Connor Widder

There are only 6.3k stores on Salesforce Commerce Cloud. (By 2030, half will be on Shopify.) But for now… 2.8k do $1m+/yr. 1.4k do $5m+/yr 1k do $10m+/yr 704 do $50m+/yr 281 do $100m+/yr There are huge brands on Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Definitely a higher concentration of public brands than on Shopify. But the Shopify market is so much larger in the $1m - $100m segment. It’s still the greatest opportunity in eCom. Give it 5 more years. Shop will catch up with the bigger fish. #Shopify

130

23 Comments

Much appreciation to Sara Mannix of Mannix Marketing for sharing a few suggestions with Sherri & I to help bolster our SEO efforts on SexTech n' Chill. We had an article that's been performing really well after the recent legislation changes in Texas banning certain types of content, and wanted to capitalize on that. We leveraged her suggestions alongside our existing content strategy to super charge its rank on DuckDuckGo. I didn't expect the gains to appear as quickly as they did tho, and less than about a month later, it's gone from 10th place to #5. Got me checking the stats daily like a text from my Gurl I don't wanna miss! https://lnkd.in/eTTxzUyp - [Img alt: The character of Penny from the TV show Big Bang Theory. Penny is sitting on her sofa, computer on her lap, in the background her apartment is in complete disarray. In the foreground, she's a disheveled mess from an extended period of non-stop binging video games on her laptop. There's a caption that reads: "Oh my god, I need help."] #SEO #ContentStrategy #websiteperformance #brandimpact #sextech

5

Multiple Shopify stores had a rough Monday-Wednesday this week. After spending thousands $$$'s in team resources, we found out the issue... Crowdstrike patches impacted browsers + Cloudfare (Shopify's distribution network). Users had latency issues and difficulty with checkout. Was I frustrated? Yes. Lose sleep? Yes. Take it out on my team? Yes. Their fault? Yes. My fault? Yes. No one's fault? Yes. The fact is, even when these things happen (and they do happen in the world of digital), it may not be our FAULT, but it is our responsibility. There's always a way we can improve. Processes, communication, management (patience), all get sharpened when there's a "fantom" issue. Doesn't mean they won't happen again, but how we can recognize the pattern faster. Appreciate the diligence and, more importantly, the patience of the Everything Bagel team with me. #cloudstrike #shopify #digitalmarketing #management

7

2 Comments

Enterprise software buying is broken. Vendors pay $100k (and in some cases $1m+ to attend) events like Shoptalk, a Vegas larger-than-life speed-dating affair that tries to match buyers and vendors. If you're a vendor who doesn't attend, it’s going to be hard to find out what buyers need and when they need it. And good luck relying on cold emails or cold calling to get in front of the right decision-maker at the right time with the right solution. Nearly impossible. Spending 12 years building CB Insights taught me a thing or two about enterprise buyers. And convinced me there should be a better way to facilitate buyer-vendor matches. Imagine: — Getting matched with a buyer who actually wants what you have to offer, now — Hopping on a virtual meeting from your home or office — Being so well prepared you're able to speak to exactly how your solution addresses their current pain points Sound too good to be true? Well, it isn't. At least not anymore. I founded Alium to solve that exact problem. Which is why I couldn't be more excited to announce the launch of Buyer Introductions on our platform. Here's how it works: — You signal intent to connect with a buyer — If the buyer’s interested in what you have to offer, you're matched — You receive proprietary intel about what the buyer is looking for — The two of you hop on a call to talk shop Boom. Massive win-win without the huge amounts of time and money spent on in-person events and cold hail-mary, spray-and-pray campaigns. If that sounds interesting to you, my DMs are open. P.S. Zero disrespect to Shoptalk, by the way. It’s a great event and I’ll be there next year and the year after that… P.P.S. Some of the buyers we already have on the platform (and we’re adding more all the time): Tourneau, Lowes, Zoom, Finish Line, Omni Hotels, Bloomberg, Subway, and LG Electronics.

52

7 Comments

I wonder how a majority of SAAS companies who price based on seat licensing will adjust to an A.I. Agent model. Today a business would look like this: 12 Support Agents @ $30/month = $360/month With A.I. Agent - it could look like: 3 Support Agents @ $30/month = $90/month AI Agent(s) @ $xx/month ? The 3 Support Agents would only be required to handle escalations from the A.I. agent I don't see how they justify "seat licensing" for A.I. but they will try.

