From Pixels To Profits

02/14/24 • 18 min

53 From Pixels To Profits

In this episode of The Circle Sessions, Brett Johnson and web design expert Yasmine Robles from Robles Designs dive deep into the world of conversion-focused web design and how it can boost profitability for businesses and podcasts.

Yasmine knows her stuff when it comes to creating websites that are not just visually stunning, but also strategically designed to convert visitors into loyal customers. Their conversation is full of practical advice and real-life examples, making it a valuable listen for anyone looking to level up their online presence and monetization game.

They kick things off by discussing the importance of conversion-focused design and how it's all about making moolah from your website. Yasmine sheds light on the nitty-gritty of strategic planning, user experience optimization, and the art of driving desired actions – all with the ultimate goal of turning visitors into happy customers. It's not just about creating a pretty website; it's about crafting an online experience that seamlessly guides people towards making a purchase or taking the desired action.

They dig into the core principles of conversion-focused design, focusing on clarity, simplification, and relevance. They stress the need for a clear and user-friendly layout, especially optimized for mobile because, let's face it, we're all glued to our phones these days. Yasmine draws parallels between these design principles and podcast strategy, emphasizing the importance of keeping content clear, simple, and relevant – whether you're designing a website or planning your next killer podcast episode.

Things get practical when they walk through a scenario of a podcaster wanting to sell merch like coffee mugs. Yasmine's advice is spot on – align your podcast content with your website, and leverage show notes and transcripts to promote your merch seamlessly. Add some upsell opportunities and user-generated content, and boom, you've got a holistic approach to boosting those merchandise sales.

Smartphone vs. desktop user behavior takes center stage, and Yasmine stresses the need for simplicity and ease of navigation, especially on mobile. No one likes a complicated purchasing process, right? So, keeping it a smooth 1-2-3 step journey is key to driving those sales.

The episode wraps up with a reminder about the power of post-purchase engagement and leveraging user-generated content for some good old social proof. Yasmine's insights on nurturing customer relationships post-purchase and building a community-driven approach are pure gold. Because let's be real – creating a hyper-engaged community around your brand or podcast is like hitting the jackpot for sustained profitability and growth.

Top 10 Takeaways

1. Conversion-focused web design is essential to maximize profits from a website, and this approach involves creating a clear path for users, simplifying navigation, and presenting relevant content to drive desired actions.

2. Strategic website layouts guide users through a seamless journey, focusing their attention on key elements that drive conversions, such as call-to-action buttons and strategically placed information.

3. To sell merchandise on a website, such as coffee mugs with a podcast logo, a strategic approach involves incorporating links in show notes or blog posts, providing a clear path to purchase, and potentially upselling related products.

4. Mobile optimization is crucial for e-commerce websites, and while the user journey should be similar for desktop and mobile, the content presentation should be simplified and tailored to the user's viewing experience on different devices.

5. The post-purchase journey should include a thank-you page and transactional and marketing emails to engage customers further and encourage repeat purchases or additional actions.

6. User-generated content, such as images of customers using purchased products, can be utilized on websites to build a sense of community and increase customer engagement.

7. Podcasters can monetize their offerings through various strategies, including selling merchandise, creating a paid community, utilizing "buy me a coffee" options, and leveraging user-generated content for promotion.

8. Websites can feature a "meet our community" section or showcase user-generated content from social media to foster community engagement and increase the cool factor associated with the brand.

9. Engaging with customers post-sale and maintaining a sense of community can contribute to repeat purchases and continued support of the brand, beyond the initial transaction.

10. Podcasters and businesses can seek professional support for website audits, SEO optimization, and content creation to ensure their online presence is ef...

The Circle Sessions

53 From Pixels To Profits

Top 10 Takeaways

5. The post-purchase journey should include a thank-you page and transactional and marketing emails to engage customers further and encourage repeat purchases or additional actions.

6. User-generated content, such as images of customers using purchased products, can be utilized on websites to build a sense of community and increase customer engagement.

8. Websites can feature a "meet our community" section or showcase user-generated content from social media to foster community engagement and increase the cool factor associated with the brand.

9. Engaging with customers post-sale and maintaining a sense of community can contribute to repeat purchases and continued support of the brand, beyond the initial transaction.

10. Podcasters and businesses can seek professional support for website audits, SEO optimization, and content creation to ensure their online presence is ef...

Previous Episode

Ripped From The Podcast Headlines - Joe Rogan Stays Home

Welcome to The Circle Sessions, where we dive into the latest news and trends in the world of media, advertising, and content creation. In this episode, host Brett Johnson is joined by the ever-creative Don The Idea Guy as they explore the hot topics ripped from the headlines.

The world’s #1 podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience has renewed with Spotify. The show will no longer be exclusive: and will ‘soon’ be made available on additional platforms like Apple, Amazon and YouTube. Terms of the deal weren’t given; the Wall Street Journal suggests the deal is worth as much as $250mn; however, Spotify told The Guardian that figure was incorrect.

SiriusXM Inks New Multi-Year Agreement with SmartLess Media, Including Powerhouse Flagship Podcast, “SmartLess” SiriusXM’s roster, which includes Crime Junkie, Pod Save America, and Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend. SiriusXM also cut a deal with James Corden in November.

Use Passionfroot to create an online media kit and find sponsors. Here is the example we talk about in the podcast.

