The Smart Marketer Podcast

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Episode 250: Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

Episode 250: Scaling Regulated Brands & Building What You Believe In Episode Description

What happens when you mix a viral beverage, a high-compliance industry, and one of the sharpest minds in performance marketing?

In this episode, recorded live at Smart Marketer Live 2025, Nick Shackelford joins Zach Dampier for a candid behind-the-scenes look at building BRĒZ a microdose beverage brand blending THC, functional mushrooms, and adaptogens. From navigating paid media challenges to retail expansion, Nick shares real talk on scaling products you care about, retention strategies that actually work, and why creative still trumps targeting on Meta.

"Our mission is to reduce human suffering and maximize human potential through a better beverage." – Nick Shackelford

You Will Learn:

How to scale a product in a highly regulated category like THC
The exact creative that outperforms for BRĒZ (hint: it's not what you expect)
Why retail is still essential, even for DTC brands
A smarter way to build LTV from first purchase to loyal customer
Why "broad targeting" is Meta's new reality
Nick's bold prediction about AI-generated content and Meta's next big move

Links & Resources

Smart Marketer Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale – smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025
BRĒZ Beverage – drinkbrez.com
Nick Shackelford on Instagram – @iamnickshackelford
Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Instagram – @smartmarketerig – Follow Us
Instagram – @mollypittmandigital – Follow Molly
Omnisend (Email & SMS Tool) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Nick Shackelford joins live at Smart Marketer Live 02:46 – Nick's journey & how BRĒZ was born 04:08 – From agency life to brand ownership 05:27 – Navigating compliance in regulated industries (like THC) 07:19 – Cultural shifts: The rise of non-alcoholic social beverages 09:35 – Why retail still wins: "Cans in hands" matters 10:42 – The creative that outperformed all ads: A real customer call 12:35 – LTV & retention: How to optimize post-purchase flow 14:21 – The most common mistake in paid ads (and what Meta reps say now) 16:25 – What fuels Nick's team: Mission, movement, and remote hustle 19:10 – Full-circle moment: How pirated Ezra content sparked Nick's career 22:51 – Purpose & product: Nick's take on meaningful business 24:38 – Bold prediction: Meta's new "Vibes" AI feed & where it's heading 27:28 – Closing thoughts: Reaffirmation bubbles, dual realities & what's next

Call to Action

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 249 of the Smart Marketer Podcast! 🎧

If this episode brought you value:

✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share it with your network and tag us – use #WeOutHere 💬 Questions or feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

💥 Take advantage of our biggest sale of the year – Save up to 60% during the Smart Marketer BFCM Sale + get two bonus gifts. Ends December 4, 2025. → smartmarketer.com/BFCM-2025

And remember: Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 2 Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

🎙️Episode 249: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy – Part 2

(with Ben Bennett)

📝 Episode Description

Want more winning ads with less guesswork? In Part 2 of this creative strategy masterclass, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, takes you behind the scenes of a real ad campaign to show how small, intentional changes to your message and creative experience can lead to major performance gains on Meta.

Forget pumping out 20 random creatives a week. Ben shows you how to scale creative purposefully by testing strategic variables like persona, tone, and setting instead of scrambling to change formats.

"With the right variables, small changes become big changes. That's real creative strategy." – Ben Bennett

This episode is packed with examples, frameworks, and a fresh way to approach Meta's evolving algorithm by focusing on people first.

✅ You Will Learn

How to turn one winning hook into multiple high-performing ads
Why Meta's algorithm rewards creative diversity based on experience
What variables matter most: persona, setting, tone (not just format)
How to create "purposeful volume" instead of creative noise
Why human-first strategy beats algorithm-chasing every time
A repeatable system for long-term creative testing & scaling

🔗 Links & Resources

Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Smart Marketer Agency – smartmarketeragency.com
Omnisend (Email & SMS tool) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend 👉 Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months

⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Welcome back: What You'll Learn in Part 2 01:00 – Ezra Firestone's Omnisend Shoutout: "That's how much I trust that platform." 02:04 – Ad Case Study: 3 Winning Ads, Same Hook, Different Experiences 03:54 – How Changing One Variable (like persona) Unlocked Higher Performance 06:52 – From Winning Image → UGC Video: Building Iterations with Confidence 07:41 – Persona Shift: Human Activity vs. Human Connection 08:58 – Why Format Isn't Strategy (And What Actually Is) 10:05 – Why People First > Algorithm First Creative 11:01 – The Real Director of Meta's Algorithm? Humans. 12:08 – Purposeful Volume: How to Test Strategically 13:02 – Final Thoughts: Real Creative Strategy is Human-First 14:01 – Outro & YouTube Shoutout

📣 Your Engagement Matters!

