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Rating
4.9from
This podcast has
300 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Justin Cooke and Joe MagnottiExplicit
No
Date created
2011/10/29
Latest episode
2026/10/06
Average duration
59 min.
Release period
13 days
Description
Fast. Safe. Simple. Investing in online business has never been easier. The Empire Flippers Podcast discusses buying and selling websites, investing in online assets and businesses, and discusses the successes and failures that come with online entrepreneurship.
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Building a Lead Generation Business With AI With Will Tribe [Ep.224]
2026/10/06
SEO has changed dramatically over the past few years, but that doesn't mean the opportunities have disappeared.
In this episode, Greg sits down with SEO expert and lead generation operator Will Tribe to break down what's working in search today and why lead generation may be one of the more resilient opportunities for online business owners.
Will has been doing SEO since 2009 and has moved between affiliate SEO, foreign SEO, and lead generation. After seeing the economics of affiliate SEO change, he returned to lead gen and has since used AI to rapidly test new niches and build out a large portfolio of websites.
We dive into how Will finds lead generation opportunities, why he focuses on smaller geographic markets and exact-match domains, and how he tests a niche before committing significant resources.
Will also explains how AI has changed the economics of SEO. Instead of spending months building a site and hoping it works, he can now launch inexpensive tests, gather data quickly, and double down on the opportunities that show potential.
If you want a practical look at where SEO and lead generation are heading, and how AI is changing the way these businesses are built, this episode is worth a listen.
Topics discussed in this episode:
01:52 - Will's background from affiliate SEO to lead generation
08:08 - Finding the right lead-gen partners
13:00 - Do exact-match domains still work?
17:21 - How Will uses AI to deploy and test SEO sites
24:28 - How to test a niche and find opportunities quickly
27:20 - How soon Will starts seeing results after launch
31:00 - How Will manages a portfolio of over 2,000 websites
35:30 - What Will's SwitchMonster tracking tool does
30:10 - Where is the future of lead gen going?
47:33 - How to structure lead-gen deals
Mentions:
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Empire Flippers Marketplace
Create an Empire Flippers account
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Switch Monster
Connect with Will on X
Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to use AI to build a lead generation business!
The AI Opportunities Ecommerce Owners Are Missing With Eric Bidinger [Ep.223]
2026/09/29
AI can write your product descriptions, generate ad creative, and answer customer questions. But those might not be the most valuable uses of AI for ecommerce.
In this episode, we sit down with Eric Bidinger, co-founder and CEO of Luca AI, a tool that uses AI to analyze business data and help entrepreneurs identify opportunities to improve their businesses.
We explore where AI is actually making a difference for online businesses and where the hype is getting ahead of reality.
One of the biggest opportunities is hidden inside the less exciting parts of running a business.
The goal isn't simply to use AI to generate more data. It's to turn that data into better decisions. AI can analyze huge amounts of business data to uncover operational inefficiencies, pricing opportunities, inventory problems, and other areas where money is being left on the table.
We also discuss how AI could change the way ecommerce businesses think about growth capital, why smaller operational improvements can have a major impact on profitability, and what entrepreneurs should be paying attention to as AI continues to evolve.
If you're looking for new ways to unlock growth or simply want to optimize your business, this episode is packed with useful information.
Topics discussed in this episode:
02:32 - The origins of Luca AI and what the software does
06:55 - Where AI is useful vs. where it's still hype
11:41 - Using AI for the less obvious parts of ecommerce
18:41 - Debt, equity, and other ways to finance growth
21:25 - How AI can identify opportunities you aren't looking for
31:29 - The problem with AI hallucinations and business data
38:25 - How technical do modern founders need to be?
40:41 - How to balance AI data with out-of-the-box thinking
43:28 - Creating a competitive advantage when everyone has AI
Mentions:
Empire Flippers Podcasts
Empire Flippers Marketplace
Create an Empire Flippers account
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Luca AI
Eric's LinkedIn
Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to optimize and grow your business using AI.
How to Expand Your Ecommerce Business Internationally With Andy Hooper [Ep.222]
2026/09/08
International expansion can unlock significant growth for an ecommerce business. It can also create a lot of expensive problems if you move too quickly.
In this episode, Greg Elfrink sits down with Andy Hooper, CEO of Expandly, an ecommerce fulfillment and logistics platform, to discuss what it really takes to scale an ecommerce business internationally.
They discuss how to approach international expansion, including choosing the right markets, preparing the business operationally, and navigating the logistics and compliance challenges that come with selling internationally.
The conversation also covers some of the common mistakes businesses make when expanding, as well as how founders can think about international growth without creating unnecessary complexity.
Greg and Andy also discuss acquisitions and investing in ecommerce service businesses, including what makes a business attractive to buyers and the challenges that can come with integrating acquisitions.
Whether you're considering taking your ecommerce business into new markets or exploring acquisitions as a growth strategy, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has experience on both sides of the equation.
Topics discussed in this episode: 02:39 - From flipping products on eBay to 8-figure international domination 10:23 - Andy's advice for US entrepreneurs wanting to expand to the EU 21:04 - The costs entrepreneurs often overlook when expanding internationally 27:57 - The logistics of international expansion 36:15 - Why Andy built a portfolio of service businesses 38:44 - The processes Andy uses to effectively manage his portfolio of businesses 42:31 - Andy's advice on using acquisitions as a growth channel 45:50 - Andy's OATS business integration framework 49:48 - Why Andy rolled his main business into his acquisition, Expandly Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Expandly Andy's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to expand your ecommerce business internationally.
How to Build a Podcast That Actually Helps Your Business With Jim Barton [Ep.221]
2026/09/01
Starting a podcast is easy. Building one that actually helps your business is a different story.
In this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with Jim Barton, founder of Growth Podcasting, to break down what founders should really expect from podcasting.
Jim explains why podcasts are often better at building trust than generating traffic, and how businesses can use them to warm up prospects, support sales conversations, and build relationships with potential clients and partners.
They also get into one of the biggest questions facing podcasters today: should your podcast be on YouTube? Jim explains why simply uploading an interview to YouTube isn't enough, and what you need to change if you want to compete for YouTube's audience.
Jim shares practical advice for getting started without expensive equipment or a complicated production setup, as well as what makes a good episode, how much preparation you really need, and where AI can help without taking the human element out of the content.
If you're considering starting a podcast for your business, or already have one that isn't getting the results you want, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you rethink your approach.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:49 - Why Jim is so bullish on podcasting 09:11 - Should you start a podcast for your business? 14:54 - How to use your podcast to hit your business goals 17:37 - The pros and cons of publishing your podcast on YouTube 23:14 - How much production value you need if you're just getting started 26:43 - Are podcasts a suitable option for all businesses? 32:26 - How to get people to discover your podcast 40:59 - The prep that goes into making a good podcast episode 44:12 - What separates a bad podcast episode from a good one? Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Growth Podcasting Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to get the most out of your business podcast.
Amazon's Changing Rules & the Next Wave of FBA Growth With Jana Krekic [Ep.220]
2026/08/25
Amazon sellers are being forced to rethink how they build and grow their businesses. From stricter listing requirements to AI-powered shopping and new international opportunities, the rules are changing quickly.
On this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with Jana Krekic, founder of YLT Translations and Seller Lingo, to discuss what's changing across Amazon and where sellers should be paying attention.
They cover Amazon's stricter listing requirements, shorter titles, supplement compliance, and what these changes mean for sellers who have relied on older optimization strategies.
They also dive into AI and Amazon search, including Rufus and Alexa, and how sellers may need to structure their listings so AI can better understand and recommend their products.
The conversation then moves beyond the US, with Jana sharing her perspective on international expansion, localization, and overlooked markets. She explains why simply translating a listing isn't enough and why some markets can offer opportunities that sellers may not be looking for.
