The Smart Marketer Podcast

🎙️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 (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 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) – launchmagic.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! 🚀

Pep Hufen, CEO of the Smart Marketer Agency and esteemed ads strategist, dives into four groundbreaking Meta updates that are revolutionizing ad strategy. He reveals why the Andromeda update is just the tip of the iceberg, explaining how GEM acts as a predictive 'superbrain' that enhances user insights. Pep highlights the benefits of Meta Lattice in boosting conversions through unified learning and introduces Sequence Learning, which focuses on nurturing one-time buyers into loyal customers. He also shares a tactical playbook to adapt campaigns effectively in the evolving landscape.

Join Molly Pittman, a marketing powerhouse, and Zach Dampier, Smart Marketer's Content Coordinator, as they recap the vibrant Smart Marketer Live 2025 event. They dive into the power of in-person connections, highlighting unforgettable presentations and the family-like atmosphere that made it special. Zach shares secrets on capturing testimonials and building community through unique roundtable sessions, while Molly reflects on insights gained from Meta and TikTok Shop insiders. Discover why this event is a must for marketers!

Unlock the secrets to email marketing success this Q4! Discover why automation vastly outperforms traditional broadcasts and how to quickly update your Welcome, Cart Abandon, and Product Abandon flows for maximum impact. Explore the game-changing ChatGPT feature for instant checkout and learn how to optimize product bundles. Don't miss the high-performing plain-text 'Founder Email' format that builds real connections. It's your essential 60-minute checklist for skyrocketing conversions and boosting sales this holiday season!

Zach Dampier, a dynamic Content Coordinator at Smart Marketer, journeyed from intern to leader, sharing his insights on growth and grit. He emphasizes how starting in customer support builds crucial product knowledge and community trust. Zach discusses his transition to managing diverse content platforms, revealing the balance between hiring for potential versus experience. He also candidly explores the sometimes tricky dynamics of working with family, including teaming up with his wife. His experiences offer valuable lessons on career development and content strategy.

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.

Ben Bennett, Creative Director at Smart Marketer, shares insights from his diverse journey in creative production. He discusses the common misconceptions around creative volume, asserting that more doesn't necessarily lead to better performance. Dive into Meta's evolving AI landscape and why it craves meaningful, varied inputs. Bennett warns about the pitfalls of flawed testing and stresses that the fundamentals of persuasive creative still reign supreme. With a focus on adaptable creative strategies, this conversation is essential for modern marketers.

Episode 240: The Meta Andromeda Update - Why Your Facebook Ads Stopped Working (And What To Do Instead) Meta just launched its biggest algorithm update in years! If your ads started tanking in August, Andromeda could be the reason. In this game-changing episode, Smart Marketer's agency director, Pep Hufen, reveals how Andromeda is reshaping the ad platform from the ground up and what you must do to stay ahead. "Think of it as Meta completely rebuilding the engine of a car while you are still driving it." – Pep Hufen Episode Description Are your Meta ads underperforming lately? You're not alone. In this episode, Pep Hufen breaks down Meta's new Andromeda update; an overhaul of the Facebook Ads engine that's leaving many advertisers behind. From collapsing campaign structures to rethinking creative strategy, this episode gives you the exact playbook Smart Marketer is using to help clients thrive in the new landscape. With millions in monthly ad spend under management, Pep shares real case studies, what's actually working post-Andromeda, and the critical mistakes to avoid if you want to keep acquiring new customers in 2025. You Will Learn: What the Andromeda update is (in plain English) Why your old campaign structure no longer works How creative portfolios, not single ads, are now key The new rule for campaign consolidation (and why it works) Why broad targeting and data density matter more than ever How to prevent Meta from wasting budget on repeat customers Four action steps to future-proof your Meta ad strategy Links & Resources Smart Marketer – smartmarketer.com Smart Marketer Courses – smartmarketer.com/courses Omnisend Email & SMS platform we recommend - (Use code SMART for 50% off first 3 months) Follow Pep on Instagram – @pep_hufen Want help implementing? Contact Smart Marketer Agency Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Pep & The Meta Shake-Up 02:12 – What Is Andromeda? Meta's New Ads Retrieval System 03:58 – Advantage+ Is Now Default: Autopilot Mode Activated 04:46 – Creative Portfolios > Ad Variations 05:41 – Campaign Structure Overhaul: One Campaign Per Offer 06:39 – Why Consolidation Is King & ABOs Are Out 07:27 – Case Study: How Clean East Dropped CPAs by 35% 08:23 – Caution: Andromeda May Kill Your New Customer Acquisition 09:13 – The Fix: Add Exclusions for Site Visitors & Customers 10:03 – Four Things You Must Do Now (Creative, Structure, Backend) 11:00 – Final Thoughts: Volume, Variety, and Velocity Win in 2025 11:59 – Outro: Subscribe, Share, and Serve the World Unselfishly Your Engagement Matters Thank you for tuning in! This podcast thrives because of your support. If you got value from today's episode, please: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts – Click Here Share this episode on social and tag us with #WeOutHere Got feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit!