🚀 This Week: AI-Powered Gifting & Smart Pricing Strategies That Actually Work

👋 Hey Fastlane Insiders!

The ecommerce landscape keeps evolving, and this week I've got some powerful strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve.

I had two fascinating conversations that tackle the biggest challenges Shopify merchants face right now - customer acquisition costs and sustainable growth. First, Elery Pfeffer from Nift shares how brands are breaking free from expensive ad platforms using AI-powered gifting to find new customers. Then, Chad Rubin from Profasee reveals how smart pricing automation is helping Amazon sellers unlock hidden profits (one brand saw a 7-figure increase!).

In our Knowledge Drops, I'm breaking down how podcasting is becoming a secret weapon for Shopify brands in 2025, plus a clever tool called Opensend that helps turn your window shoppers into buyers.

Whether you're looking to reduce ad spend, boost profitability, or explore new marketing channels, this edition is packed with practical strategies you can start using today.

Let's dig in!

Steve

Spot Your Customers Instantly

Right now, you just see a list of random email addresses making orders. But I’ve got a database with 5+ million influencers in it. I take your list of customers and show you which ones have an engaged audience. On average? 75 influencers per 5,000 shoppers. That’s free, organic marketing sitting right under your nose. Wanna see who’s secretly hyping your brand? Let’s go.

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🎧 New Podcast Episodes!

Smarter Customer Acquisition: How Nift Helps Brands Escape Rising Ad Costs

I recently chatted with Elery Pfeffer, Founder & CEO of Nift, about a fresh approach to customer acquisition that's helping brands break free from skyrocketing Google and Meta ad costs while bringing in qualified customers at scale.

You'll discover how Nift's AI-powered gifting platform connects your brand with high-intent shoppers who are ready to buy - without the usual paid ad spend. Elery shares real examples of how brands are using Nift alongside their Shopify store, Klaviyo email marketing, and other tools to drive sustainable growth.

Key highlights from our conversation:

• A new way to acquire customers that doesn't rely on traditional advertising

• Smart use of first-party data to fuel sustainable growth

• Real results: How Blenders Eyewear achieved 545% growth in Q4

• Practical tips for integrating Nift with your existing tech stack

• What customer acquisition looks like beyond the walled gardens of Meta, Google and TikTok

Perfect for Shopify merchants looking to diversify their acquisition channels and improve ROAS without getting caught in the paid advertising trap.

Listen in HERE →

The Future of Pricing on Amazon: AI-Driven Strategies with Profasee

I also sat down with Chad Rubin, a veteran ecommerce entrepreneur and CEO of Profasee, who's transforming how brands approach Amazon pricing. After building and selling multiple successful businesses including Skubana, Chad's latest venture helps brands unlock hidden profits through AI-powered price optimization.

Chad reveals how Amazon's dynamic marketplace requires a completely new approach to pricing - one where AI analyzes millions of data points to find the perfect price point for both profitability and visibility.

Key highlights from our discussion:

• Why most brands leave money on the table with inefficient pricing decisions

• How Profasee's AI engine processes real-time signals to optimize both search ranking and profits

• The critical connection between pricing strategy and ad spend effectiveness

• Real results: How brands using AI-driven pricing see 10-40% profit increases

• Profasee's unique 3X ROI guarantee that eliminates implementation risk

Perfect for Amazon sellers tired of manual repricing and ready to leverage AI for strategic pricing that drives both rankings and revenue.

Listen in HERE →

💡 Knowledge Drops of the Week

Sell Internationally on Shopify: 2025 Expansion Guide

Thinking about taking your Shopify store global but unsure where to start? I’ve broken down the exact steps successful brands are using to sell internationally and unlock new revenue streams.

Key Takeaways:

• The #1 mistake brands make when expanding into international markets

• How to identify the right global markets and avoid costly missteps

• The localization strategies driving 30% higher conversion rates

The biggest insight? Selling internationally isn’t just about translating your site—it’s about creating a localized experience that builds trust and drives sales. The smartest brands are leveraging data-driven market research, Shopify’s built-in global commerce tools, and strategic pricing to scale efficiently.

I’m sharing the exact framework top Shopify brands use to expand globally without unnecessary risks. Ready to tap into new markets and grow your brand beyond borders? 🚀

Click HERE to get the full strategy!

Why Podcasting Could Be Your Shopify Store's Secret Weapon

With over 460 million podcast listeners worldwide, this medium offers a fresh way to connect with customers without relying on expensive ads. My latest guide shows you how to tap into podcasting's potential to build real relationships with your audience.

Inside you'll discover:

• A straightforward approach to launching your first podcast

• Smart ways to turn your expertise into engaging episodes

• Practical tips for measuring ROI beyond just download numbers

• How to use storytelling to naturally promote your products

What makes this strategy powerful? Podcasting lets you share your brand's authentic voice while building trust - something paid ads just can't replicate. Plus, when someone chooses to listen to your podcast, they're already showing interest in your niche, making them more likely to become loyal customer.

Check out the full guide to learn the exact steps for using podcasting to fuel your Shopify store's growth in 2025 and beyond.

Read it HERE →

🔥 Tool of the Week: Turn More Browsers into Buyers

Tired of seeing potential customers browse your store but leave without buying? Opensend solves this by identifying your most interested visitors - the ones spending time on product pages and checking out multiple items.

The magic happens when Opensend automatically adds these high-intent browsers to your Klaviyo email lists. Instead of losing these potential customers forever, you can nurture them with targeted emails that bring them back to complete their purchase.

Think of it as capturing interest before it fades. When someone's actively browsing your products, they're showing clear buying signals. Opensend helps you act on these signals, turning casual browsing sessions into sales opportunities through your existing Klaviyo workflows.

Perfect For Your Store If:

• You get 15,000+ monthly visitors

• You're looking to tap into hidden revenue

• You want to grow your email list with qualified leads

Want to see who's been window shopping on your site? Try Opensend for just $1 and start converting those browsers into buyers.

Ready to unlock that hidden revenue? Check out Opensend today →

🤘 Let's Keep Building Together!

Quick note - I read every reply to these newsletters (seriously, try me!). Having any specific challenges with your Shopify store? Customer acquisition headaches? Tech stack questions? Hit reply and let me know. I love connecting with fellow merchants and sharing what's working.

Found value in today's creator commerce and acquisition strategies? Share this edition with another Shopify merchant who's looking to scale. We're all in this together!

Steve Hutt

eCommerceFastlane.com

P.S. Missed previous editions? Check out the archive for more Shopify growth strategies.