If you sell on Amazon, are thinking about expanding internationally, or want to understand where the platform is heading, this episode is worth a listen.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:03 - Why Amazon has gotten stricter with their listing requirements 11:59 - Amazon's crackdown on supplement regulations 17:37 - How Amazon has changed for sellers over the last five years 25:03 - The risks of using AI to translate your listings 36:32 - How important is your listing copy in the age of AI? 42:39 - When to consider international Amazon expansion 51:22 - Cultural translation for different markets Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter YLT Translations SellerLingo Smart Scout Helium 10 Data Dive Sit back, grab a coffee, and get the latest update on Amazon's listing requirements across different countries.
How to Optimize Your Amazon Listings for AI Search With Jon Tilley [Ep.219]
2026/08/18
Amazon sellers have spent years optimizing for keywords and traditional search. That is still important, but the way customers discover products on Amazon is changing quickly.
In this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, we sit down with Jon Tilley, founder of ZonGuru, to unpack Amazon's latest AI developments and what they mean for sellers.
Amazon has moved away from Rufus and is doubling down on Alexa for Shopping, alongside its newer Cosmo algorithm. Instead of simply returning search results, Amazon can now use conversations, customer profiles, product data, and recommendations to help shoppers make decisions.
For sellers, this creates a new layer of optimization.
We discuss why keywords still matter, but why sellers also need to think about the questions customers ask, how their products are used, who they are best suited for, and which products they complement.
Jon also explains why simply asking ChatGPT or Claude to rewrite a listing is not enough, how first-party Amazon data can improve AI optimization, and why sellers need to balance AI readability with human conversion.
We also look at the wider implications of AI for Amazon sellers, agencies, and omnichannel growth.
If you want to understand where Amazon is heading and how to adapt your business before these changes become mainstream, this episode is worth a listen.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:11 - Why Amazon is doubling down on Alexa and what that means for sellers 08:57 - Keywords vs. conversational search 14:48 - How to maximize your AI visibility on Amazon 17:43 - Understanding Cosmo's product knowledge graph 25:19 - The biggest AI optimization mistakes sellers make 27:52 - The opportunities AI unlocks for Amazon sellers 31:59 - How quickly AI optimization can impact performance 38:21 - How Amazon sellers are using AI beyond product discovery 41:00 - AI, agencies, and the changing service model 43:33 - Is AI killing agencies or helping them thrive? Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter ZonGuru's AI Readiness Report ZonGuru's Helix Jon's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to improve your AI visibility on Amazon.
From Side Hustle to $100M: Lessons in Building a Scalable Business With Steve Rolle [Ep.218]
2026/08/04
Building a successful eCommerce business is one thing. Building one that can grow without you is something else entirely.
That's easier said than done. Many founders eventually become the biggest bottleneck in their own business, making it harder to scale, step away, or create a valuable long-term asset.
In this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with entrepreneur and investor Steve Rolle, whose businesses have generated more than $100 million in combined sales.
Steve shares the lessons he learned growing a side hustle into a thriving eCommerce business by solving real customer problems, building systems that scale, and creating repeatable processes instead of chasing the latest trends.
Steve explains why your day job can be the best training ground for entrepreneurship, how to know when you've become the bottleneck, and what it takes to build a team that can operate without the founder being involved in every decision.
He also shares the hard-earned lessons from acquiring an Amazon business through Empire Flippers, including why buyers need to look beyond the numbers and understand the knowledge and experience that often leave with the founder.
Whether you're thinking about starting an online business, growing the one you already have, or buying an existing company, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you build a business that's designed to last.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:49 - Steve's journey from the military to over $100M in ecom sales 05:30 - How Steve grew his business to $100M 09:00 - Why your job can be the best apprenticeship for entrepreneurship 16:40 - Building systems instead of building founder dependency 21:57 - Why Steve chose not to sell his business and instead professionalized it 27:36 - Hiring leaders: growing talent vs. hiring experienced executives 38:08 - Lessons Steve learned through a failed business acquisition Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Steve's website The Future You Choose by Steve Rolle Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to build a scalable business that runs without the founder.
How TikTok Shop Is Changing eCommerce With Jordan West [Ep.217]
2026/07/07
For years, growing an eCommerce business followed the same growth playbook: run ads, optimize your website, and send as much traffic to your store as possible.
But that's starting to change.
More and more shoppers are discovering products through creators rather than traditional ads, and platforms like TikTok Shop are changing the way people buy online. Instead of relying solely on paid advertising, brands now have the opportunity to get hundreds or even thousands of creators talking about and selling their products.
In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with Jordan West, founder of Social Commerce Club and host of the Unofficial TikTok Shop Podcast, to talk about why he believes social commerce is the next big thing in eCommerce.
Jordan breaks down how TikTok Shop works, why it's so different from Amazon and traditional Shopify stores, and how coordinated creator campaigns can create a powerful halo effect across Shopify stores, Amazon, and even retail.
Greg and Jordan also dive into what it takes to build a successful eCommerce business, from understanding your numbers and improving your margins to choosing the right growth channels and building a team that can scale with the business.
Whether you sell on TikTok Shop, Amazon, Shopify, or you're simply looking for your next growth opportunity, you'll walk away from this episode with practical ideas you can apply to your own business.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:00 - From losing everything to finding success through social commerce 11:36 - The mechanics of how TikTok Shop actually works 16:18 - The "halo effect" and how TikTok Shop drives sales across Amazon and Shopify 20:12 - How brands find and work with creators 22:00 - Jordan's "Blitz Methodology" for launching products on TikTok Shop 37:41 - Social SEO is about to take off 41:28 - Affiliate commissions, incentives, and getting started on TikTok Shop 43:37 - The types of products that work on TikTok Shop 45:08 - Jordan's advice for doubling or tripling an eCommerce business 52:40 - Scaling an agency, hiring A-players, and building the right culture Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Social Commerce Club Jordan's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to scale your ecommerce business using social commerce on TikTok Shop!
The Future of Online Business Investing With Mike Swigunski [Ep.216]
2026/06/23
Entrepreneurship isn't a linear path.
Some entrepreneurs spend decades building a single business. Others buy, grow, and sell businesses repeatedly. Some focus on building a portfolio of businesses.
And then there are entrepreneurs who take it a step further.
After years of acquiring and operating online businesses, Mike Swigunski is now building Dividends, an investment platform designed to give everyday investors exposure to cash-flowing online businesses.
In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, Mike joins Greg to discuss his journey from employee #4 at Empire Flippers to acquisition entrepreneur, investor, and now fund manager.
They explore how the online business acquisition market has evolved, what makes a business worth buying in today's environment, and why recurring revenue businesses continue to attract investor attention.
They also dive into AI's impact on acquisitions, the realities of operating a portfolio of businesses, and the opportunities Mike sees in making online business investing more accessible to a wider audience.
Whether you're thinking about buying a business, investing in digital assets, or simply curious about where the acquisition market is headed, this episode is packed with practical insights and lessons from someone who has spent years operating in the space.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:14 - Mike's journey from Empire Flippers to starting his own fund 07:46 - How the online business acquisition market has changed over the last 10 years 12:25 - An overview of what Mike's AI investing platform does 20:12 - Why Mike created his own fund instead of privately acquiring businesses 33:07 - SaaS, AI, and building defensible business moats 37:11 - How Mike plans to manage the businesses in his fund 41:58 - How Mike is funding his acquisitions and deal structures 46:19 - Sourcing deals and building an acquisition pipeline 48:31 - Mike's exit strategy and what investors get when the businesses sell Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Dividends WeFunder page Dividends Capital site Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to invest in cash-flowing online businesses without having to buy one yourself.
Rebuilding From Bankruptcy to $50K Months as a Solopreneur With Moe Choice [Ep.215]
2026/06/16
Most entrepreneurs don't get it right the first time. In fact, the average founder fails around four times before they land something that really works. What matters isn't avoiding failure, it's what you do to bounce back.
In this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with entrepreneur and solopreneur mentor Moe Choice for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to rebuild after things fall apart.
Moe has built 12 different businesses, lost everything more than once, gone through bankruptcy in Dubai, and had his plans completely disrupted during COVID. But instead of giving up, he doubled down on building a successful business designed around freedom.
A big part of the conversation is about why skill alone isn't enough. Moe explains that many talented people stay stuck because they focus too much on improving their craft and not enough on learning how to position, market, and sell it.
He also highlights how important focus is. Many solopreneurs jump between tactics, but Moe's breakthrough came when he committed to one channel, LinkedIn outreach, and stuck with it long enough to get genuinely good at it. That consistency became the foundation for rebuilding and eventually scaling his coaching business.
If you're building a business, this episode is a reminder that resilience matters just as much as strategy, and that sustainable success usually comes from simplifying, not complicating.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:38 - Moe's entrepreneurial journey and how he built a $250K business on LinkedIn 07:00 - Why Moe's business in Dubai went from $400K profit to bankruptcy 12:49 - The benefits of creating an American LLC 17:13 - Moe's only regret from his failed Dubai business 21:17 - How Moe built his LinkedIn business coaching company 32:51 - Good enough is better than perfection 37:52 - How Moe helps solopreneurs reach 15K 53:29 - The difference between successful entrepreneurs and those who fail Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Moe's LinkedIn Moe's Website Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to succeed as a solopreneur!
How to Raise $12M to Buy Small Businesses With Grant Hensel [Ep.214]
2026/05/26
What separates great entrepreneurs from everyone else is not avoiding failure. It's their ability to get back up and keep trying new things.
Grant Hensel started 10 businesses, watched seven fail, scaled one into a 60-person company, shifted from building businesses to buying them, and recently raised nearly $12 million to back entrepreneurs acquiring small businesses.
In this episode of The Opportunity podcast, Grant joins us to share what separated his successful ventures from the failures and the benefits of buying businesses instead of building them from scratch.
One of the keys to success for Grant was finding the right people. He explains that many of his own successes came from partnering with operators who were better suited to run the day-to-day business, while he focused on vision, support, and capital allocation. That philosophy now shapes how his fund evaluates acquisition entrepreneurs.
We also dig into how he raised the fund itself, why he believes "boring" businesses can be incredible investments, and the warning signs that immediately kill a deal for him.
We also discussed AI's impact on SEO agencies and why Grant believes AI is actually creating new opportunities for digital marketing businesses rather than destroying them.
If you're interested in buying businesses, raising capital, or building long-term wealth through acquisitions, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:12 - What separated Grant's successful businesses from the failures 11:26 - Why Grant switched from building businesses to buying them 13:41 - How Grant found his first acquisition 14:30 - How AI is affecting marketing agencies 17:34 - How the first acquisition was structured 20:03 - The benefits of buying vs building a business 23:23 - Ins and outs of raising a fund 30:28 - Why Grant is sceptical of acquisition synergies 39:52 - How Grant evaluates searchers 46:26 - How Grant raised $12 million for acquisitions Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Main Street Capital Network Grant's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and look behind the scenes of a $12million fund!
Building for Acquisition: Lessons From a $40 Million Exit With Beth Mazza [Ep.213]
2026/05/19
Most founders think selling a business is the finish line.
For Beth Mazza, it was the start of a completely different challenge.
After selling her first consulting firm for a modest valuation, Beth rebuilt her next company with an exit in mind from day one. The result? A roughly $40 million exit and a crash course in what buyers actually value.
In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, Beth shares the lessons she learned from both exits, including building systems that reduce founder dependency and creating relationships with potential buyers years before selling.
We discuss what really drives high-value exits: positioning, operational readiness, recurring relationships, and strong financials. Beth also explains why most founders wait too long to prepare their business for acquisition.
She also opens up about the emotional side of entrepreneurship, the identity shift that comes after an exit, and balancing motherhood while building companies at scale.
