Most creators have no idea how powerful newsletters are right now. In this episode, you’ll learn why email is outperforming every social platform and how top operators are turning simple weekly emails into six-figure profit machines. Kevin King and Norm Farrar break down their own newsletter playbooks (including selling $4,500 dedicated sends and hitting 62 percent open rates) and sit down with Matt McGarry, widely regarded as the newsletter expert behind The Hustle, HubSpot, and Newsletter Operator. Matt reveals exactly why newsletters outperform every other channel for trust, retention, monetization, and audience ownership. You’ll hear the mistakes beginners make, how to actually grow a newsletter, and what it takes to turn email into a real business. If you’re a marketer, founder, creator, or ecommerce operator, this will change how you think about email forever. What You’ll Learn: • Why newsletters outperform social and YouTube for monetization • How Kevin charges $4,500 per email and sells out months in advance • Newsletter vs. marketing email: the real difference • How Matt built newsletter systems from The Hustle to HubSpot • Why most newsletters fail after 10 issues • How to grow from 0 to thousands of subscribers • How to design newsletters people actually read • Deliverability tactics to stay out of Promotions • How to segment your list for 5–10x higher revenue • How to blend AI with human writing without sounding robotic • Why churn kills paid newsletters and what to do instead • How to use LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to grow email fast • Real-world monetization strategies that actually work in 2025 Chapters 00:00 The Power of Newsletters 00:46 'Email is Dead' Myth 01:43 The Billion Dollar Sellers Newsletter 03:29 Introducing Matt 04:22 Matt's Journey 08:54 Consistency in Newsletters 14:10 Editorial vs. Promotional Emails 27:52 Effective Newsletter Strategies for Beginners 39:57 LinkedIn Newsletters: Are They Worth It? 40:38 LinkedIn Newsletters 43:04 Organic vs. Paid Newsletters 43:18 Challenges of Paid Newsletters 48:26 Newsletter Design Tips 50:29 AI in Newsletter Writing 01:01:24 Deliverability Strategies 01:11:09 Power of Email Segmentation 01:19:55 Final Thoughts This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Misfits, we break down why podcasting is becoming one of the most powerful trust-building tools in the age of AI and how brands can use it to stand out instead of blending into AI sameness. Our guest Eric Ryan went from LinkedIn Live to a cable TV show, built a 19-person podcast production team, and developed a framework for becoming “niche famous” so clients come to you. We dig into: • Why most podcasts die after 7 episodes • How to turn a podcast into a client-acquisition machine • Why you must be omnipresent to win in 2025 • How AI is destroying bad content and elevating real voices • The exact formats, lengths, and clip strategies that perform best • Why “don’t be gentle with your list” is the most important marketing advice you’ll hear • The truth about going viral on TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts • How to become niche-famous (not Joe Rogan famous) and still print money • The #1 thing that separates successful podcasters from quitters If you're building a personal brand, running an agency, launching a show, or trying to build authority online, this episode gives you the playbook. Timestamps 00:00 Why Eric Started a Podcast to Get Clients 01:52 Why Most Creators Fail at Email + Podcasting 03:10 Competing With the Entire Internet (Not Your Industry) 05:12 “Podcasting Makes You Famous” 07:44 Becoming Niche Famous 09:20 How Eric’s LinkedIn Show Led to Cable TV 12:52 Land High-Value Clients 15:31 Editing + Distribution 17:44 Authority vs. Views 21:40 Why TikTok Is Beating Every Platform 24:20 Holding Creators Back 26:10 Being Actually Interesting 28:30 Why Most Interviews Are Terrible 32:18 Building a Multi-Platform Content Engine 35:44 Consistency vs. Perfection 38:05 How Long Should a Podcast Really Be? 41:22 Cutting Content Into Clips That Actually Perform 44:58 Managing Expectations: What “Success” Really Looks Like 49:10 The Hidden Work Nobody Talks About 53:12 The One Strategy Eric Says Will Make You Stand Out 56:40 Should Everyone Start a Podcast in 2025? 59:02 Final Takeaway: Be Different or Be Invisible This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From sourcing 24-karat gold iPhones for Real Madrid stars to navigating the chaotic landscape of new Trump Tariffs, Kian Golzari has seen it all. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with one of the world's leading sourcing experts to break down exactly how smart brands are adapting their supply chains in 2025. Kian reveals his "insider" strategies for legally reducing tariff costs, why the "China +1" strategy is non-negotiable, and the massive mistakes Kickstarter creators make that leave them bankrupt. Plus, find out why top entrepreneurs are flocking to Dubai. 🕒 In This Episode: 00:00 - Sourcing 24k Gold iPhones for Lamine Yamal, Mbappé & Jude Bellingham 04:15 - Sourcing from the Crib: Kian’s early start in China 09:30 - The Tariff Hack: How to split "Product Development" from "Unit Cost" to save thousands 13:45 - China +1 Strategy: When (and where) to move your manufacturing 19:20 - Why you must visit the factory (The "Face-to-Face" Advantage) 26:50 - Direct vs. Sourcing Agents: Which is right for you? 33:10 - The Kickstarter Curse: Why creators fail to deliver (and how to fix it) 45:00 - Currency Exchange Hacks: Using RMB vs. USD to get discounts 51:30 - Why entrepreneurs are moving to Dubai (Tax-free living & safety) 💡 Key Takeaways: The Tariff "Consulting Fee" Strategy: Learn how to separate your R&D costs from your COGS on the commercial invoice to legally lower the value of goods subject to tariffs. Don't Ghost Your Supplier: When tariffs hit, don't panic. Use the "50/50 Split" negotiation tactic to share the burden of rising shipping or tariff costs with your manufacturer. Kickstarter Reality Check: Never launch a crowdfunding campaign without a final production sample in hand. The "Coolest Cooler" disaster is a lesson for everyone. This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits #SourcingTips #ChinaTariffs #AmazonFBA Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode breaks down what’s actually working on YouTube right now, and why most creators still miss it. Marley Jaxx joins Kevin King and Norm Farrar on Marketing Misfits to explain how hooks, open loops, storytelling, and disruption are rewriting the entire playbook for creators, entrepreneurs, and brands. Marley also shares the viral story behind her latest project. She’s selling tickets to her wedding. Yes, really. And it’s blowing up across national news. Inside this episode you’ll learn how she did it, why it works, and how creators can use the same storytelling mechanics to explode their own content, build community, and stand out in an AI-saturated world. If you’re trying to grow on YouTube, turn attention into revenue, or understand why viral moments happen, this conversation is a blueprint. What You’ll Learn: - The real reason hooks matter more than ever - How to build “open loops” that keep people watching - Why search-based content alone doesn’t work anymore - How Marley went viral selling wedding tickets - Disruptive ideas that cut through crowded platforms - Why authenticity beats perfect production - How to survive trolls and negative comments - What YouTube wants in 2025 (and what it punishes) - How to warm up cold audiences without killing retention - Why entrepreneurs must treat YouTube like a long-term asset - When to use ads (and when NOT to) - The truth about 180-day YouTube growth patterns Guest: Marley Jaxx, YouTube strategist, filmmaker, creator, and the viral marketing mind behind the “ticketed wedding” trend. Follow Marley: Instagram: @marleyjaxx YouTube: youtube.com/marleyjaxx Chapters 00:00 What’s Actually Working on YouTube 01:12 The Viral Wedding Ticket Story 04:20 The Misfit Joining the Show 05:02 From Teeth to YouTube 07:45 The Content Strategy Shift 10:18 The Real Hook Formula 12:40 Trolls, Hate, and Staying Sane 14:55 The Video That Blew Up Years Later 16:33 One Channel or Two? 18:08 Driving Traffic the Right Way 20:31 YouTube Mistakes People Keep Making 22:44 Selling Tickets to Your Wedding 26:10 AI vs Human Content This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