Thanks for listening to The Smart Marketer Podcast! If this episode helped shift your thinking, do us a favor:

✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode on social & tag us with #WeOutHere 💌 Got feedback or a question? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 248: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 1 Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Episode 248: The Meta Algorithm Shift: How to Adapt Your Creative Strategy - Part 1

(with Ben Bennett)

📝 Episode Description

What's really going on with Meta's latest algorithm update?

In this must-listen episode, Smart Marketer's Director of Creative, Ben Bennett, breaks down what the Andromeda update means for advertisers and how to adjust your creative strategy to keep winning in 2025.

"If we can take creative and make that our advantage, then it's like AI to the speed of sound." – Ben Bennett

Ben shares the four-step framework he uses daily to build high-performing creative and explains why Meta's new system favors marketers who understand message, tone, and audience experience; not just volume.

Plus, you'll hear why obsessing over technical formats like video vs. image is not where performance starts.

Part 2 drops next week and will go deeper into examples, production tips, and AI workflows.

✅ You Will Learn:

What the Meta Andromeda update changes for creative strategy
How to avoid "creative noise" and create performance-driven diversity
Why your best ads still dominate spend (and how to find more like them)
The four-step process Smart Marketer uses with agency clients
What variables actually matter when planning diverse creatives
Why starting with your best-performing hook changes everything

🔗 Links & Resources

Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com
Smart Marketer Agency – https://smartmarketeragency.com
Omnisend Email Tool – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use coupon code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months)

⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Intro: Why You Need to Rethink Your Creative Strategy 01:16 – Ezra Firestone on Omnisend: "That's how much I trust that platform..." 02:19 – Meta's Andromeda Update: "It's not just more creative." 03:17 – Is 20 Ads/Week Really Necessary? What the Data Shows 06:01 – "The thing that I think is really awesome about this algorithm is that it helps those with better creative win." 07:51 – Creative Volume vs. Creative Clarity: "They have lost touch on what's working and what's not." 09:40 – Step 1: Choose Your Best Performing Hook 11:20 – Case Study: Good Riddance Natural Insect Repellent 13:02 – Step 2: Build an Experience Around the Hook 14:01 – The Role of Tone, Setting, and Persona in Ad Performance 16:49 – How Demographics and POV Impact Results 18:33 – Match Your Creative to Viewer Behavior on Facebook 19:28 – 3 Example Creative Plans Using the Framework 20:31 – Step 3: Add Technical Variables (Format, Length, Placement) 21:51 – Final Framework: "When a hook and experience have a baby, they make an ad."

📣 Your Engagement Matters!

If this episode gave you a new perspective on creative strategy, we'd love to hear from you.

✅ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Questions or feedback? Email us: support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 247: Revolutionizing Recurring Revenue with Supliful's Game-Changing Consumables Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Episode 247: Revolutionizing Recurring Revenue with Supliful's Game-Changing Consumables Episode Description

"You're literally solving the biggest problem in business right now." – Molly Pittman

What if you could add high-margin, recurring revenue products to your business without worrying about inventory, cash flow, or manufacturing? In this episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Martins Lasmanis, CEO of Supliful; a platform that makes launching white-label consumables as easy as clicking a button. Whether you sell physical products, run a digital business, or want to boost LTV, this is the growth strategy you didn't know you needed.

Martins shares why everyone will be selling consumables in the next two years, how micro-brands are eating up market share, and how Supliful uses AI to suggest the perfect product for your audience.

💡 You Will Learn:

How to add a supplement, coffee, or skincare product to your offer in minutes
Why recurring revenue is critical for scaling in today's market
The "print on demand" model for consumables (with no upfront cost)
Why micro-brands are thriving (and how you can join them)
How AI is making product launches faster, smarter, and easier
The one mistake that kills repeat sales—and how to fix it fast
What certifications and compliance actually matter in this space
Real case study: $1.7M in added revenue in just 3 months!