If you've ever wondered what separates a sellable business from one that traps the founder inside it, this episode delivers an honest look behind the curtain.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:00 - The mistakes Beth made when exiting her first company 05:30 - Why Beth's second business earned a much higher valuation 08:00 - Building buyer relationships years before selling 13:00 - Lessons from bad LOIs and failed positioning 16:30 - Beth's thoughts on AI, SaaS, and agency businesses 25:00 - Turning founder expertise into systems and processes 28:00 - How Beth's $40M exit came about 36:00 - Why PE-backed strategic buyers pay higher multiples 40:00 - The emotional reality after selling a company Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Female Mavericks Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to prepare for a profitable acquisition from the start!
Subscription Strategies for Ecommerce Growth With Matt Holman [Ep.212]
2026/05/12
For many eCommerce brands, getting the first sale is not the hardest part. Keeping customers coming back is.
In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, Greg speaks with Matthew Holman, founder of D2C subscription agency Subscription Prescription, about how eCommerce brands can improve retention and increase recurring revenue by adding a subscription component to their business.
Matt explains why subscriptions are often misunderstood by founders. Many brands treat them purely as a way to increase lifetime value, but according to Matt, the real opportunity is creating a better customer experience that naturally drives recurring revenue.
Good onboarding is key. Matt explains that the first 7–10 days after a purchase are critical because that is when customers decide whether they feel like they are "winning" with the product. Brands that educate customers early, guide them through the experience, and reinforce value tend to see far stronger retention.
Greg and Matt also dive into why some ecommerce businesses force subscriptions where they do not belong, the psychology behind multi-month subscription offers, and why value stacking often works better than endless discounting.
For founders looking to improve customer retention and grow recurring revenue, this episode is filled with practical insights and real-world examples.
Topics Discussed in this episode: What makes a business a good fit for subscriptions (06:16) When subscriptions do not work for ecommerce brands (09:30) The weirdest subscription product Matt has ever seen (12:38) What separates high retention offers from those that just churn (14:38) Mistakes founders make when trying to grow subscription revenue (18:56) Building offers that increase retention and LTV (22:03) How new businesses should test subscription offers (27:29) Matt's recommended testing framework for new subscription offers (32:42) How to attract high-value consumers instead of discount shoppers (36:17) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Matt's LinkedIn TheSubscriptionDoc.com Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to reduce churn and increase recurring revenue through subscriptions!
Rewriting the Paid Ads Playbook With Hernan Vazquez [Ep.211]
2026/04/28
Paid ads used to be simple: find the right audience, dial in your targeting, and scale.
Now? It's where a lot of businesses quietly burn cash.
In this episode, we are joined by Hernan Vazquez, a paid ads expert with over a decade of experience.
Hernan explains why so many business owners are spending more on ads and getting less back.
The biggest problem is the math. What used to work at $3 leads or cheap clicks doesn't work when acquisition costs have doubled or tripled. But many businesses haven't adjusted. They're still running the same funnels, expecting the same outcomes, and wondering why margins are disappearing.
According to Hernan, platforms like Meta and Google now rely heavily on AI, which means your creative is doing the real work. If your message doesn't land instantly, your budget gets eaten alive.
That's why more operators are shifting to low ticket offers.
Instead of risking everything on a cold high-ticket sale, Hernan suggests using low-ticket products to test demand, recover ad spend faster, and avoid wasting months on funnels that don't convert.
If you've ever looked at your ad spend and thought, "this should be working by now," this episode will show you what's actually going wrong, before it costs you even more.
Topics Discussed in this episode: Hernan's background in paid ads (02:31) Paid vs organic and where to invest today (04:23) Hernan's advice for hiring your first media buyer (15:28) How paid media has changed and the current struggles with Meta (21:59) The shift from targeting to creative (25:30) Why low ticket offers are making a comeback (28:05) Funnels vs ecosystems and how to structure your strategy (35:31) Retargeting and what still works today (45:43) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Hernan's LinkedIn Low Ticket Profits - Hernan's book Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to get more conversions from your paid ads!
