ICYDK, eComEngine’s 2024 Seller of the Year Awards is now open for nominations! Attractive prices are waiting for this year’s winners: $5,000 + $4,000 worth of software and services package for the Top Seller of the Year and $1,000 for the first runner-up.
📍 Nominations are open until September 30, and the winners will be announced on November 1.
And speaking of a top seller, today’s featured brand is definitely something you can take inspiration from.
- From a rookie baker to a successful brand owner 🧑🍳
- A tool for a smooth-sailing Amazon journey 🔧
- Secret to standing out in a crowded product category ✋
- Customer segments to target in your email campaigns 🏹
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
How a rookie baker successfully turned a lockdown idea into a legacy
The pandemic lockdown in 2020 was one of the most uncertain times for most of us. But for Kathrin Henon, it was a period of inspiration.
Seeing a need for sugar-free and vegan desserts, she launched Planet Bake right from her home. What started as a small idea during lockdown has grown into a beloved brand—proving that great things can come from challenging times.
Started from scratch
Kathrin didn't start as a professional baker. In fact, she had limited baking experience. But what she lacked in expertise, she made up for in passion and determination. She dove into research and experimentation, determined to create at least something ordinary.
Her mission was clear: make desserts healthier and more lifestyle-conscious without sacrificing taste, texture, and quality. And when Kathrin finally hit the sweet spot, the result was the revolutionary "health food" donut. 🍩
- Healthy desserts: Planet Bake's treats have significantly less saturated fat than traditional sweet snacks. This makes them a smarter choice for anyone looking to enjoy a treat without compromising their health goals.
- Trivia: Did you know that Planet Bake's Chocolate Donut has 0 g of added sugar? That's a huge difference compared to the 8 g found in other brands!
- Lifestyle-conscious treats: Trends in diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health issues are rising in the U.S. Kathrin hopes that each bite of a Planet Bake treat is a step toward a healthier, happier you.
❤️🔥 Passion over perfection
Kathrin’s journey is a testament to the fact that you don't need to be an expert to embark on something new. Her story proves that passion, enthusiasm, and determination can turn a simple idea into a thriving business.
With a clear vision and unwavering commitment, Kathrin transformed her initial challenge into a brand that's revolutionizing the dessert world. If Kathrin can do it, what’s holding you back from making your mark in the business world?
TOGETHER WITH SMARTSCOUT
ICYDK: Here’s a tool that ensures a smooth-sailing Amazon journey
The first step to selling on Amazon is researching products to sell. Or, if you already have a product in mind, it's scoping out the competition. Don't let this stop you, because SmartScout makes it much easier for sellers to start their journey on Amazon.
The new (and easy) way to do product research
Say goodbye to the old ways of going through hundreds of listings to check how a product is doing. With SmartScout, you can quickly explore all products with the highest chance of being profitable on Amazon. You can immediately see crucial information on brands and all the products they sell.
Aside from this, you can use it to:
- Focus on a specific niche: Cut the clutter by filtering specifics with the Categories and Subcategories tools
- Know Amazon's revenue: See the percentage of revenue Amazon earns for any subcategory
- Find the Top Performers easily: Check how your competitors are performing with the Monthly Revenue Estimate filter
- Know a product page’s quality: See if others have fully optimized pages with corresponding grades depending on the product page content
- Understand Amazon's traffic flow: With SmartScout's Traffic Graph feature, you can view a visual map of "frequently bought together" products to see which items customers tend to purchase together
- Know where competitors get traffic: Find out where your competitors get their traffic by typing in their ASIN or keyword.
Are you ready to start or expand your Amazon business?
Take this as your sign to start! SmartScout makes it significantly easier to gain a head start against your competitors.
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Make my product research easier
DIVING DEEPER
How did Planet Bake carve out a niche in the crowded snack industry?
The snack industry is flooded with options. Try scrolling through the snack section, it'll take you a while just to get to the end of the search results. It's cutthroat out there, and standing out requires more than a good product.
And that's where Planet Bake shines!
For starters, they have a good product—a healthy dessert that tastes just as good (if not better) than their sugary counterparts. Also, they focus on what sets them apart in a saturated market: being the healthy option.
🎯 Niche and targeted
Planet Bake ventured into a unique space that only a few, if any, are addressing. They recognized that within the vast snack industry customer base, there are people who want to enjoy a sweet treat without guilt. And so, they capitalized on that.
Here are some key reasons why niche focus and a targeted customer base worked for Planet Bake:
- Unique market position: Their specific focus allowed them to stand out in a crowded market and appeal directly to consumers seeking healthier indulgences.
- Reduced competition: While many brands offer general snacks, Planet Bake's commitment to nutritious, tasty desserts addressed a need that wasn't widely catered to, reducing direct competition.
- Focused marketing and product development: Having a clear target audience allowed Planet Bake to focus on creating highly relevant products and marketing messages that resonate with their customers, leading to more effective campaigns and higher sales. 📈
- Loyal customer base: Health-conscious consumers found a brand that resonated with their lifestyle, leading to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
Crafted for few, loved by all
In a market where options are overwhelming, finding that unique angle—whether it’s healthier ingredients, specific dietary needs, or a compelling brand story—is the key to being recognized. This helps your product stand out and resonate with the right customers.
💭 If there’s one answer to why niche products like Planet Bake’s desserts make such a splash, it’s simple—they’re crafted with a specific audience in mind.
SUCCESS BLUEPRINT
7 customer segments to target in your email campaigns
A foolproof way to laser-target your customers is customer segmentation. It's like organizing your crowd into smaller, more manageable groups based on shared factors. This helps you craft personalized messages that hit the mark and guide customers straight through the marketing funnel.
🔫 Brevo listed some key customer segments you might want to consider in your email campaigns:
- Newly subscribed: Hit two birds with one stone (or email) by sending a welcome email to new sign-ups. Don’t forget to include a tempting incentive to make their first purchase.
- New customers: They’ve bought once, now keep them engaged by offering bonus points for trying new products or following your social media.
- Idle or inactive customers: Reignite interest with a little nudge. Send a re-engagement email based on their last activity to get them back in the game.
- Churners: When customers drift away, don’t give up! Send them a special offer to lure them back. This approach helps re-engage and can boost your retention rates.
- Loyal customers: Show them some love with exclusive offers or mini-congratulation emails when they earn points in your loyalty program. They’ll appreciate the attention and continue supporting you.
- Referrals: Encourage loyal customers to refer friends by offering them rewards. This not only engages your existing customers but also brings in new ones.
- Birthday: Send a special offer on their big day to make them feel appreciated. Set up an automation to trigger these messages by adding a birth date field on your signup forms.
By harnessing these segmentation strategies, you can make your email marketing more impactful. This approach not only enhances the relevance of your messages but also builds stronger connections with your audience.
Ready to transform your marketing campaigns? ✨
