Video Commerce Revolution & Finding Your Perfect Marketing Match

👋 Hey Fastlane Insiders!

This week's newsletter is packed with strategies to elevate your Shopify business. I'm excited to share two great conversations I had that could transform how you connect with customers and market your brand.

Discover how shoppable video is revolutionizing ecommerce with practical tips you can implement right away. Then, learn the insider secrets to finding a marketing agency that actually delivers results (and the emerging channels you should be exploring in 2025). Plus, don't miss our Knowledge Drop featuring Gladly – a customer service solution that's helping top Shopify brands build loyalty through exceptional support experiences.

Whether you're looking to boost engagement, find the right marketing partner, or elevate your customer service, this week's content delivers actionable insights you can use immediately.

Let's dive in!

Steve

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🎧 New Podcast Episodes!

Shoppable Video is the Future of Ecommerce: Drive Sales with Interactive Experiences

Want to turn browsers into buyers with the power of video? This week, I chatted with Eitan Koter, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Vimmi, about how shoppable videos and live shopping events are changing the game for Shopify merchants.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Video That Sells: How adding interactive elements to your videos can transform passive watching into active shopping, boosting your conversion rates without increasing ad spend

• Live Shopping Success Secrets: Simple but powerful strategies to plan and run live shopping events that actually generate revenue (without needing a huge audience)

• TikTok for Every Brand: Why TikTok isn't just for Gen Z anymore, and how you can use it to build authentic connections that drive sales (even if you've been hesitant to jump in)

If you're looking for fresh ways to stand out from competitors and create shopping experiences your customers will love, you won't want to miss this conversation!

Listen in HERE →

Stop Wasting Money on the Wrong Marketing Agency: Find Your Perfect Match

Ever hired a marketing agency that promised the moon but delivered a pebble? You're not alone. This week, I sat down with Behdad "Bee" Jamshid from CJAM Marketing, who's made it his mission to match Shopify brands with marketing partners who actually deliver results.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why Agency Relationships Fail: The real reasons most brand-agency partnerships crash and burn (and the red flags you should watch for before signing that contract)

• Inside the Matchmaking Process: How Bee filters through hundreds of agencies to find the gems that can truly move the needle for your specific business needs

• Getting Clear on What You Need: Simple questions to ask yourself before hiring any marketing help that will save you thousands in misdirected spending

• 2025's Marketing Goldmines: Two surprising marketing channels Bee sees delivering massive ROI that most brands aren't even considering yet

If you've been burned by agencies before or just want to make sure your marketing dollars are working harder for you, this conversation will give you the insider perspective you need!

Listen in HERE →

Feeling Swamped by Ecommerce News?

You know I'm all about helping you cut through the noise in ecommerce. While I share my Shopify insights here, I've found another valuable voice worth adding to your inbox.

My friend Zach runs EcomConnect, a quick weekly digest that packs the essential ecommerce updates into just five minutes of reading. It covers Industry Pulse, CPG trends, Tech Innovations, upcoming Events, and Success Stories that would normally take hours to research.

More perspectives mean better-informed decisions for your store.

What You'll Get:

• Industry Pulse: Critical trends and shifts in e-commerce before they hit mainstream

• CPG Spotlight: Discover emerging brands disrupting traditional consumer packaged goods

• Tech Innovations: The tools and platforms reshaping how we sell and buy online

• Event Radar: Never miss a crucial networking opportunity or industry gathering

• Success Stories: Learn from brands that are breaking through the digital noise

In just 5 minutes each week, get the insights that would otherwise take hours of research.

It’s FREE to join EcomConnect →

💡 Knowledge Drop of the Week

The Customer Service Solution That Treats Shoppers Like People, Not Tickets

Is your customer service turning one-time buyers into lifelong fans—or sending them straight to your competitors? In today's crowded ecommerce space, how you handle support can be your biggest competitive advantage (or your biggest weakness).

I've just published an in-depth look at Gladly, a customer service platform that's changing the game for growing Shopify brands. Unlike traditional helpdesks that treat customers like ticket numbers, Gladly puts people at the center of every interaction.

Key highlights from the review:

• The Relationship Difference: Why Gladly's people-centered approach creates more natural conversations and stronger customer connections than traditional ticket systems

• Shopify Integration Magic: How Gladly pulls your store data into one seamless view so agents can see the complete customer story—from browsing to buying to support needs

• Work Smarter, Not Harder: The clever automation features that help your support team handle more conversations without feeling overwhelmed

• Success You Can Copy: Real examples of brands that have boosted their customer satisfaction scores and repeat purchase rates after switching to Gladly

The bottom line? In a world where acquiring new customers keeps getting more expensive, keeping the ones you have happy isn't just good service—it's smart business. Check out the full review to see if Gladly might be the missing piece in your customer loyalty strategy.

Read it HERE →

🔥 Tool of the Week: Supercharge Your Shopify Sales

Want to convert more browsers into buyers? Retention.com is a powerful tool that can identify up to 35% of your anonymous website visitors and convert them into subscribers.

What makes Retention.com special:

• Grows your email list 10-15x faster than traditional methods

• Boosts abandonment flow sales by up to 250% with their Reclaim feature

• Extends tracking from Klaviyo's 7 days to a full 6 months

Merchants are seeing impressive results - CARIUMA achieved 13.1x ROI, Vital Proteins got 9.25x ROI with 10x more subscribers, and many enjoy open rates near 58% on automated flows.

If you're serious about growing your email list and recovering lost sales, Retention should be part of your tech stack.

Give Retention.com a try!

🤘 Let's Keep Learning Together!

The ecommerce world never stands still, and this week's newsletter is all about staying ahead of the curve. Whether you're ready to transform your customer experience with shoppable video, find a marketing partner who actually delivers, or elevate your customer service to build lasting loyalty - there's actionable advice here to help you grow.

I'm curious - which of these strategies are you most excited to try first? Hit reply and let me know what's on your mind. I personally read every message and love hearing about your wins and challenges.

If you found value in today's newsletter, please forward it to another Shopify merchant who's looking to level up their business. Our community gets stronger when we share what works.

Until next week!

Steve Hutt
eCommerceFastlane.com

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