The Smart Marketer Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

"We knew we wanted the best information out there in the space, that's a given, but we wanted this to feel like a family atmosphere." - Molly Pittman

In this episode, Molly and Zach Dampier take you behind the scenes of Smart Marketer Live 2025 from packed roundtables and unforgettable presentations to Denver bowling nights and real-life connections that made it all magic. Whether you were there or tuning in from afar, this recap captures the insight, energy, and community that made Smart Marketer Live 2025 unforgettable.

• Why Smart Marketer Live is unlike any other marketing event
• How the roundtable sessions created powerful business breakthroughs
• The smartest way to gather testimonials and social proof
• What Molly learned from Meta and TikTok Shop insiders
• The secret to running high-impact content collection on-site
• Why this event is a must-attend for remote marketers and entrepreneurs

• Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com
• Mentor Table Mastermind – https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table
• Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com
• Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue – https://www.instagram.com/fieldsoffreedomrescue
• Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend
• Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months
• YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT

00:00 – Welcome and What to Expect
03:55 – Behind the Scenes: Content Creation, Testimonials, and Team Wins
07:08 – Why Live Events Still Matter (and What Made This One Special)
08:41 – Session Highlights: TikTok Shop, Meta Ads, Tactical Baby Gear
09:45 – Roundtable Strategy and Why It Was a Game-Changer
11:00 – Real Talk at the Social Media Table: Misconceptions and Wins
13:46 – The Vibe: Parties, Friendships, and Unexpected Connections
18:50 – What's Next: Tickets for 2026 and Speaker Interviews Coming Soon
20:30 – What's Next: Interviews With Speakers from SML25

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to:

✅ Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts: Click Here
📲 Share this episode on social and tag us using #WeOutHere
💌 Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. 🎉

(with John Grimshaw, CMO of Smart Marketer)

"Email isn't dead, it's your fastest path to real profit this Q4."
In this episode, John Grimshaw lays out the exact email strategies Smart Marketer is using to maximize results during the busiest time of the year. Learn how to supercharge your automations, craft high-converting messages, and prep your brand for holiday success without spending weeks rewriting flows.

You'll also hear about a game-changing new feature in ChatGPT that's set to shake up eCommerce as we know it: instant checkout. Plus, John shares the highest-performing email format Smart Marketer is using right now (spoiler: it's plain-text and insanely effective).

This is your 60-minute checklist for higher conversions, better inboxing, and more sales fast.

• Why email automation is 25x more profitable than broadcasts (and most brands neglect it)

• How to update your top 3 flows in under an hour: Welcome, Cart Abandon, Product Abandon

• The new "Instant Checkout" inside ChatGPT and why you must optimize for it

• The single email style outperforming all others: the Founder Email

• How to bundle products for better margins and ChatGPT discoverability

• Why design-heavy emails can hurt your deliverability, and what to do instead

• Omnisend (Email & SMS Platform) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend
  Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months

• Free Prompt: Plain-Text Founder Email
  See below for the full prompt shared in the episode

• Smart Marketer Blog & Resources – smartmarketer.com/blog

• Smart Marketer YouTube – Andromeda Update Video – Watch here

• Support & Feedback – support@smartmarketer.com

00:00 – Intro: What's in this episode
01:54 – "Profit leaks" in your Q4 email strategy
03:25 – Email is not dead: It's more powerful than ever
06:06 – Email = telling your best friends what to do
08:14 – Automation is 25x more profitable (and ignored)
09:13 – Where to focus first in your flows
10:38 – This Just In: Instant checkout now inside ChatGPT
13:00 – ChatGPT's impact on eCom gifting & bundles
15:43 – Optimize product feeds + create AI-friendly bundles
20:17 – Your 60-minute action plan: 3 automation updates
22:40 – Flow #1: Welcome – what to fix fast
25:48 – Flow #2: Cart Abandon – how to speed it up
28:24 – Flow #3: Product Abandon – recommendations that convert
30:01 – The "one page" traffic strategy for BFCM
32:02 – Why Smart Marketer switched to Omnisend
34:12 – The power of plain-text: Founder Email breakdown
36:35 – Real campaign results from Founder Emails
38:51 – Best practices: subject, tone, structure, CTA
39:39 – The ChatGPT Founder Email Prompt (full version)
42:00 – Why hybrid email design (text + visuals) wins
43:33 – Real brand case study: doubling email revenue
45:16 – Optimize for inboxing: deliverability > design
46:03 – Full checklist: what to do in the next 60 minutes
47:32 – Closing thoughts & CTA to share the show

Plain-Text Founder Email Prompt
Write a plain-text "Founder Email" for my brand during Q4.
Make it sound personal, human, and conversational, like a message from the founder to a loyal customer.
Keep it under 200 words, with one clear CTA and no images or fancy design.