🔗 Links & Resources

Supliful – supliful.com
Launch Magic (AI product recommendations) – l aunchmagic.ai
Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Omnisend (SMS & Email) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend – Use code SMART for 50% off
Instagram – @smartmarketerig, @mollypittmandigital

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Intro from Anthony: Supliful solves a BIG problem 01:17 – Ezra's endorsement: Why we love Omnisend 02:20 – Meet Martins: From posters to profitable consumables 04:33 – How Supliful removes ALL the friction of launching new products 05:33 – The problem with non-recurring products (and how to fix it) 06:33 – Why consumables are the next big thing for all business models 07:47 – The rise of micro-brands and personalized offers 09:03 – Consumer behavior shift: Buying shampoo and cold brew online 10:55 – How easy is it to launch a supplement? (Hint: very) 12:21 – AI-powered product recommendations based on your brand 13:27 – No inventory, no problem: How Supliful's model works 14:21 – Already selling skincare or supplements? Here's why it still makes sense 15:11 – Hot categories for 2026: Coffee, functional products, and more 16:00 – Niche targeting with broad-market products 16:29 – Case Study: From 20 to 20,000 orders per month 18:16 – Why quality and transparency are non-negotiable 20:00 – Why now is the time to add recurring products 21:19 – Final thoughts: This is a win-win-win model 22:28 – Outro: Rate, review, and thank you for listening!

🙌 Call to Action

Enjoyed this episode? Please take a moment to support the show:

📢 Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share this episode and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 246: Beyond Andromeda - 4 Meta Ad Updates Every Marketer Needs to Know (With Pep Hufen) Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

🎙️ Episode 246: Beyond Andromeda: 4 Meta Ad Updates Every Marketer Needs to Know Episode Description

Everyone's talking about the Meta Andromeda update like it's the only thing that matters. But in this power-packed solo episode, Smart Marketer Agency CEO Pep Hufen breaks down four essential Meta updates that are redefining ad performance and why focusing on just one is a costly mistake.

"These aren't small changes or tweaks. They completely rebuild the ad system from the ground up." - Pep Hufen

Pep explains how each update; GEM, Lattice, Andromeda and Sequence Learning, works individually and together as one powerful AI-driven system. Whether you're an agency pro or eComm brand owner, you'll learn how to adapt your strategy now to win big in the new Meta landscape.

🚀 You Will Learn:

Why the Meta Andromeda update is only 25% of what really matters
How GEM gives Meta "superbrain" insights that predict user behavior
What Meta Lattice is and how it boosts conversions with unified learning
How Sequence Learning turns one-time buyers into loyal customers
The tactical playbook for adapting your campaigns in 2025
Why you're no longer competing on product, but on understanding the entire buyer journey

🔗 Links & Resources:

Meta's Official Documentation on the 4 Updates • Meta Andromeda: Next-Gen Personalized Ads Retrieval Engine • Sequence Learning: A Paradigm Shift for Personalized Ads • Meta Lattice: AI, Ads, and Performance • Meta GEM Overview via Social Discovery Insights
Andromeda Deep Dive Episode (Pep reference) Podcast version YouTube version
Pep Hufen – Instagram @pep.hufen
Omnisend Email & SMS Platform – smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months
SmartMarketer.com

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro by Anthony: 4 Updates That Are Redefining Meta Ads 02:12 – Pep's Hot Take: Why Andromeda is Only One Piece of the Puzzle 02:56 – Update 1: GEM – Meta's AI Superbrain for Prediction and Targeting 03:42 – Update 2: Lattice – Unified Learning Across Campaign Objectives 04:32 – Update 3: Andromeda – 10,000x More Targeting Power 06:00 – Update 4: Sequence Learning – Mapping the Entire Buyer's Journey 08:31 – Tactical Breakdown: How to Build for Each System 09:28 – The Shift from Product to Full-Journey Strategy 10:12 – The Playbook: What You Need to Do Now 11:07 – Outro and Engagement Reminder

📣 Your Engagement Matters

If this episode opened your eyes to what's really happening with Meta ads, do us a favor:

✅ Follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts 📲 Share the episode and tag us with #WeOutHere 💬 Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! 🚀

Episode 245: Smart Marketer Live 2025 Recap (with Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier) Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Episode 245: Smart Marketer Live 2025 Recap (with Molly Pittman and Zach Dampier) Episode Description

"We knew we wanted the best information out there in the space, that's a given, but we wanted this to feel like a family atmosphere." - Molly Pittman

In this episode, Molly and Zach Dampier take you behind the scenes of Smart Marketer Live 2025 from packed roundtables and unforgettable presentations to Denver bowling nights and real-life connections that made it all magic. Whether you were there or tuning in from afar, this recap captures the insight, energy, and community that made Smart Marketer Live 2025 unforgettable.