AI isn’t coming. It’s here. And most e-commerce brands are sleepwalking straight into extinction. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King talk with Lutz Finger, Cornell faculty member, AI researcher, and former Google & LinkedIn exec, about how AI is rewriting the rules of e-commerce, branding, and marketing. Lutz breaks down what 99% of sellers don’t understand: ChatGPT and Perplexity are the new gatekeepers of visibility. Aggregators like Amazon and Google? Their model is breaking. You’ll learn: ✅ Why brands that rely on Amazon will vanish. ✅ What “Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)” means and how to rank in AI results. ✅ Why AI-generated content can hurt your visibility. ✅ How real human communities are the new algorithm hack. ✅ What OpenAI’s deal with Walmart means for sellers. ✅ The 3 things every brand must do before 2026 to survive. Featuring: 🎙️ Lutz Finger – Head of AI at XGen AI, Cornell University Faculty 🎙️ Hosts: Norm Farrar & Kevin King 00:00 Introduction to Chat GPT in Investment Management 00:50 Welcome to Marketing Misfits 01:00 Discussion on AI and Coffee 01:17 The Evolution of AI Terminology 01:53 The Rise of AI in Agencies 02:21 Introducing the Guest Speaker 04:31 Guest Speaker's Background and Experience 06:42 The Impact of AI on E-commerce 12:15 The Future of AI in Various Industries 29:19 The Role of AI in Marketing 32:31 Debt Quality and Control 32:52 The Pitfalls of AI-Generated Content 33:20 Model Decline Explained 34:50 Influencer Marketing with Stack Influence 35:49 Human vs AI-Generated Content 39:28 Novelty in AI Training 41:28 Building Brand Authority 46:35 The Future of Brand Communities 51:40 Adoption of AI in E-commerce 54:54 Avoiding Shiny Object Syndrome 57:29 Final Thoughts and Outro This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Former eCommerce powerhouse Mike Jackness went from owning multiple 7-figure Amazon brands to running one of the fastest-growing YouTube gambling channels in Las Vegas. In this episode of Marketing Misfits, hosts Norm Farrar and Kevin King unpack how Mike turned his decades of Amazon and affiliate marketing experience into a completely new media business and how it’s already breaking even in just six months. You’ll learn: ✅ Why Mike sold all his Amazon brands and what he saw coming before tariffs hit again ✅ How he built a content machine that posts daily long-form videos + multiple Shorts ✅ The monetization math behind YouTube RPMs, merch sales, and sponsorships ✅ What it really takes to build a loyal community (and why women over 50 are driving his views) ✅ Why owning your audience email, community, and content is the ultimate business asset Featuring: 🎙️ Mike Jackness – Former eCommerce CEO, creator of Desert Degens 🎙️ Hosts: Norm Farrar & Kevin King 00:00 The Pivot No One Expected 01:40 Meet Mike Jackness 03:52 Million-Dollar Affiliate Days 05:43 From Affiliates to Amazon 08:14 Amazon Reality Check 16:23 Building Superfans Online 26:44 Gambling on YouTube 39:11 Selling for Freedom 39:34 What YouTube Really Pays 42:08 Daily Grind of Creation 43:49 Personality Over Perfection 45:12 Who’s Actually Watching 47:24 Expanding Beyond YouTube 53:20 Turning Fans Into Buyers 58:18 What’s Next for Degens 01:04:09 Lessons for Every Creator This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when a Canadian entrepreneur flips broken PlayStations into millions, gets a $10M buyout, then loses almost half to taxes and builds again? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with Peter Kostandenou to uncover the highs, lows, and lessons of his unconventional journey from eBay hustler to tech exec. Peter shares how he: - Accidentally went viral on TikTok by falling asleep as a DJ 🎧 - Scaled Hostopia from $3M to $60M and sold to Deluxe for $124M 💰 - Built a full AI marketing suite (Mopro) for local businesses 📈 - Lost $4M from bad tax planning — and what he’d do differently 🧾 - Built an offline car club community to test real-world brand loyalty 🏎️ You’ll learn: - Why Google and ChatGPT rely on real reviews and social signals to rank your business - The critical difference between automation and AI agents - What GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) means for your SEO strategy in 2025 - How to build trust signals through structured data, social media, and review responses - What a roofing contractor can teach you about the power of a single bad review This episode is packed with branding gems, ecommerce evolution, and raw business truth. If you’re an entrepreneur, agency owner, or tech builder, you need this one. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:43 A Tech Entrepreneur's Journey 09:38 The PlayStation 2 Resale Success Story 21:38 The Rise of Hostopia 31:47 The Evolution of Small Business Marketing 34:04 The Future of Websites: AI and Social Media 35:14 The Role of AI in Content Consumption 40:06 The Importance of Reviews for Small Businesses 42:46 Effective Review Strategies for Local Businesses 49:35 Managing Negative Comments and Social Mentions 58:29 Automation vs AI: Understanding the Difference 01:01:27 Branding Stories: Car Club and DJing 01:09:48 Final Thoughts This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of Marketing Misfits, documentary filmmaker and storytelling expert Rain Bennett joins Norm Farrar and Kevin King to unpack why authentic storytelling is more valuable than ever. With AI flooding content channels, your voice and human emotion are what set your brand apart. Rain shares: - The power of short-form storytelling (and what a 6-second story actually looks like) - Why over-leveraging AI will make your brand blend in - How storytelling builds trust, connection, and conversions - Frameworks to write more compelling brand stories - Real examples from marketing, newsletters, and public speaking - The truth about AI-generated content and how to use it right Whether you're launching an e-commerce brand, growing your newsletter, building a personal brand, or pitching on stage , storytelling is the skill that cuts through the noise. ⚠️ Don’t let AI strip your voice away. Learn how to inject your story back into your content strategy today. 📘 Guest: Rain Bennett - Author of Six Second Stories - Host of The Storytelling Lab Podcast - Creator of award-winning documentaries Learn more: rainbennett.com (http://rainbennett.com) 🎧 Listen. Learn. Misfit. Chapter 00:00 The Power of Storytelling in the AI Era 00:49 Introduction to Marketing Misfits 00:55 Kevin's College Football Anecdote 02:34 The Role of Storytelling in Marketing 03:13 Introducing Rain Bennett 04:55 Rain Bennett's Journey into Storytelling 09:00 The Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking 11:13 The Importance of Human Touch in Storytelling 16:12 The Art of Engaging Storytelling 30:48 The Six-Second Story Concept 36:42 Brand Storytelling and Authenticity 38:04 Serial vs. Episodic Shows 38:20 The Art of Storytelling in Branding 39:46 The Importance of Origin Stories 40:33 Storytelling for the Audience 44:19 The Ice Cream Anecdote 46:54 Effective Storytelling Techniques 56:01 Engaging Your Audience with Stories 59:27 The Power of Practice This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Is retail really dead? In this episode of Marketing Misfits, Norm Farrar and Kevin King sit down with three powerhouse guests who prove otherwise, Doug Harding from Wholesaleretaildistribution.com (http://Wholesaleretaildistribution.com) , Kirk Hyust from Turbo Trusser (a Shark Tank deal with Kevin O’Leary), and GC Brown, founder of UpCup Koffee, a fast-growing functional mushroom coffee brand. You’ll hear how these brands are cracking into Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, QVC, and big-box retail, even in a world dominated by Amazon. From the truth about what retailers actually want to surprising insights about shelf space, product packaging, and the growing role of AI in retail decisions, this episode is packed with must-know info. 