From digital marketing specialists to business advisors to Shopify experts to entrepreneurs to these men and women share what most resonates for them both professionally and personally as they consider the learnings they will carry with them into 2021.
Jess Schoberg: The focus for next year is expanding integrations with various platforms to support teaching platforms with subscription services, addressing the challenge of maintaining a blog for course creators, and leveraging partnerships to reach a wider audience in the growth phase.
Elle McCann:
In 2020, I began with well-laid plans and the intention of being consistent, but the year unfolded unpredictably, prompting me to adopt "flexible" as my new mantra. The businesses successfully navigating the pandemic are those adept at pivoting and finding new perspectives, and as someone with a decade of business experience, I've learned valuable lessons in rolling with the punches, accepting realities, and embracing necessary pivots to move forward.
Tim Hughes: In 2020, the way business operates has fundamentally changed. Living in London, I've witnessed a shift where physical presence for international meetings is no longer expected, leading to a more efficient use of time. The pandemic has slowed down the pace of life, allowing for personal growth and a reevaluation of priorities. The expectation is that remote work will become the norm, with only essential in-person presence. Despite biases, I've observed an increase in online activity, particularly in social selling, contributing to a broader digital transformation that might be underestimated in its magnitude. The eCommerce surge during the last three months alone equaled the digital transformation of the past decade, highlighting the profound and ongoing changes in how we conduct business.
Brad Wayland: In our outlook for 2021, we anticipate a surge in business for us due to the positive impact of COVID on online businesses, making it a banner year for selling. The theory is that many businesses, having benefited from the pandemic, will seek to capitalize on their newfound success, especially with private equity showing a rapid interest in eCommerce. The flight to safety in eCommerce is accelerating, and the fast-forward effect of the pandemic seems poised to expedite the decline of traditional retail while boosting internet businesses. We expect 2021 to witness a significant influx of both sellers and participants in the electronic commerce landscape.
Joanna Steele: On a personal note, my recent six-month sabbatical underscored the importance of seizing opportunities promptly, as circumstances can change rapidly. In the realm of eCommerce digital marketing, the enduring prominence of user-generated content (UGC), particularly on platforms like TikTok, showcases its sustained relevance. This year solidifies the permanence of established platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, with emerging ones likely introducing innovative features to vie for user attention.
Simon Driscoll: I've discovered the power of upselling, realizing that selling additional products to the same customer can significantly boost the bottom line by 30-40%. Content marketing has also proven effective for me, with YouTube videos and blog posts gaining traction. Inspired by successful beauty companies, I plan to ramp up my content marketing efforts next year for a stronger brand presence.
Kath Pay:
In reflecting on the current climate, I've realized the importance of appreciating what we have and fostering empathy in our interactions, both personally and in email marketing. While I've been fortunate, acknowledging the struggles of others has become a life lesson. This extends to email marketing, where a customer-centric and empathetic approach has become crucial in 2020. Brands embracing this perspective are not only providing immediate benefits but are also building lasting relationships and standing out in the long run.
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Just like this eCommerce Podcast episode, each Sprint is themed-based. So using this topic of Everything You Need To Know About Subscription eCommerce as an example - here's how it would work:
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- Week Two: Expert Workshop -> Everything You Need To Know About Subscription eCommerce.
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Matt has been involved in eCommerce since 2002. His websites have generated over $50m in worldwide sales, and his coaching clients have a combined turnover of over $100m.