Episodios

  • E067: How Marketers Should Actually Be Using AI, with the Boring Marketer
    Jul 8 2025

    In this episode, we’re joined by James from Boring Marketing to dig into how smart DTC marketers are actually using AI - not just to move faster, but to build more efficient systems and workflows.

    We talk about how AI can support content systems and internal processes, the difference between prompting and system-building, and why using AI just to generate content won’t drive results on its own. James shares how he’s using MCPs to improve creative output, how agents differ from real workflows today, and how to get more out of your team by designing AI to work alongside them.

    James also walks us through how he’s thinking about building repeatable content frameworks using AI, and later breaks down a Shopify product page to show how vague, vibe-based copy, often the result of poor AI implementation, can fall flat.

    To wrap up, James shares his take on what the biggest implementation of AI in the second half of 2025 will be, and what marketers should be paying attention to now.


    Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠.



    00:00 Introduction

    04:33 The Evolution of Boring Marketer

    08:41 Understanding Agents vs. Workflows

    12:50 The Year of Efficiency in AI

    17:40 Getting Started with AI Workflows

    21:27 Research and Analysis with AI

    28:46 Vibe Coding vs. Traditional Automation

    36:25 Tactical Approaches to Creative Generation

    42:32 Scraping Ads and Analyzing Competitors

    46:19 Building a Unique Marketing Brief

    48:16 Learning to Use AI Tools Effectively

    50:08 The Future of AI in Marketing

    58:59 Creating a Brand Analysis

    01:01:00 The Future of AI Tools in E-commerce

    01:05:09 Closing the Loop with AI Workflows

    01:11:31 Building a Shopify Site with AI

    01:22:45 The Future of Media Buying with AI





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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Haus.

    http://Haus.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


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    1 h y 27 m
  • E066: DTC Marketers - Where Are You Wasting Your Time?
    Jul 1 2025

    In ecommerce marketing today, acquisition costs are rising, tariffs are up, and growth is harder to come by, which means DTC brands are under pressure to do more with leaner teams. That got us thinking about where are marketers - and our teams - wasting time, and how can we work more efficiently without sacrificing performance?


    In this episode, we break down the marketing workflows, habits, and internal processes that slow teams down and drain resources, from spending too long refining content that should’ve shipped, to full landing page redesigns, creative testing that never scales, and attribution deep dives that don’t lead to action.


    We also talk about how to run a lean marketing team without losing output, where DTC marketers tend to overcomplicate, and how to better prioritize what actually drives performance, and much more.


    If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6



    00:00 Kickoff and Prime Day Preparations

    02:53 Marketing Strategies for Major Sales Events

    05:45 Driving Traffic to Amazon: Strategies and Insights

    09:07 The Importance of Attribution Links

    11:54 Exploring Paid Traffic for Amazon

    14:52 Wasting Time in E-commerce: Identifying Inefficiencies

    17:54 The Balance of Ad Volume and Quality

    21:11 Learning from Product Launches: Successes and Failures

    23:46 The Role of Plain Text Emails in Retention

    27:13 Leveraging Existing Products for New Launches

    41:49 Wasting Time and High Leverage Attachments

    48:29 Customer Service Tools and Efficiency

    57:01 Evaluating SEO and Affiliate Marketing

    01:01:08 Setting Clear Goals for Marketing Functions

    01:04:32 Retail as a Growth Channel

    01:10:40 Operationalizing Marketing Insights

    01:18:49 The Interconnectedness of Digital and Retail Revenue




    Powered by:

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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Rivo.

    https://www.rivo.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

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    1 h y 22 m
  • E065: Using Spending Power to Plan and Spend Smarter with Steve Rekuc - Plus AI Ads and PDP
    Jun 24 2025

    This week, we’re talking AI creative, product page testing, and Shopify updates - plus, we’re joined by Steve Rekuc from Common Thread Collective who walks us through how he built the Spending Power metric at CTC, what it tells us about shifting consumer demand, and how brands can use it to adjust spend and planning month to month. We also dig into seasonality vs macro-driven variability, and why awareness of your environment is key to making smarter decisions.

    We also discuss the viral Kalshi ad and discuss how we’re approaching AI tools for creative development, from visual quality to concept support. We also talk about recent PDP testing wins, what changed, and how to think about the structure of your product pages going into peak season.



    Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠Click here⁠.