Include:

1. A warm opening (gratitude, reflection, or behind-the-scenes note).

2. A short story or insight that builds connection.

3. A simple offer or bonus (e.g., stackable discount or early access).

4. A friendly close with light urgency ("ends soon" / "thank you for supporting us").

Tone:
Authentic, human, and direct — like a Gmail message from a friend.

Goal:
Drive clicks through trust and relatability, not polish or visuals.

Output Format:
• Subject: [5–7 words, personal & curious]
• From: [Founder Name at Brand]
• Body:

Ask me any questions to help make the results stronger.

Enjoyed this episode? Do us a favor:

• Follow & Subscribe to The Smart Marketer Show on your favorite podcast platform.

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts

• Share this episode on social and tag us @smartmarketer using #WeOutHere

• Send your founder email draft to support@smartmarketer.com for feedback

🚀 Email isn't dead, it just needs your attention. Take 60 minutes, follow the plan, and set yourself up for the best Q4 yet.

Your emails might look great, but are they even landing in inboxes?

In this Mentor Table Email Office Hours session, you'll sit in on a real-time troubleshooting call with Heather and Matt from the Smart Marketer email team as they help a founder navigate a frustrating deliverability issue. If you're sending emails and seeing sudden dips in opens, strange bounce patterns, or deliverability issues with major inbox providers then this is for you.

"It's difficult to diagnose any one thing. A lot of it is just making sure you're tightening up sending practices." – Matt

You'll hear common mistakes, how to fix them, and advanced tips to keep your list healthy and compliant so you can keep driving sales.

• How to identify and troubleshoot bounce-related email issues

• The DNS records you must have configured (SPF, DKIM, DMARC—and how to check them)

• What a branded sending domain is and why it's now required by major email providers

• How to use tools like Litmus, MX Toolbox, and Sender Score to test and monitor

• Why exclusion segments and list hygiene matter more than ever

• When to consider switching to a dedicated IP address and how to know if you're ready

• Smart Marketer Mentor Table

• Omnisend for Email & SMS (Use code SMART for 50% off 3 months)

• Litmus Email Testing Tool

• MX Toolbox – DNS & Blacklist Lookup

• EasyDMARC – Email Security Platform

• Sender Score – Email Reputation Check

00:00 – Intro: Mentor Table Email Office Hours
01:12 – Ezra's Omnisend Recommendation
02:16 – The Deliverability Problem: Rising Bounces and Email Errors
04:50 – Policy-Related Bounce Messages Explained
07:15 – Tools to Test Inbox Appearance & Placement (Litmus)
08:53 – How to Check DNS Setup (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
13:01 – Using Zoho & Klaviyo Separately for Deliverability
15:01 – Exclusion Segments & List Hygiene Tactics
16:06 – Should You Move to a Dedicated IP?
18:35 – Diagnosing Blacklists & Using Lookup Tools
22:04 – Sender Score, EasyDMARC, and MX Toolbox
25:08 – Final Thoughts & Action Plan for Inbox Recovery

Enjoyed this episode? We'd love your support.

• Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts: Click Here

• Share the episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere

• Feedback or questions? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

This episode gives us access to Ezra Firestone's Blue Ribbon E-Commerce Mastermind. Whether you're already a Founder/Entrepreneur or want to launch your own business one day, there are takeaways, tips, and fun tidbits in this conversation between two heavy-hitters that have recently sold large portions of their boot-strapped businesses.

You'll hear Ezra's chat with Kindred Bravely Founder Garret Akerson as they share their exit stories, reasoning, and what life is like 'on the other side.' 

Also, learn why Garret Aversion thinks you should never start a business without an Exit plan and why Ezra advises you 'get out' when your business is at around 70% of its potential.

"Entrepreneurship is a personal development game, right? Cause you are always the limiting factor no matter what". Garret Akerson

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS!

Thank you to our listeners for all the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages you've sent this year - the Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that.

It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links:

Garret Akerson on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/garretakerson/

Ezra Firestone on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezrafirestone/

The Blue Ribbon Commerce Mastermind, https://smartmarketer.com/mastermind/

Smart Marketer Courses https://smartmarketer.com/courses/

Ep. 144, The MIT Framework For Daily Media Buying Decisions

If you spend any time in Ads Manager, this episode is for you. The CEO of the Smart Marketer Agency (Pepijn Hufen) is back on the show to share the framework he and his team use for their high-level clients. By the end of this episode, you will feel more confident when drawing conclusions and less daunted by the data. You'll learn the best metric for determining business health, how to handle Ads that have been running for less than 72 hours, and more!

"If you are a media buyer, you cannot look at Ads in a silo. You cannot look at Ads in isolation from the whole business. If you are an agency, you are responsible for understanding what is happening in your client's overall business." Pepijn Hufen

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS 

Thank you to our listeners for the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages! This Podcast has exceeded what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that. It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode on your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links

Pepijn Hufen, on Twitter, https://twitter.com/PepHufen on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/pep_hufen/?hl=en

More Episodes, https://smartmarketer.com/blog/?cat=podcasts.

