This week, we had a pretty fascinating chat about how SEO and content marketing are changing. Turns out 97% of web pages get zero (yes, actually zero) traffic from Google, and we went into detail about how SEO has basically ruined the internet by gaming the system with crappy listicles and generic content.Key stuff we covered:- How AI is taking over search results (but might not be terrible)- Why most SEO strategies are kind of pointless now- Why distribution matters more than ever- Using pro...

In this episode of Numbers and Narratives, we rambled about a wide array of things including conference experiences, the trend of bundling vs. unbundling in SaaS products, and the challenges of building software for small businesses. Key takeaways from the discussion:Value of smaller, focused conferencesBundling trend in SaaS productsChallenges of all-in-one solutionsRippling as an example of the aboveImportance of "one core feature" in bundled productsWe talked about the benefits of att...

In this episode of Numbers and Narratives, Ibby and Sean engage in a candid discussion about the changing landscape of B2B marketing, particularly focusing on the decline of cold email outreach and the rise of AI-powered marketing tools. They explore alternative strategies for building meaningful connections with potential clients and share insights on leveraging AI effectively in marketing efforts.Key takeaways from the discussion:- Cold email effectiveness declining- AI-powered SDRs floodin...

In this episode of Numbers and Narratives, we spoke with Rebecca Holliday, Head of Customer Success and Impact at Groundswell. Rebecca shared insights on corporate philanthropy, employee engagement, and the evolving landscape of donation platforms. Drawing from her experience in both nonprofit and corporate sectors, Rebecca discussed how Groundswell is revolutionizing corporate giving programs.Key takeaways from the discussion:Democratizing corporate philanthropyBalancing admin and user needs...

In this episode of Numbers and Narratives, we speak with Naomi West, a seasoned email and lifecycle marketer (currently at Parcel). Naomi shared insights from her extensive experience in the email marketing space, including her work with various ESPs and her recent venture into course creation. The conversation delved into the intricacies of email marketing, its importance in the digital landscape, and strategies for effective customer engagement.Key takeaways from the discussion:- Email's ro...

In this episode of Numbers and Narratives, we sat down with Stefan Stahl to discuss the intricacies of product development and customer data utilization. Stefan, with his background in mechanical engineering and experience leading product teams at startups like QuietKat and Ellavate, shared valuable insights on balancing customer desires with practical product design.Key takeaways from the conversation:Balancing customer wants vs. needsHalo products and aspirational marketingIoT for real-worl...

In the latest episode of Numbers and Narratives, we engaged in an insightful discussion with Disha Gosalia about the transformative impact of AI on customer experience (CX). Gosalia, drawing from her extensive experience in the customer experience space (most recently as Gladly's Chief Customer Officer), shared valuable perspectives on the current state and future of AI in CX.Key takeaways from the conversation:- AI adoption crucial is inevitable in the CX space- Generative AI actually lowers...

Hey everyone! This week on Numbers and Narratives, we had an enlightening conversation with Rich Donnellan, Head of Customer Experience at Aro. Rich shared valuable insights on building a hardware-software product aimed at helping families reduce screen time and foster better relationships. Key highlights from our chat with Rich include:The evolution of Aro's product from a dad-focused approach to a mom-centric solutionThe importance of customer feedback in pivoting product strategy and messa...

Hey everyone! This week on Numbers and Narratives, we had an insightful conversation with David Karp, an experienced leader in customer success and post-sales operations. David shared valuable perspectives on building strong customer relationships, team management, and fostering a positive company culture.Key highlights from our chat with David include:The importance of understanding customers as people with their own goals and challengesStrategies for balancing workload and creating space fo...

Hey everyone! This week on Numbers and Narratives, we have an exciting episode featuring Justin Crosby, the Head of CX at Tula Skincare. We delve into the crucial role of customer experience in omnichannel strategies and how Tula navigates the complexities of maintaining a consistent brand voice across diverse platforms like Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta.Justin shares insights on the importance of understanding customer preferences in different channels, the power of a well-trained team, and the ...

Hey everyone - this week, we've done a much longer episode of Numbers and Narratives with Aidan Parisian of the Connor Group. We dove deep into AI's role in go-to-market strategies, the importance of data analytics, and the power of resilience in personal and professional growth.Aidan shared insights on leveraging AI to democratize data and enhance customer experience, the challenges of data unification, and the critical role of consistent effort for long-term success. Plus, he recommended so...

Hey everyone - this week, we had an incredible conversation with Drew Price. We dove deep into career growth, the importance of personalization in marketing, and how to build trust with your customers. Drew shared insights on creating personalized weekly digests for Grammarly users, tackling the challenges of starting and scaling teams, and the vital role of leadership buy-in. Plus, he revealed his upcoming Maven course and inspiring newsletter on Substack. Don't miss this episode—it's p...