    00:00 Introduction

    02:57 Analytics Reporting and Year-Over-Year Comparisons

    07:12 Data Warehousing and Shopify Analytics

    10:54 AI in Marketing and Creative Strategies

    16:53 Consumer Confidence and E-commerce Predictions

    23:00 Insights from Common Thread Collective

    34:20 Understanding Spending Power

    37:14 Incrementality Testing for Marketing Efficiency

    40:01 Seasonality and Brand Performance

    43:41 Predicting Future Spending Power

    46:59 Consumer Confidence and Spending Trends

    49:47 Insights from Data for Brand Strategy

    52:27 Iterating on Product Design and User Experience



    Kalshi Ad: https://x.com/PJaccetturo/status/1932893260399456513


    Steve's X Thread: https://x.com/RSteveData/status/1931107166792159711


    Episode 64 with Dylan Anders:

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/QJvj3z68rbE

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3iwer8FNwuwzDDnAV5X7JV?si=ab23e70a86404639


    Powered by:

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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Haus.

    http://Haus.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

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    1 h y 8 m
  • E064: Does Conversion Rate Matter? Dylan Ander on CRO Best Practices & Smarter Web Analytics
    Jun 17 2025

    Today we’re joined by Dylan Ander, founder of heatmap.com, to talk attribution, LTV, CAC, creative testing, and what actually moves the needle in media buying performance.


    We unpack why conversion rate alone isn’t the best indicator of success and what to look at instead, from holdout testing and CAC payback windows to 60-day LTV. Dylan shares his approach to attribution when platform data (especially from Meta) falls short, and how to build creative testing frameworks that truly help scale spend.


    We also dive into the nuances of media buying across channels, how to interpret noisy performance data, and the signals that actually matter. Dylan breaks down how to use on-site surveys to gather clearer attribution insights - what to ask, how to ask it, and how to use the data. Plus, we get into pricing strategy: why many brands hesitate to raise prices, and how pricing impacts both conversion and LTV.


    Finally, Dylan walks through an audit of Cody’s website using heatmap and revenue data, offering tactical, high-leverage feedback on what’s working, what’s not, and what to test next.


    If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6


    00:00 Meta Summit Takeaways

    02:47 AI in Marketing Strategies

    06:08 Introduction to Dylan Ender

    09:04 Core Web Analytics Insights

    11:55 Customer Feedback and CRO

    15:13 The Importance of AOV and Conversion Rate

    17:58 Revenue Per Session vs. Conversion Rate

    20:50 Price Testing Strategies

    39:41 Revenue Testing and Feedback

    42:08 The Importance of Price Testing

    43:36 Challenges in SaaS Pricing

    44:57 Understanding Heat Maps and Analytics

    52:58 Live Testing vs. Split Testing

    56:20 The Role of Customer Feedback in Marketing

    01:01:12 Understanding Funnel Metrics

    01:08:53 Optimizing Navigation for Better User Experience



    Episodes discussed in the show:Episode 1 - A Deep Dive into Attribution and Measurement Episode 27 - How We Set Goals, Attribution Limitations and KPIs for Growth?


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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Rivo.

    https://www.rivo.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

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    1 h y 21 m
  • E063: Quick Hits – What’s Shifting on Meta, Shopify’s AI Update & Your DTC Questions Answered
    Jun 10 2025

    In this episode, we dive into Meta ad performance, Shopify’s latest AI features (including Sidekick), and we answer your DTC marketing questions from our MOps Hotline.


    We start with unpacking how Meta is performing for us right now - why it’s still the most powerful channel in the stack, but also less forgiving than it used to be. Cody shares the thinking behind his recent tweet on Meta volatility and how we’re adapting creative and media buying to respond.


    Next, we discuss to Shopify’s latest AI announcements and tools - from Sidekick to generative features inside the Shopify platform. We discuss whether these updates are useful for ecommerce operators, or just more hype.


    Ad finally, we get into a round of your questions from our MOps Hotline, covering email vs SMS strategy, SKU-level segmentation, channel prioritization, and more.


    Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? Click here.


    00:00 Introduction

    04:34 Leveraging AI in Marketing

    07:05 The New Metric: Cost Per 1000 Accounts Reached

    19:26 Optimizing Meta Advertising Strategies

    27:38 AI Innovations in Shopify

    37:34 The Future of E-commerce with AI

    44:12 Incrementality Testing for Ad Spend

    51:41 Effective Marketing Measurement and Reporting

    01:02:54 Pricing Strategies and Conversion Rates


    Mehtab's X Thread:https://x.com/mehtabkarta/status/1924547703373189179?s=46


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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Haus.

    http://Haus.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/


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    1 h y 14 m
  • Bonus Episode: Marketing Operators X Meta Summit
    Jun 7 2025

    Disclaimer: Meta participated as a guest on this podcast episode, However, Meta does not endorse or sponsor this podcast, its content, or any of its commercial partners or sponsors. Any views expressed are those of the individual participants and do not represent the views of Meta.


    The Marketing Operators hosts have a live discussion about marketing at the Meta Summit. They discuss the concept of incrementality in marketing, exploring its significance, measurement techniques, and the evolving landscape of marketing tools. They discuss the importance of understanding which conversions are truly incremental and how to effectively measure them using various tools and strategies. They emphasize the need for a culture of experimentation and the role of data triangulation in optimizing marketing efforts.


    The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by marketers in adapting to changing consumer behaviors and the future of incrementality in the marketing industry. They explore the role of AI in creative development, emphasizing the need for diverse and culturally resonant content.


    00:00 Introduction to Incrementality in Marketing

    02:45 Understanding Incrementality: Definitions and Examples

    06:04 The Role of Measurement in Incrementality

    09:08 Tools and Strategies for Measuring Incrementality

    12:01 Operationalizing Incrementality in Marketing

    18:03 Triangulation of Data for Better Insights

    20:48 The Future of Incrementality in Marketing

    29:23 Driving Brand Outcomes through Incrementality

    33:30 Revisiting Past Ads for New Opportunities

    35:43 The Future of Creative Testing with AI

    39:30 Cultural Resonance vs. AI-Generated Content

    43:54 The Balance of AI and Human Creativity

    47:32 Exploring Creative AI Platforms

    51:08 Actionable Insights for Future Campaigns


    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/


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    58 m
  • E062: Running a Sweepstake for Your DTC Brand? Here’s Your Checklist to Get It Right
    Jun 3 2025

    How can DTC brands run sweepstakes that actually drive results? In this episode, we break down the full sweepstakes checklist: how to plan, set up, promote, and track a campaign that performs.


    We’ve been getting a lot of questions from marketers and DTC founders about sweepstakes, and for good reason - when done right, they can drive serious attention, grow your email list, and create a brand moment that doesn’t depend on constant discounting.


    We walk through everything you need to know to run a sweepstakes for your ecommerce brand: how to time it, what to offer, how to promote it with paid, what legal considerations to keep in mind, and the one element that can make or break your results.


    If you enjoyed this episode, check out Ep 17 - The Sweepstake Tactics To Create Tentpole Moments for more sweepstakes strategy discussion:

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kzE8uNgBBqy9nU3uloppt?si=5586b656d0e045e8

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/wSgVjuh3i6Y


    If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6



    00:00 Introduction

    09:05 The Rise of Sweepstakes in Marketing

    18:02 Strategizing Sweepstakes Offers

    22:29 Branding and Design Language for Campaigns

    28:35 Gamification in Sweepstakes

    39:36 Maximizing Post-Purchase Revenue

    46:41 Legal Considerations for Sweepstakes

    50:34 Tracking Entries and Customer Awareness

    01:03:28 Building Effective Funnels for Sweepstakes


    Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Rivo.

    https://www.rivo.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

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    1 h y 18 m
  • E61: Quick Hits – Campaign Wins, Team Structure & AI Tools We’re Testing
    May 27 2025

    In this episode, we get into a few different areas we've been working through recently, from campaign performance to org structure to how we’re using AI in our day-to-day. We dig into how recent promotions performed across our DTC brands, including Mother's Day and Memorial Day campaigns, and share what we’ve seen work (and not work) when it comes to bundling, gift-with-purchase offers, and mystery boxes.


    We also talk through how ecommerce teams are structured inside the brands we work with, including where things can break down between marketing, web, and product.


    Finally, we get into how AI is being used practically in our workflows, from tools like ChatGPT and ElevenLabs to how we’re using HeyGen for localization - what’s been useful, what still requires human oversight, and where we’re seeing opportunity.


    If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6


    00:00 Introduction

    03:13 Leveraging AI in Marketing

    06:06 Campaign Strategies and Branding

    08:56 Sales Performance Insights

    11:45 Innovative Promotions and Offers

    15:00 Structuring E-Commerce Teams

    17:52 Future Planning and Product Roadmaps

    40:39 E-commerce Operations and Team Structure

    44:16 Maximizing Post-Purchase Profitability

    46:18 AI Integration in E-commerce Workflows

    54:01 AI's Impact on Customer Experience and Operations

    01:00:00 Leveraging AI for Marketing and Data Analysis

    01:15:24 Testing and Insights in E-commerce Strategies


    Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

    Powered by:

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    ⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends


    Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.prescientai.com/operators


    Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

    https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc


    Aftersell.

    https://www.aftersell.com/operators


    Haus.

    http://Haus.io/operators



    Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9


    Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS


    Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

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    1 h y 21 m