The Smart Marketer Agency, https://smartmarketer.com/agency/

How do you make email marketing work for you? Whether you're using chat GPT or not, these 8 principles have not changed!

"If you hold these eight laws in your mind, you are going to be better at email marketing than about 95% of businesses out there." John Grimshaw

Our host John Grimshaw has overseen the sending of half a million emails (so far)! In this flash back episode, he downloads his expertise and explains how applying this knowledge will give you the competitive edge you're looking for. 

You can also find a full video of this on the Smart Marketer YouTube channel, which you can check out here, https://www.youtube.com/@TheSmartMarketer/featured.

PLUS, if you're ready to turn Email into a huge revenue channel for your brand, check out Train My Email Specialist, https://smartmarketer.com/train-my-email-specialist/.

Links:

John Grimshaw, https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwgrimshaw/

Smart Marketer Courses https://smartmarketer.com/courses/

Train My Email Specialist, https://smartmarketer.com/train-my-email-specialist/ 

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! 

Thank you to our listeners for all the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages you've sent this year - the Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that.

It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

Today Molly Pittman talks to one of her favorite humans in the world, who happens to be AI Enthusiast Mike Rhodes, Founder of WebSavvy. He doesn't claim to be an expert, but he does know more than most and provides some excellent background information, context, and perspective that will help you feel more able to dive into Chat GPT, Mid Journey, and whatever comes next!

Listen for an optimistic take on what AI means for us, plus an overview of what's coming toward us (at Warp Speed). You'll be encouraged to dive into this rapidly evolving, game-changing technology with reverence and responsibility.

"Your job is to think about how your business could use this for good. How can we use this to empower people and to make us more human? That's the job right now". Mike Rhodes.

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS 

Thank you to our listeners for the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages! This Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that. It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links

Mike Rhodes, https://au.linkedin.com/in/websavvy

Web Savvy, https://www.websavvy.com.au/

Molly Pittman, https://mollypittman.com/

The Smart Marketer Agency, https://smartmarketer.com/agency/

What does the data tell us? The Chat CPT hype train is extremely real, but what can this tool do for us as Marketers? Does it have what it takes to step in and help you with your Email Campaigns?

CMO of Smart Marketer John Grimshaw ran three Email split tests and shares some interesting data in this episode. So whether you are excited to figure out how to use this tool or a skeptic that's a little concerned, listen to this data-backed episode for helpful insights you can apply to your own campaigns.

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS 

Thank you to our listeners for the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages! This Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that. It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links

John Grimshaw, https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwgrimshaw/

Smart Marketer Courses https://smartmarketer.com/courses/

Train My Email Specialist, https://smartmarketer.com/train-my-email-specialist/

If you have a demanding full-time job, you might feel that launching a side business is just too difficult. But Kate Matsudaira, the Founder of Ink and Volt, did just this and shares her success story with the CEO of the Smart Marketer Agency. Kate's journey showcases the power of community engagement for product development, knowing when to delegate, and some creative solutions to practical problems. Pepijn Hufen and Kate dive into the numbers, the thinking behind some of Ink and Volt's strategies, and what it's like to work with the Smart Marketer agency (Ink and Volt is a client). 

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS 

Thank you to our listeners for the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages! This Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that. It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links

Pepijn Hufen, https://www.linkedin.com/in/pepijnhufen/

The Smart Marketer Agency, https://smartmarketer.com/agency/.

Kate Matsudaira, https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemats 

Ink and Volt, https://inkandvolt.com/

Our senior media buyer is back on the show to bring you up to speed on what's working now in Facebook Ads Manager. You can almost hear the media buying community worldwide as they scramble to get to this episode! You'll hear Smart Marketer CEO Molly Pittman talk with Dennis Paskalev about the trends, tips, and tweaks you need to employ to optimize your campaigns. Plus, don't skip the end of the episode, where they talk candidly about the work-life balance challenges (and solutions) that are as crucial for your success as the latest digital marketing strategies.

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS 

Thank you to our listeners for the 5-Star Reviews and meaningful messages! This Podcast has gone above and beyond what we expected, and we have YOU to thank for that. It makes a difference when you follow us (and leave a review) on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-marketer-podcast/id1522629407) or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. 

We'd also love it if you repost this episode to your social media, share your favorite episodes with friends, and be sure to tag us in your next post, #WeOutHere.

Have questions? Please send us an email at support@smartmarketer.com, and don't forget to…

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit

Links

Molly Pittman, https://mollypittman.com/

The Agency, https://smartmarketer.com/agency/.

Dennis Paskalev, https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennispaskalev/