Customer-Centric Branding with Bryan Alston - 86

December 13, 2023

In this episode of the D2Z Podcast, Brandon Amoroso explores the world of eCommerce and brand building with Bryan Alston, co-founder and managing partner at Brand Castle Growth Partners. With 12 years of experience in launching and scaling eCommerce startups, Bryan shares valuable insights into successful brand development. He emphasizes the shift towards prioritizing customer relationships over platform optimization and the growing importance of personalized marketing.

The conversation delves into budget allocation for top-of-funnel marketing efforts, with Bryan highlighting the significance of understanding your customer base and tailoring strategies accordingly. They discuss the evolving eCommerce landscape, the impact of privacy updates on attribution, and the resurgence of physical retail stores.

Bryan also offers tips for brands preparing for 2024, including exploring Reddit as an advertising channel and considering alternative channels for brick-and-mortar expansion. The discussion touches on the importance of starting locally, building a community, and pursuing slow and sustainable growth over "growth at all costs."

Tune in for a wealth of knowledge on growing and scaling your business, Gen Z style, and gain insights into the changing dynamics of the eCommerce industry.

Timestamps:

🎙️ 00:00:36 - Introduction and Background of Bryan Alston (00:00:00)

⚠️ 00:07:03 - Pitfalls in Growing and Scaling Brands

🤝 00:09:26 - Prioritizing Customer Relationships Over Platform Optimization

🏢 00:11:57 - The Role of E-commerce in Brick-and-Mortar Success

🌐 00:12:54 - Benefits of Having an Online Community

📊 00:13:58 - Leveraging E-commerce for Data and Insights

🚶‍♂️ 00:15:04 - Driving Foot Traffic to In-Store Products

💰 00:15:22 - Budget Allocation for Top-of-Funnel Marketing

📊 00:15:55 - Understanding Customer Demographics

👥 00:17:40 - Targeting Key Influencers

🔄 00:23:25 - Shifting E-commerce Landscape