things you can’t control there are many things you do have control over. Starting with how you choose to respond to this situation. And remember, some of the most iconic brands today started during the last recession!

“...a recession can actually be a great time to start or grow your own business!”

So I wanted to create an episode for you to give you some strategies and ideas to manage your business and hopefully thrive even as the economy may struggle in the coming months.

If you’re looking for a data-driven strategy to engage deeply with your customers while increasing conversion rates and average order values - then this episode is for you!

Today on the podcast I am talking to Gen Furukawa, founder of Prehook, a quiz tool designed specifically for Shopify.

With all the changes over the last two years - both with increased competition and changes to how data is tracked and used by our advertising platforms - it’s more important than ever to find ways to engage with our customers and discover what they truly need while also standing out from our competition. 

Gen talks us through these challenges and shares with us:

• The importance of zero party data - the information that our customers are willing to share with us and how we can use it to provide personalised messaging that our customers will love
• Case studies of how we can use quizzes to provide product recommendations
• Why quizzes can drive sales, even after our customers have left our website
• And so much more! 

Shopify, quizzes and Klaviyo are my favourite ecommerce subjects so I can’t wait for you to dive into this episode!

Today on the show we’re going to try and answer a question we see being asked ALL the time:

And that is - should you add Buy Now Pay Later payment options to your online store? 

Are the high transactional fees worth it?

Will adding Afterpay or Buy Now Pay Later options increase my sales?

I’m going to dig in and talk about the pros and cons of adding Buy Now Pay Later and strategies you can use to make the most of these services.

Today on the show we’re going to talk about what’s working right now with Facebook ads - specifically when it comes to advertising your brand or eCommerce store.

If there’s one constant we know about advertising our stores, it’s that there is always change. 

Change to the platforms, changes to the algorithms, changes to how our stores connect to the platforms, and on and on and on. It can be pretty overwhelming right?

But I’ve discovered, that with each advertising change, rather than lie on the floor crying “WHY?!”... we must ask,  “How?”.

• How are ads changing and what on earth works NOW?
• How does this impact my business specifically and what should I do next?
• How will I adapt?

And as literally everyone advertising on the platform has been impacted by all these changes, I know many of you are keen to rediscover how to run ads successfully again in this new environment.

Which is why I’ve got 5 strategies for you to use in your advertising campaigns that are working right now (and keep an eye out for a sneaky number 6).

How are you feeling right now?

If you’re, like me, a Mum and a business owner, then I have a good idea of how you’re feeling…

On top of the last two years of a pandemic I’m seeing people struggling with business operations such as supply chain issues, fulfillment delays, price increases across the board… And that’s on top of wearing ALL the hats in our business and as the boss, wearing the stress of ‘will this work’. 

I’ll bet you often feel stressed out. Totally overwhelmed by your to-do list and the million different demands on your time. “Make time for yourself,” they say. Pfft. As if!

And “tired” doesn’t even begin to poke a stick at how exhausted you are. All. The. Time.

But as a business owner for over 15 years, this is certainly not the first time I’ve felt this way. In fact, I’ve come to a point in my business life where I’ve learned a thing or two on how to manage the feelings of overwhelm and how to focus my mind on what is really important.

In this episode I will share with you the number one reason I see time and again for the cause of stress and fatigue being experienced right now.

I will also share my personal top 5 tips to minimise the feeling of overwhelm and stress and to find a way to a more calm, more productive and more accepting life as a business owner. 

Discounts and incentives. Some businesses love them -  we all know the brands that seem to be constantly on sale (looking at you ‘closing down’ rug store!). 

And some businesses hate discounts and will rarely offer them for the fear of training their audience to expect constant sales or lowering the perceived value of their business. 

But this is where I want to talk to you today to dispel some of the myths around discounting and to show you how you can offer your customers real value while building your brand awareness at the same time. And of course, increase your sales!

In this episode I will share with you:

• Why it’s important to incorporate offers into your marketing campaigns
• How to differentiate your offers from ‘discounts’ and provide real value
• When to offer incentives and the importance of targeted offers
• The different types of incentives you can use in your business
• My top tips for success for any incentive campaign

I’m super excited to bring you today’s episode, which is essentially all about what you can be doing in your business right now so that you can not just survive, but thrive, no matter what crazy things are going on in the world right now. 

Spending money on marketing and investing in growth for your business is pretty easy when times are good and we’re riding the economic gravy train. 

But what happens when it feels like the world is closing in and people are looking at how to cut costs or are focused on other devastating events?

Today I’ll share with you what I’m seeing business owners doing right now and how you can be smart when reviewing your goals and knowing what to do so your business can thrive and not shrink during these difficult times. 

We’ll discuss:

The two distinct trends we’re noticing with businesses right now when it comes to marketing and spending

Three actions NOT to do during these times

How to consider what business tactics will work best for your brand

What strategies you can implement right now to boost sales and keep your brand relevant and front of mind.

Today on the show, I’m joined by Michelle Smith, founder of Curated with Conscience, which is a beautiful gift hamper business that exists to have a positive impact on the environment and sustainability.

Michelle’s business has grown quite rapidly over the last couple of years in particular, and whilst it’s easy to think that more revenue fixes all problems, that’s not the case at all. Fast growth brings with it a whole set of challenges, and what I love about this conversation with Michelle is that she doesn’t shy away from sharing those challenges and how she’s moving past them.

I also love how Michelle has grown this business while still sticking to her values and keeping her social impact goal front and centre. 

Consumers and corporations are much more intentional about how and where they spend their money and want to spend in a way that drives positive change in the world and on the environment.

So as small business owners, we definitely do not need to compromise on those beliefs in order to grow a significant or profitable business.

I’m really excited for Michelle to share her story and to impart some of her experience and wisdom learned through her experience to date, and I think you’re gonna love this conversation!

A couple of weeks ago, we shared the first in a two-episode series on SEO - search engine optimisation, and I was joined by Karen who is one of the experts from my team.

In that episode, we talked through the initial foundational steps we should be taking when it comes to optimising our websites for Google.

And all of those tweaks and changes to your website can be very effective to start increasing the volume of free organic search traffic you receive.

But, there is more that you can do on an ongoing basis. And in fact, to get the best long-term results for your business, you do want to have an ongoing strategy for SEO. 

Google loves to see old content refreshed as well as new content published. But we want to approach this in a strategic way so that (A) you can manage your time and not feel overwhelmed by the task, and (B), get the best return on effort. 

So on today’s episode, Karen joins me again for part 2 on SEO for eCommerce and today we’re going to focus on what business owners need to be looking at when creating their SEO strategy this year and planning your SEO content for 2022.

Listen today and start creating your 12 month plan to increase your organic traffic with strategic SEO - and grab your free SEO template! 

https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-113/

Did you know – if you offer a 10% discount, you literally need to sell 25% MORE to make the SAME profit?

Right now, I’m seeing a LOT of brands sending out constant discounts.

Some who are sending big discounts on brand new products they haven't even launched yet! And up to 80% off for end of season sales!

These brands are NOT making money. 

And by continuing to discount constantly like that, they are only digging themselves deeper and deeper into that hole.

The reality is, consumers are more concerned about VALUE rather than DISCOUNTS.

So in part 2 of this series, I want to share my insights and most effective strategies for doing just that, so that you can generate the best, most profitable results from your email marketing efforts.

Show Notes: 🎙️ https://www.catherinelangman.com/episode-236-pt-2/

Links mentioned in this episode:

If you’d like help to achieve your goals in 2024 I invite you to have a chat to find out how we can make that happen together.

https://www.catherinelangman.com/email-template

Free Growth Strategy: https://productpreneurmarketing.com/lets-talk 

Today on the show, we’re going to be talking about branding and why it is so important for the success of your business to get this piece of the puzzle right.

It doesn’t matter whether you are an e-commerce retailer or selling in physical stores, your brand is going to be the first impression a potential customer forms when they interact with you for the first time and every time thereafter.

I am joined by branding experts from The Luxe Co, Tina and Britta and they have a great example of how customers react to brands. 

You either want to be your shoppers' good reliable friend, someone they know and can rely on for being consistent… or you’re going to be the friend who they want to get away from as soon as they can because you’re someone different every day!

Branding is the personality of your business and it’s so important to get right from the start. And to use that personality to build strong, valuable relationships with your audience. To be the memorable brand people go to time and time again.

Listen as we discuss the importance of branding in your business and the process from initially developing your brand strategy, and how to execute through your brand visuals, your copy and marketing, and everything else in between. 

Have you ever been stuck at a party talking to the most boring person in the room?

And by boring I mean they either don’t talk at all OR all they do is talk about themselves! Equally bad right?

But what if it’s a business that is boring? 

And trust me, there are plenty! If you came across a business whose messaging was either super bland or talking only about themselves… I’m pretty sure you’d be doing the equivalent of looking for the nearest exit AKA searching for the X close button!

In today’s episode I’m going to talk you through strategies on how NOT to be boring and to instead thrill your customers so that they actually want to STAY and talk with (buy from) you! 

Getting website traffic and sales in your online store can be tough. 

I remember when I launched my first business years ago, trying to work out how to crack the mystery that was Google. And initially having that knee jerk reaction of ‘oh this search engine optimisation thing is too techy and difficult and I’ll never understand it so I’m gonna pay someone else to do it’. 

And unfortunately having a pretty bad experience with someone sending a bunch of junk traffic to my site. Which is not ideal at all!

So how do you get your website to the top of the organic search ranks and win all the clicks?

That’s what we’re going to talk about today, and to help me with this discussion I’m welcoming one of my fabulous team members onto the show. Karen’s job is to help clients of our agency to start ranking for their top keyword search terms, and increasing the volume of free organic search traffic coming to their website.

So if you want to pick up some easy-to-implement SEO tactics and steps specific for eCommerce so you can improve your search rankings AND your website traffic and sales, then you’ll want to listen to this episode.