You Will Learn:

• Why Smart Marketer Live is unlike any other marketing event • How the roundtable sessions created powerful business breakthroughs • The smartest way to gather testimonials and social proof • What Molly learned from Meta and TikTok Shop insiders • The secret to running high-impact content collection on-site • Why this event is a must-attend for remote marketers and entrepreneurs

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Smart Marketer – https://smartmarketer.com • Mentor Table Mastermind – https://smartmarketer.com/mentor-table • Molly Pittman – https://mollypittman.com • Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue – https://www.instagram.com/fieldsoffreedomrescue • Omnisend – https://smartmarketer.com/omnisend • Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months • YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@SmartMarketerYT

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Welcome and What to Expect 03:55 – Behind the Scenes: Content Creation, Testimonials, and Team Wins 07:08 – Why Live Events Still Matter (and What Made This One Special) 08:41 – Session Highlights: TikTok Shop, Meta Ads, Tactical Baby Gear 09:45 – Roundtable Strategy and Why It Was a Game-Changer 11:00 – Real Talk at the Social Media Table: Misconceptions and Wins 13:46 – The Vibe: Parties, Friendships, and Unexpected Connections 18:50 – What's Next: Tickets for 2026 and Speaker Interviews Coming Soon 20:30 – What's Next: Interviews With Speakers from SML25

YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to:

✅ Follow and review us on Apple Podcasts: Click Here 📲 Share this episode on social and tag us using #WeOutHere 💌 Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit. 🎉

Episode 244: The 60-Minute Email Fix for Q4 Wins (with John Grimshaw, CMO of Smart Marketer) Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Episode 244: The 60-Minute Email Fix for Q4 Wins

(with John Grimshaw, CMO of Smart Marketer)

Episode Description

"Email isn't dead, it's your fastest path to real profit this Q4." In this episode, John Grimshaw lays out the exact email strategies Smart Marketer is using to maximize results during the busiest time of the year. Learn how to supercharge your automations, craft high-converting messages, and prep your brand for holiday success without spending weeks rewriting flows.

You'll also hear about a game-changing new feature in ChatGPT that's set to shake up eCommerce as we know it: instant checkout. Plus, John shares the highest-performing email format Smart Marketer is using right now (spoiler: it's plain-text and insanely effective).

This is your 60-minute checklist for higher conversions, better inboxing, and more sales fast.

✅ You Will Learn:

Why email automation is 25x more profitable than broadcasts (and most brands neglect it)
How to update your top 3 flows in under an hour: Welcome, Cart Abandon, Product Abandon
The new "Instant Checkout" inside ChatGPT and why you must optimize for it
The single email style outperforming all others: the Founder Email
How to bundle products for better margins and ChatGPT discoverability
Why design-heavy emails can hurt your deliverability, and what to do instead

🔗 Links & Resources

Omnisend (Email & SMS Platform) – smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months
Free Prompt: Plain-Text Founder Email See below for the full prompt shared in the episode
Smart Marketer Blog & Resources – smartmarketer.com/blog
Smart Marketer YouTube – Andromeda Update Video – Watch here
Support & Feedback – support@smartmarketer.com

🕒 Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 – Intro: What's in this episode 01:54 – "Profit leaks" in your Q4 email strategy 03:25 – Email is not dead: It's more powerful than ever 06:06 – Email = telling your best friends what to do 08:14 – Automation is 25x more profitable (and ignored) 09:13 – Where to focus first in your flows 10:38 – This Just In: Instant checkout now inside ChatGPT 13:00 – ChatGPT's impact on eCom gifting & bundles 15:43 – Optimize product feeds + create AI-friendly bundles 20:17 – Your 60-minute action plan: 3 automation updates 22:40 – Flow #1: Welcome – what to fix fast 25:48 – Flow #2: Cart Abandon – how to speed it up 28:24 – Flow #3: Product Abandon – recommendations that convert 30:01 – The "one page" traffic strategy for BFCM 32:02 – Why Smart Marketer switched to Omnisend 34:12 – The power of plain-text: Founder Email breakdown 36:35 – Real campaign results from Founder Emails 38:51 – Best practices: subject, tone, structure, CTA 39:39 – The ChatGPT Founder Email Prompt (full version) 42:00 – Why hybrid email design (text + visuals) wins 43:33 – Real brand case study: doubling email revenue 45:16 – Optimize for inboxing: deliverability > design 46:03 – Full checklist: what to do in the next 60 minutes 47:32 – Closing thoughts & CTA to share the show

📄 The ChatGPT Founder Email Prompt

Plain-Text Founder Email Prompt Write a plain-text "Founder Email" for my brand during Q4. Make it sound personal, human, and conversational, like a message from the founder to a loyal customer. Keep it under 200 words, with one clear CTA and no images or fancy design.