In a split 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission has voted to move forward with a proposal that would bestow benefits on broadcasters that invest in locally-originated programming. If adopted, it would give processing priority to radio and TV stations that certify they provide locally originated programming when they file license renewal applications or transfer a license. Don and Brett disagree on the opportunities for podcasters if this unfolds for stations needing more locally produced content.

Brett has more to say about this in this episode of The Circle Sessions.

Key Takeaways

1. There is potential for podcasters to leverage opportunities in traditional radio stations and platforms like SiriusXM for additional exposure and audience growth.

2. The strategy of podcast advertising warrants careful consideration, ensuring that ad breaks do not overwhelm the listener experience.

3. Understanding listener behavior, preferences, and consumption patterns can help in strategizing podcast release schedules and content.

4. The evolution of platforms like SiriusXM from satellite to app-based services could impact the landscape of podcast exclusivity and subscriber counts.

5. The competitive landscape of podcast acquisitions by major platforms like Spotify and SiriusXM signals a shift towards exclusive content and original programming.

6. Platforms like Passionfroot.me offer creators a visual portfolio and sponsorship pitching platform, potentially presenting a valuable revenue generation opportunity.

In this engaging and informative episode, listeners are treated to a wealth of knowledge and lighthearted banter, making "Ripped From The Headlines" a must-listen for anyone interested in the podcasting industry and the world of content creation.

Memorable Moments

04:04 Spotify deal opens up to other platforms.

09:02 Discovering interconnected relationships in Hollywood'...

Next Episode

Social Media Best Practices in 2024

Get ready to level up your social media game with our latest chat – "Social Media Best Practices" – where Brett Johnson and Tonnisha English Amamoo, are talking about doing social media the right way.

First up, Brett’s eyeballing the whole AI scene with a pinch of salt, especially when it’s churning out blog posts trying to sound like us. On the flip side, Tonnisha’s all about keeping things real, even when robots are penning your captions.

We all know juggling Instagram stories, Facebook posts, and tweeting can drive you up the wall. Tonnisha's pro-tip? Pick your social media home wisely, folks – no need to win popularity contests on every app.

Remember Vine's crash and burn? Brett and Tonnisha remind us not to put all our digital eggs in one basket.

When the world's buzzing with news, post with purpose, or maybe get a second opinion before you click 'Share'.

Social Media Strategy: "I think you should be where your people are, or where you want to be, and maybe you're you find your people there. Because I think when you're using a platform that you actually like, it's easier to feel excited about creating content for it." — Tonnisha

Rebranding? Converting those likes into subscribers? Tonnisha is handing out advice on why it's crucial to get peeps over to platforms you actually own.

By the end of the episode, you’ll be equipped to not only make noise on social media but to do so without losing track of why you started in the first place.

Top Takeaways

1. **AI Integration Must Be Authentic**: While AI can replicate a business owner's voice to generate content, Brett and Tonnisha emphasize the necessity of adding a personal touch to maintain authenticity.

2. **Human Proofreading is Essential**: Regardless of AI-assisted content creation, the hosts stress the importance of reviewing and ensuring that all published content aligns with the brand’s voice and the podcast’s ethos.

3. **SMART Social Media Strategy**: When leveraging social media, Tonnisha advises setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals to avoid becoming overwhelmed and to increase effectiveness.

4. **Platform Focus Over Quantity**: Rather than trying to be present everywhere, choose a platform that matches the brand's audience and concentrate efforts there for maximum impact.

5. **Be Mindful of Current Events**: Tonnisha and Brett highlight the need to post content that is sensitive to major issues and to avoid being perceived as insensitive or irrelevant.

6. **Consult a Specialist**: Before sharing content, Brett suggests seeking the perspective of social media specialists or others to ensure it fits the brand and current social context.

7. **Own Your Audience**: The hosts encourage converting followers to subscribers on owned platforms like websites and email lists to avoid being solely dependent on social media platforms.

8. **Content Optimization for Platforms**: It’s crucial to create and tailor content specifically for the platform it’s meant for, as each platform has its own rules and audience preferences.

9. **Authenticity in Political/Social Stances**: When taking a stance on political/social issues, authenticity is key. Inauthenticity can cause backlash and may necessitate public apologies.

10. **Conservation of Focus and Energy**: Tonnisha and Brett warn against the burnout that comes from feeling obligated to comment on every event. Prioritize staying true to one's core beliefs and strategic goals.

Memorable Moments

00:00 Automate social media but still engage personally.

04:45 Use social media in a balanced way.

07:56 AI systems help align content with the brand.

12:19 Automation and S.M.A.R.T. goals for social media.

14:06 Experiment with platforms, but diversify cautiously.

17:04 Content emphasizes attracting an audience through engaging content.

21:56 Meta's integration benefits content creators across platforms.

25:06 Small business owners should be mindful of authenticity.

29:33 Choose focus wisely, and don't burn out.

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Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you ...

The Circle Sessions - From Pixels To Profits

Transcript

Brett Johnson [00:00:05]:

Welcome to the Circle Sessions featuring The Circle of Experts. The Circle of Experts are Yasmine Robles from Robles Designs, Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications, and Don The Idea Guy. I'm Brett Johnson from Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants. Each week, one of The Circle Of Experts joins me to talk about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, and website design, and the implementation of all of