Neuromarketing: The Science Behind What Makes People Buy With Nancy Harhut [Ep.210]
2026/04/21
In a world flooded with AI-generated content, standing out is harder than ever. Which is exactly why understanding why people make decisions matters more now than ever before.
In this episode of the Opportunity Podcast, we're joined by Nancy Harhut, co-founder and Creative Director of HBT Marketing. Nancy specializes in blending marketing with behavioral science to uncover what actually drives customer action.
It's simpler than you might think. People rely on mental shortcuts to make decisions. Instead of carefully weighing every option, we act on instinct, often without realizing it. This impacts our purchasing decisions.
Nancy explains that this is why tactics like loss aversion (avoiding mistakes), reciprocity (giving before asking), and autonomy (offering choice) are so effective. Small tweaks, like framing an offer as something to avoid losing, or giving two options instead of one, can have a big impact on conversions.
An added challenge is that AI has made content faster and cheaper to produce, which makes standing out harder than ever. That's where the Von Restorff Effect comes in. People notice what's different. And as more businesses rely on AI, differentiation becomes your biggest advantage.
Nancy believes we're in a transitional moment. AI is changing how content is created, but human psychology still determines what sells.
The businesses that win won't be the ones producing the most content. They'll be the ones who understand how people think, feel, and decide.
Topics Discussed in this episode: 04:33 - What neuromarketing is and why you should use it 07:30 - Loss aversion in action 10:30 - Reciprocity and influence 16:30 - Autonomy bias and choice 25:00 - Decision-making and "liminal spaces" 30:30 - Pricing psychology tactics 35:30 - The impact of AI on marketing 44:00 - Risks of over-relying on AI 52:00 - How to stand out (Von Restorff Effect) Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Using Behavioural Science in Marketing - Nancy's book HBT Marketing Nancy's LinkedIn Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to boost your sales and stand out from the crowd using neuromarketing!
Podcast reviews
Read Empire Flippers Podcast podcast reviews
dhermansen 2022/06/01
These guys rock!!
Justin & Joe are the real deal, they know their stuff! They’ve been brokering ecommerce businesses for years and know the industry as well as anyone!
obacker19 2021/06/07
Entertaining, insightful and actionable! 🔥
Whether you’re well established as an online entrepreneur, or just getting started carving out a profitable niche that’s ready to grow - this is a mus...
Rfgdsdggjfg 2020/01/16
Very Insightful
There are few podcasts that are as insightful as the Empire Flippers Podcast with Justin Cooke and Joe Magnotti. Joe and Justin are excellent listener...
Adam VanBuskirk 2019/10/01
Great Podcast for Founders
I follow the Empire Flippers site as well as the podcast. Although I’m currently building a startup and not looking to buy a business, these guys offe...
Kevin Bastoul 2019/08/29
A Goldmine for Online Entrepreneurs
If you're growing an online business, buying or selling online businesses, or just curious about the possibilities of online entrepreneurship, this po...
Willroya 2019/06/16
Great info
This is one of a handful of podcasts that I’ve listened to regularly to help build my online brand to 1 mil within a couple years.
Philooo 2019/04/23
Web publisher must listen to this podcast
I am a web publisher since 2003 and so far each podcast was informative to pro like me. The blog is promoting empire flipper and their guests but host...
Dustin Ellard 2018/11/16
I love the transparency, willingness to share and no nonsense business advice and experience shared!
Joe and Justin always give great insights into online businesses from the viewpoint of being able to look deep inside of online businesses from many d...
Neo_Drew 2017/07/07
Very helpful
As a FBA seller I have found a lot of value from this podcast. It has provided a good vision for how to build my business for a profitable valuation i...
Zingbrady 2017/04/24
Perfect combo of knowledge and entertainment
I must say, with the mix of experience with online business and their vast knowledge of the field, that I was able to learn more through 3 episodes th...
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