🚨 You’ll learn: - Why 90% of purchases still happen offline - How Kevin O’Leary helped close a deal the same day it aired on Shark Tank - What mushroom coffee brands must do to survive retail - How a single $50K PR mistake nearly sunk a startup - The power of predictive buying and how AI is changing retail strategy forever - Why most Amazon sellers are NOT ready for retail—and how to fix that - How to actually build brand equity off Amazon The mindset shift every seller needs to go from ecom to retail Whether you’re an Amazon seller, brand owner, or product inventor looking to scale into physical stores, this episode is your wake-up call. Retail isn’t dead—it’s just evolved. 📍 Want to go from Amazon to big-box retail? Learn what works, what doesn’t, and who can actually help you get on shelves. Timestamps 00:00 Is Retail Dead? 01:43 Retail vs. E-commerce 03:14 Introducing the Guests 04:27 State of Retail Today 06:44 The Turbo Trusser Story 08:00 UPC Cup Coffee Journey 13:48 Marketing Strategies for Retail 24:47 Shark Tank Experience 35:07 Building an Audience 39:36 Social Media and Influencer Marketing 41:03 Financing Challenges for Small Brands 47:09 Kevin O'Leary's Involvement Post-Shark Tank 59:00 Retail Trends and AI 01:09:09 The Value of Patience in Business This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From flipping used car parts to launching a viral Chrome extension, Kim Dang has done it all. In this episode of Marketing Misfits with Norm Farrar and Kevin King, Kim reveals how she built and sold multiple businesses including automating a wrecking yard, traveling the world while earning passive income, and building GroupConvert, a Chrome extension that turned Facebook group answers into a thriving SaaS funnel. You’ll hear how she turned a $380 Upwork job into $5M in revenue, the truth about scaling with integrators, how she avoids burnout with systemized execution, and her unique Shopify offer that’s changing the game for non-technical entrepreneurs. Kim breaks down automation, delegation, high-ticket funnels, and unconventional marketing with raw honesty and infectious energy. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, coach, course creator, or SaaS builder. This episode is PACKED with insights. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: - How Kim turned a Chrome extension into a recurring income machine - The importance of integrators in scaling online businesses - Bootstrapping vs. venture-backed tools - From car parts to coaching: Kim’s step-by-step evolution - Why masterminds + systems = momentum - B2C drop-shipping with a high-ticket twist - Tips for managing global teams while traveling - Rock climbing, Craigslist shoes, and living with freedom 📺 Watch if you’re into: Entrepreneurship, SaaS business models, Facebook groups, community building, Amazon FBA, Shopify stores, digital products, chrome extensions, high-ticket sales, automations, productivity tools, and lifestyle businesses. 🔔 Subscribe for more stories like this every Tuesday on Marketing Misfits! Chapters 00:00 Facebook Automation Hack 04:22 Organic Growth Funnel Strategy 08:41 High-Converting Email Blast Tactics 14:00 Ebook Offer That Drove Sales 19:52 Brand Storytelling With Hook Products 24:08 Passive Income With Automation 29:10 Risks of Building on Rented Platforms 33:13 Building a Chrome Extension Business 38:14 Live Demo: Instant Scraper Tool 42:22 Buying a Resort 47:29 Client Testimonials for Proof of Concept 52:34 Hiring an Integrator to Scale 56:38 Monetizing Communities for Growth 01:02:16 Offering Shopify Services 01:07:44 Selling Digital Assets Online 01:12:19 YouTube Ads for Course Creators 01:16:44 Join the Marketing Misfits Community This episode is brought to you by: - Sellerboard: https://sellerboard.com/misfits - House of AMZ: Elevate your brand today at https://www.amazonseo.com/ - 8fig: Get 25% off 8fig off at https://8fig.co - Stack Influence: Use code MISFITS for 10% off at https://stackinfluence.com/ - Levanta: Get 20% off Levanta's gold plan and book your call today - https://get.levanta.io/misfits Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.