{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 279: Smart Marketer\u2019s 2026 Growth Playbook: What We\u2019re Building, Testing &amp; Doubling Down On","description":"Episode 279: Smart Marketer\u2019s 2026 Growth Playbook: What We\u2019re Building, Testing &amp;amp; Doubling Down On Episode Description What does growth look like when AI is changing every week, paid traffic is evolving, and your business has to keep adapting in real time? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Molly Pittman and John Grimshaw pull back the curtain on what Smart Marketer has been building, testing, and improving in 2026. From Axon\/AppLovin and TikTok Shop to AEO, AI-powered creative, new software, and launching an ecommerce brand from scratch, this episode is a candid look at how Smart Marketer is thinking about the future. You\u2019ll hear why partnerships are becoming one of the biggest growth levers, why founder visibility matters more in the AI era, and why not every experiment needs to work in order for your business to keep moving forward. \u201cNot everything has to work. If everything is successful, you're probably not doing enough.\u201d \u2013 Molly Pittman You Will Learn: \u2022 Why Smart Marketer is expanding beyond courses, agency services, and masterminds. \u2022 How Axon\/AppLovin is creating new paid traffic opportunities for DTC brands. \u2022 Why TikTok Shop requires a different approach than traditional paid media. \u2022 What AEO is and why AI search may become a major growth channel. \u2022 How Smart Marketer is using AI to create more direct-response ad creative. \u2022 Why partnerships can unlock faster business growth and new opportunities. \u2022 What Molly and John are learning from launching an ecommerce brand from scratch. \u2022 Why the info product space is not dead, but it is evolving. \u2022 How to decide what to scale, what to cut, and where to focus next. Links &amp;amp; Resources:   Smart Marketer: smartmarketer.com   Smart Marketer Podcast: https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/podcast   Smart Marketer Free Trainings &amp;amp; Resources: https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/free-resources\/   Smart Marketer Agency: https:\/\/smartmarketeragency.com\/   Mentor Table: https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/mentor-table\/   Thumbstop: https:\/\/usethumbstop.ai\/   OmniSend (Sponsor): https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/omnisend  Use code SMART for 50% off your first three months.   TIME STAMPS: 00:00:22 \u2013 Welcome: What\u2019s Changing Across Marketing Right Now 00:01:10 \u2013 Sponsor Message: Ezra Firestone on OmniSend 00:02:14 \u2013 Molly Welcomes John Grimshaw to the Podcast 00:03:28 \u2013 Behind the Scenes: What\u2019s Been Happening at Smart Marketer 00:04:34 \u2013 How Smart Marketer Has Evolved Beyond Courses 00:06:29 \u2013 Why Business Leaders Must Keep Innovating 00:07:34 \u2013 Launching the Axon\/AppLovin Masterclass 00:09:30 \u2013 The Power of Partnerships in Business Growth 00:11:51 \u2013 Testing TikTok Shop as a New Growth Channel 00:15:19 \u2013 AEO, AI Search, and Optimizing for Answer Engines 00:17:27 \u2013 Why Founder Visibility Matters in the AI Era 00:19:13 \u2013 Introducing Thumbstop: AI-Powered Ad Creative 00:23:51 \u2013 Smart Marketer\u2019s First New Software Tool in Years 00:24:49 \u2013 Launching a New Ecommerce Brand From Scratch 00:28:59 \u2013 Why Partnerships Are Central to Smart Marketer\u2019s Next Chapter 00:31:00 \u2013 Building Agentic AI Systems for Ecommerce Brands 00:33:01 \u2013 Why Courses and Info Products Are Not Dead 00:35:49 \u2013 The Reality of Testing New Ideas 00:37:59 \u2013 How Smart Marketer Is Refocusing for the Rest of 2026 00:38:29 \u2013 Molly\u2019s Reminder: Not Everything Has to Work 00:40:38 \u2013 Final Thoughts and a Bandit Cameo 00:41:15 \u2013 Closing CTA: Subscribe, Review, and Share the Show YOUR ENGAGEMENT MATTERS! Thank you for tuning in! Your support keeps this podcast thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, review, and share it with fellow entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners who want to stay ahead of what\u2019s coming next. Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts:  Click Here Share this episode on social media, tag us, and use #WeOutHere Have feedback? Email us at support@smartmarketer.com Serve the World Unselfishly and Profit! ","author_name":"The Smart Marketer Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/smartmarketer.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41586990\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/41586990"}