6

3 Comments

None of these people are capable of sending 41,000 emails, only discussing it. One of these people is a LinkedIn top voice and didn't know it. Two of these people reside in Austin. Three of these people are marketers. Four of these people think marketers are more sensitive than sellers. Five of these people shared some very difficult career moments. And all six of these people will support each other best we can. Austin seems to be the conference hub of the moment and while I've lived here for 13 years now you will rarely see me at one. What I value are smaller gatherings and more personal connection found outside the event centers. It's why we founded The Surf & Sales Summit. I'm sure some speeches were great, and some vendors racked up some mql's, but give me a couple hours with these fine folks any day of the week instead. Kyle Lacy - goal unlocked after 4 years I finally met the cmo of jellyfish kelsey calabro - ghostwriter + cs leader + bff Leslie Douglas - vp sponsorship at sell better + storyteller Will Aitken - funnier in real life but do not call him a marketer ⚡️Arthur Castillo - still the kindest human in saas + my surfing buddy Kevin Johnson [not pictured] - vp events + ops at sell better Do yourself a favor before you head off to your next conference: Book time with people you know and admire. PS - Photo credit to some random lady who Will convinced he was my son.

200

64 Comments

🌟 They've been gatekeeping... I have realized Utah Business offers *way more* than just a Magazine. Here is how comprehensive they are and want to be a resource for EVERY business in Utah. 👤 Get in Front of Decision Makers - Print & Digital Ads: Reach Utah’s top executives with ad placements in our magazine and online - Roundtable Features: Join exclusive discussions featured in our magazine or digital channels, alongside Utah’s top experts - Brandview Articles: Be featured on KSL or Deseret News to expand your reach - Utah-Based Talk Shows: Get featured on local talk shows to boost awareness 🎉 Network & Sponsor Events - Over 40 Events Annually: Connect with Utah's business community through award ceremonies, networking events, and more - Event Sponsorships: Showcase your brand with sponsorships or booths at events - Merit-Based Awards: Our awardees are chosen based on achievement, making sponsorships genuine opportunities - Host Roundtables: Participate in private discussions featured in our magazine or online - Sponsor Founder Fridays: Promote your brand at these *free* monthly events, engaging entrepreneurs directly (you should come!) 📈 Full-Scale Ad Agency Services - SEO: Boost search visibility - Google & Social Media Ads: Run targeted campaigns on Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn - Geofencing: Target customers based on location - Retargeting Ads: Stay top of mind with potential customers - Billboard, Movie Theater, & Outdoor Ads: High-impact visual advertising across Utah - Direct Mail Campaigns: Cost-effective mail campaigns with our economies of scale - Email Marketing: Personalized campaigns that drive engagement - Website Design: Refresh your site for better conversions - Social Media Management: Full-service content creation, engagement, and growth - Programmatic & Streaming Audio Ads: Reach audiences on TV, OTT, and streaming services - PR Collaboration: Integrated campaigns with PR firms 📰 Newsletter Features Your brand can be featured in top Utah newsletters: - UB - Real Estate Weekly - UB - UB Daily - Utah Policy - Utah Today - Utah Today - JOBS - Ute Insider - InDepth - Jazz Insiders - On the Trail - Sports Edition - State of Faith - Therefore, What? - Afternoon Edition - Arts & Entertainment - Churchbeat - Church News em Portugues - Church News en Español - Church News Today - Church News Weekly - Cougar Insiders 👉 They offer a Free SEO Check too. I can legit run one for you just message me 📍Serving All Sectors Business Owners, Non-Profits (they get a discount), Political Campaigns, & More: We love a challenge, so try us 🧐 --- 💬 Lot's of times people simply don't know all that they could have access to! So, if there is something I can help with, let me know!

47

3 Comments

Sending videos in HubSpot Sequences? Here's how you can automatically create AI-personalized videos with Sendspark 🎥✨ 1️⃣ Use a "dynamic video" in your sequence 2️⃣ Use a HubSpot Workflow to automatically create dynamic videos when contacts get enrolled in the sequence 3️⃣ That's it! Let the automation do it's thing. Hope this saves you some time 💜

89

19 Comments

I attended a great panel this morning at Denver Startup Week called "How Hiring Fractional Talent Can Drive Quick Wins for Small and Medium Size Businesses." I'm about to hit my one year anniversary of becoming a fractional SEO Director, and a lot of what the panel discussed really resonated with what I see as the value I bring to my clients every day. Some of the key advantages of working with fractional talent include: - You are able to hire higher caliber talent than you may be able to afford if you were to hire a full-time employee. - You get a brutally honest voice in the room. We aren't politicking or angling for a promotion. Your success is our success too. - You get quicker execution from fractional talent. Onboarding is shorter, meetings are fewer, and there is more intentionality around our goals and work because our time is more limited. - Your organization benefits from us working with other clients. We will get you out of the "we've always done it this way" mindset and provider fresh perspectives on how others have approached your challenges. If you're looking for fractional SEO or content strategy help, or you are interested in getting into the fractional world, my DMs are open! #denverstartupweek #fractionalleader #fractionalhiring #fractionaladvantage

24

2 Comments

Want your business to be more visible locally? Here are three things I don't know why 🤔 most local businesses overlook: 1. Optimize your Google Business Profile by adding hours, updates, and reviews. 2. Use local keywords on your website and blog (e.g., "Bakery in Austin"). 3. Get listed in online directories like Yelp and Bing Places. More than enough to significantly improve your local visibility.