Include:

A warm opening (gratitude, reflection, or behind-the-scenes note).
A short story or insight that builds connection.
A simple offer or bonus (e.g., stackable discount or early access).
A friendly close with light urgency ("ends soon" / "thank you for supporting us").

Tone: Authentic, human, and direct — like a Gmail message from a friend.

Goal: Drive clicks through trust and relatability, not polish or visuals.

Output Format: • Subject: [5–7 words, personal & curious] • From: [Founder Name at Brand] • Body:

Ask me any questions to help make the results stronger.

📣 Call to Action

Enjoyed this episode? Do us a favor:

Follow & Subscribe to The Smart Marketer Show on your favorite podcast platform.
Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
Share this episode on social and tag us @smartmarketer using #WeOutHere
Send your founder email draft to support@smartmarketer.com for feedback

🚀 Email isn't dead, it just needs your attention. Take 60 minutes, follow the plan, and set yourself up for the best Q4 yet.

Episode 243: From Intern to Content Leader - Zach Dampier on Growth, Grit, and Working with Family Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Episode 243: From Intern to Content Leader - Zach Dampier on Growth, Grit, and Working with Family Episode Description

What does it take to go from intern to indispensable? In this episode, Smart Marketer CEO Molly Pittman interviews Content Coordinator Zach Dampier; her cousin and long-time teammate about his inspiring journey from college intern to running all of Smart Marketer's organic content.

Zach shares what he's learned along the way about content strategy, working in customer support, building a career with no roadmap, and navigating family dynamics inside a fast-paced business.

"A marketing degree is nice, but it's definitely not needed for this industry." - Zach Dampier

Whether you're building a team or building your own career, this episode is full of honest insights, practical advice, and a refreshing look at what it means to grow with a company over time.

You Will Learn:

How to spot and nurture long-term team members with high potential
Why starting in customer support is the smartest entry point into any business
How Zach transitioned from intern to leader without formal job titles
The pros (and real talk) about working with family
Why managing content across multiple platforms is about more than just volume
A fresh take on hiring: when to invest in experience vs. potential

Links & Resources:

Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
Instagram – @smartmarketer
Instagram – @mollypittmandigital
Fields of Freedom Dog Rescue – fofdogrescue.com
Omnisend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use coupon code SMART for 50% off your first 3 months)

Timestamps (Chapters):

00:00 – Intro from Anthony + Why This Episode Matters 02:04 – Meet Zach: From Intern to Key Team Member 06:00 – How a High School Elective Sparked a Marketing Career 08:35 – Zach's Early Intern Tasks: Ads, Reports & Client Research 11:33 – Why Starting in Support Built Zach's Foundation 17:42 – Transitioning to Content & Social Media Strategy 21:40 – The Power of Hiring for Potential, Not Just Experience 24:32 – Working with Family: Real Talk & Lessons Learned 28:52 – What It's Like to Work with Your Spouse 31:56 – Reflecting on Smart Marketer's Growth (2019–2025) 34:58 – What's Next: Scaling YouTube and Mentoring Interns 36:55 – Decoding Gen Z Slang for the Workplace 38:10 – Zach's Final Thoughts & Smart Marketer Live Shout-Out

Your Engagement Matters!

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please support the show:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
📲 Share this episode on social media and tag us @smartmarketer
💬 Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

Episode 242: The Truth About Creative Volume, Meta's Shift, and What Still Works (Part 2 with Ben Bennett) Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Episode 242: The Truth About Creative Volume, Meta's Shift, and What Still Works (Part 2 with Ben Bennett) Episode Description

In this second part of their deep-dive conversation, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer's Creative Director Ben Bennett to map out the exact creative systems used to produce dozens of high-performing ads every single month.

From team structure to tooling to hook variation strategies, Ben shares how Smart Marketer builds volume without sacrificing quality. You'll hear how they hire and test for the Creative Strategist role, why UGC needs a better incentive model, and how tools like ClickUp help make the whole system run.