In today's Episode of Numbers and Narratives, we're interviewing Firstleaf Wine's CMO, Geoff Sanders. Geoff has extensive experience across finance, e-commerce, and subscription services and offers a treasure trove of knowledge on performance marketing principles. Learn how essential metrics like LTV, churn rates, and net revenue retention can guide your strategies to enhance customer engagement and growth.Learn the secrets of how Firstleaf achieves a 98% uniqueness rate in their monthly ship...

In our latest episode of Numbers & Narratives, we explored the transformative impact of AI on marketing and hiring. AI is reshaping how marketing teams operate, shifting focus from routine tasks to creative problem-solving. We dived deep into how small teams can be more agile and efficient using AI, and the importance of understanding the audience to tell compelling stories. We also discussed the upsides and potential pitfalls of AI, from automating softer skills to undetectable errors. T...

Today, we dive deep into CX with Pegah Valeh, who leads the customer experience team at Meta's Reality Labs. Pegah brings her seasoned expertise from the Reality Labs team at Meta, focusing on improving customer experiences to support business growth. Throughout this episode, we'll explore how Pegah and her team use metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) to measure the severity of customer issues and the crucial correlation between NPS and customer retention. She'll also share the benefit...

Welcome to another insightful episode of "Numbers and Narratives." Today, hosts Sean Collins and Ibby Syed delve into the world of data-driven marketing with a special focus on customer segmentation, recommendation engines, and personalized email automation. Drawing from his extensive experience as a data scientist and his current role at Cotera, Ibby shares invaluable tips on transitioning from generic marketing approaches to tailored, effective strategies that truly resonate with customers....

Today, we are are joined by Todd Unger, the Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association. Todd dives deep into the evolving realm of customer experience, discussing his new book, "The Ten Second Customer Journey," and sharing pivotal insights on integrating marketing, product development, e-commerce, and customer service. This episode promises to shed light on how businesses can drive growth by removing friction and enhancing customer interactions, preparing you to revolu...

On this week's episode of Numbers and Narratives, we dive deep with Jess Cervellon into the world of customer experience and data analytics. Jess highlighted the transformation of customer service into customer experience, emphasizing the proactive use of data to enhance the customer journey. We explored practical tools like Klaviyo and Postscript that streamline communication, while also addressing the integration challenges that brands face. Whether you're running a startup or a seasoned bu...

Today's episode is with Eli Weiss, VP of Retention Advocacy at Yotpo. Eli shares his rich insights on the importance of simplicity and personalization in commerce. He delves into how businesses can enhance customer retention by incentivizing existing behaviors rather than creating new ones. Eli also highlights the challenges and triumphs of his career journey, from his early days of travel and working with startups across the globe, to his influential roles at companies like Jones Road and Ol...

Today, we sliced through the digital jungle with Brad Redding of Elevar, uncovering how your data isn't just numbers – it's the storyline of your business. We dove deep into leveraging server-side tracking for unparalleled reliability, mastering Meta shops for customer acquisition, and the significance of first-party data in a cookie-less world. Brad gave us the playbook for amping up customer experience with personalized email and SMS, powered by AI that understands your audience b...

In today’s episode, “Unifying Customer Data for Profits,” we're joined by Rachel Smith, one of the founders of Rex Collective and a seasoned retention marketer to peel back the layers of personalized marketing strategies that are powering profits for e-commerce businesses.With Rachel’s we deep dive into understanding why both smaller and larger brands are benefiting from tools like data warehouses, personalization engines, and more. Sean adds to the conversation by stressing the importance of...

Prepare to be intrigued as we unravel the unconventional journey of Mike, an ex-professional fighter who's now knocking out the competition in the digital realm as the founder and head of No Limit Email.  As we maneuver through the maze of customer engagement, Mike drops value bombs on designing surveys that do more than just interrogate – they convert. He shares the secret sauce of asking questions that not only dig deep into customer intentions but also drive sales, bridging the gap...

Unlock the mysteries of data-driven marketing as we, Ibby Syed and Sean Collins, share our personal experiences from Peloton to Bilt Rewards, revealing how a deep dive into customer data can elevate your business's customer experience.  This episode is a treasure trove of marketing insights, from the art of objective testing in marketing strategies to the delicate dance between short-term tactics and the long-term vitality of your business. We dissect Revel's daring attempt to re-engage...

Listen to this episode to go on a transformative journey with our latest guest, Amit Bapat, whose career leap from materials science engineer to investment banker, and eventually to a life and mindset coach, exemplifies the power of aligning purpose with profession. In a riveting exchange, we traverse Amit's eclectic path, unpacking the pivotal lessons from his stints at McKinsey, University of Chicago Booth, and top-tier companies like Wayfair and HelloFresh. His insights into forging team...