2

2 Comments

HubSpot will NOT solve all your problems. ❌ So don't buy the software thinking it will magically fix all of your issues without any hard work on your part. If you skip data clean up before migration, you'll still have bad data…just in a new CRM. If you recreate bad processes during implementation, you'll still have shit processes…just in a new CRM. Pushing buttons in HubSpot is easy. Thinking through the strategy is the harder (and much more important) part. #HubSpot #CRMimplementation

4

Why Every $10M eCommerce Business Needs a Niche Accountant Think your accountant is saving you money? Think again. That 1% difference in your tax return could mean an extra $10,000 in your pocket! 💰 If you're running a $10M e-commerce business, you *cannot* afford to skip this. Find out why hiring an accountant specialized in your niche is a game-changer. Watch this week’s video on my YouTube channel to learn more! 🎥 https://lnkd.in/d4xzCNsy #eCommerceSuccess #BusinessGrowthHacks #TaxSavings #NicheAccountant #ScaleYourBusiness #EcomTaxTips #FinancialStrategy #OptimizeYourProfits #10MillionBusiness #AccountingExpertTips

1

1 Comment

Do saas companies pay me to post? ☀️ I saw a couple of comments when I shared a new SaaS product recently about people paying me to post. 😆 Never once has a company ever paid me to post. (Though I get offered almost daily) That is not a thing that I do. ❌ I just wanted to be clear because I’ve been sharing a lot more software and agency products out there. So, never once has someone said, "Hey Jord, here’s 500 bucks. 💵 Can you just post this?" or something like that. I don’t like that. I don’t think that’s a great way to do things. I want to genuinely share things. 💬 Now, occasionally, companies will comp me for some sort of revenue share. So if somebody ends up using them, then they send me some sort of rev share. 💸 I only do this with companies that I actually believe in and think are great. Generally, I also use all of the software. 💻 So if you ever see me post about something on LinkedIn or Twitter, just know that nobody is paying me to post anything. I hate that idea. I hate that idea with influencers as well, like on the direct-to-consumer side. To me, I don’t like the pay-for-post model. I just don’t think that it’s a great way to do things, because then people will just take quick cash. 💰 Instead of having the trust that you’ve built up over the years, they’ll take quick cash just to post anything. And I just would never want to do that. So if you ever see me post about a software product, it’s because I genuinely think it’s great. 🙌 I posted about one earlier today called Supermoon 🌙 that I really think is going to be a potential Gorgias killer once they get all of their integrations in. I just wanted you guys to know about it because it’s super cheap. I think I said twenty-nine bucks, but it’s actually twenty-seven bucks a month. 💸 It doesn’t have all the same integrations as Gorgias, but for smaller brands, I think it’s a really, really good option for them. Again, just posting this because I feel like a lot of these companies need to get the word out. 📢 Sometimes I’ll put them in my newsletter. Sometimes I’ll post about them on LinkedIn or Twitter. I genuinely just want to get out there and help some of these companies. I think they need to be out there. So I just wanted to let you guys know... just in case you were wondering. I’ve seen some comments on posts recently and I want you guys to understand: nobody can or ever will pay me per post. 🛑 That’s just not a thing I want to do. Now, I do have sponsors on the Secrets To Scaling Your E-commerce Brand to podcast 🎙️ and that’s completely different. When somebody sponsors my podcast, they have paid to sponsor the podcast. That’s part of what keeps the lights on. 💡 So I just wanted everybody to understand and know that, above all else, trust is really, really important when it comes to all of this. 🤝 All right, have a great day! 😎

24

11 Comments

I've gotten really good & efficient at building high converting Wordpress Elementor websites. Truthfully, it's one of my favorite things to do these days. But...I really dislike the potential for theme conflicts, mindfulness needed when updating plugins, and overall security/performance risks for this combination. I don't want to jump ship to a new ecosystem if I don't have to, but Webflow is looking more and more compelling by the day. For those who have used and are knowledgeable on both, what's your preference and why?