"We've figured out how to multiply creative without multiplying chaos and this is how we do it." – Molly Pittman

You Will Learn:

Why your team could need a Creative Operations Manager
The 3 creative styles we use: Snack, Impact, Tailored
How AI is supporting (but not replacing) production
How to multiply a single hook into 24+ ad variations
Why ClickUp is the backbone of our creative ops
How we test and hire for Creative Strategist roles
Why incentivizing UGC creators is the next big opportunity

Links & Resources

Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Smart Marketer Agency – smartmarketeragency.com
Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
Omnisend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend Use code: SMART for 50% off your first 3 months
Alexander's Talent Agency – gottlnt.com
Past Episodes Featuring Ben Bennett: • The Truth About Creative Volume, Meta's Shift, and What Still Works • Winning Ad Creative: What Works Now & How to Measure It • How to Make High-Converting UGC Ads • How to Get the Best Possible Creative Help for Your Business • How Flexible Use Content Can Help You With Your Creatives
ClickUp – clickup.com
Instagram – @smartmarketer | @mollypittmandigital

Timestamps

00:00 – Anthony intro + Omnisend offer 01:59 – Why creative volume is today's biggest question 03:36 – The underrated role: Creative Operations Manager 07:07 – Step 1: Research and why it still matters 10:29 – What we look for in Creative Strategists (and how we test them) 12:18 – Hiring success through Alexander's Talent Agency 14:02 – The "Creative Prism" framework explained 17:12 – Using AI to expand from 4 to 24 variations 21:07 – Snack, Impact, and Tailored: the 3 styles that work 25:48 – How we use ClickUp to manage high-volume production 31:21 – Reviewing performance data and planning the next round 40:11 – What's next: Creator incentives, agency collaboration, and scaling systems

Your Engagement Matters

If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love your support:

Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
Share it on social and tag us with #SmartMarketerPodcast
Have questions or feedback? Email us at: support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the world unselfishly and profit.

Episode 241: The Truth About Creative Volume, Meta's Shift, and What Still Works Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Episode 241: The Truth About Creative Volume, Meta's Shift, and What Still Works Episode Description

Everyone's talking about creative volume but more doesn't always mean better. In this honest, behind-the-scenes conversation, Molly Pittman and Smart Marketer's Creative Director Ben Bennett unpack the current state of paid creative in a post-Andromeda world.

From team leadership to what Meta is really optimizing for, this is the high-level conversation marketers need right now.

"You're never going to put the wrong image in front of the right person and get a conversion." – Ben Bennett

You'll learn why more assets don't equal better performance and how to feed the algorithm with the signals it actually needs.

You Will Learn

Why creative volume is being misunderstood in the current media landscape
What Meta actually wants from your assets (and what it ignores)
Why the wrong kind of testing can kill your ROAS
The myth of "scaling through background color changes"
How to structure a creative team that can adapt and win
Why the best creative still comes down to fundamentals of persuasion
How Smart Marketer is evolving its agency model for better performance

Links & Resources

Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com
Smart Marketer Agency - smartmarketeragency.com/
Molly Pittman – mollypittman.com
Instagram – @smartmarketer | @mollypittmandigital
Omnisend – smartmarketer.com/omnisend (Use code SMART for 50% off)

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome from Anthony: New two-part series with Molly & Ben 01:12 – Ezra shares why he trusts Omnisend for email & SMS 02:15 – Live from Danville: Meet Ben Bennett & his creative journey 04:04 – From Spanish degree to Smart Marketer: Ben's origin story 07:21 – Why understanding media buying makes better creatives 08:48 – How Meta's shift toward AI impacts your creative strategy 10:26 – The "hungry machine" problem: Feeding Meta with meaning 12:22 – The high cost of low-quality volume 14:22 – Creative testing ≠ slapping on a new background color 17:53 – What Meta actually needs: Real variation & signal 20:34 – How Ben leads his team through creative pressure & change 23:29 – Stop chasing "perfect"—start getting adaptive 25:55 – Why creative is now the currency of performance 27:59 – Integrating creative into the media buying process 30:26 – Final thoughts: Trust the fundamentals, stay fluid

Your Engagement Matters

Thank you for listening! Your support helps this podcast thrive. If you enjoyed this episode, please:

Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts → Click here
Share this episode on social and tag us using #WeOutHere
Email feedback or questions to support@smartmarketer.com

Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit.

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