5

10 Comments

First Page Impact: SEO Mastery for Salt Lake City Understanding the Salt Lake City SEO Landscape Salt Lake City, a thriving metropolis nestled in the heart of Utah, offers a unique blend of technological innovation, outdoor adventure, and cultural richness. This dynamic environment presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses seeking to dominate local search results. To achieve first-page impact and outrank competitors, a comprehensive SEO strategy is essential. Local SEO: Dominating Google Maps Google Maps has become an indispensable tool for consumers seeking local businesses. To climb the ranks and secure a prominent position on the map, focus on the following: * Google My Business (GMB) Optimization: * Claim and verify your GMB listing. * Complete all profile sections accurately and consistently. * Regularly update business information, including hours, address, and phone number. * Encourage customers to leave reviews and respond promptly. * Optimize your GMB profile for relevant keywords and phrases. * Local Citations: * Build a strong online presence by creating consistent citations across various directories and platforms. * Include your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) in all citations. * Prioritize high-authority directories and industry-specific platforms. * Local Directories: * Create listings on local directories like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and Chamber of Commerce. * Optimize listings with relevant keywords and detailed business information. * Geo-Targeted Content: * Create content that specifically targets Salt Lake City and its surrounding areas. * Incorporate local landmarks, events, and neighborhoods into your content. * Use location-based keywords and phrases strategically. Organic SEO: Climbing Google's Search Rankings To achieve organic search dominance in Salt Lake City, implement the following strategies: * Keyword Research: * Identify relevant keywords and phrases that align with your target audience's search intent. * Conduct thorough keyword research to uncover high-volume, low-competition opportunities. * Incorporate long-tail keywords to target specific search queries. * On-Page Optimization: * Optimize website content for relevant keywords. * Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content. * Improve website structure and navigation for better user experience. * Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags. * Technical SEO: * Ensure website speed and mobile-friendliness. * Fix broken links and optimize website architecture. * Submit XML sitemap to search engines. * Improve website security with HTTPS. * Link Building: * Acquire high-quality backlinks from reputable websites. * Build relationships with local influencers and businesses. * Encourage customer reviews and testimonials. * Participate in online forums and communities. * Content Marketing: Firstpageimpact.com

1

As a digital marketer at WSI in Colorado Springs, I constantly seek the latest trends to elevate local businesses. An article from VBOUT outlines vital email marketing trends for 2024 that are highly relevant to medium-sized businesses in our community. ### Key Trends and Their Relevance 1. **Personalization**: Utilizing VBOUT's AI-enabled features can optimize email send times and subject lines, boosting engagement—a critical aspect for fostering strong customer relationships locally. 2. **Dynamic Content**: Customizable experiences on landing pages can significantly improve conversion rates, making marketing efforts more efficient and effective for targeted customer segments. 3. **Social Media Integration**: A unified approach to social media management can extend brand presence across multiple platforms, essential for reaching a broader audience. 4. **Analytics and Reporting**: VBOUT's comprehensive suite allows for data-driven decisions through a unified dashboard, crucial for optimizing marketing strategies. 5. **AI-Powered Automation**: Workflow automations, predictive sending, and sentiment analysis streamline operations, allowing businesses to focus on strategic initiatives. ### Applications for Our Clients 1. **Email Campaigns**: Leverage AI for personalized emails, enhancing engagement and trust. 2. **Social Media Management**: Create a cohesive strategy that aligns social media with email marketing to maintain a robust online presence. 3. **Automation and Analytics**: Implement AI-powered tools for efficient operations and data-driven improvements. 4. **Customer Engagement**: Employ dynamic content to personalize customer

2

Startups building sales teams in Utah... I’ve talked to >5 founders in the last 30 days that want to build GTM teams here. Makes sense to me... If you're on the fence, here's a handful of reasons to lean in: Note: the culture is uniquely different than most anywhere else. All of these reasons are based on this culture. → Everyone knows everyone. For the most part, it's an extremely small community. Everyone seems to be 1 or maybe 2 degrees removed from someone else. This is deeply rooted in the fact that a good majority spend their Sunday's at church → It's an extremely competitive environment. In a community where a lot of people believe the same thing, drive similar cars, buy similar homes, have the same looking kids... it breeds an extremely competitive environment to stand out. Many attempt to do this with their careers. → Since everyone knows everyone, college grads come with an immediate network. Not just college friends, but people they've networked with their entire lives. This makes recruiting a hell of a lot easier → Since there's an extremely high bar to 'stand out' amongst the crowd, many of the high performers are coming from even higher performer families. This means broader networks and an expectation of their lineage to keep performing high → Many are married young, with kids and a mortgage. I was one of them. 22, married, mortgage and 1st kid on the way. 25, married, two mortgages, 2 kids and a 3rd on the way. This is kinda normal here. You gotta perform early in your career to make it work. What else am I missing? What companies do you know of building GTM teams here? If you're considering building a GTM team in Utah, shoot me a note. Always happy to chat.

31

1 Comment