Hey, y’all, I don’t learn about you however I’m feeling twenty-two. Welcome again to episode 22 of The Southern Fried eCommerce podcast from EYStudios. Our cohosts Jay Brimberry and Emily Faulkner begin off right this moment’s dialogue by regretting the truth that we didn’t maintain this podcast on 2/22/22 for final two-ness. Emily factors out although that right here at Southern Fried eCommerce we don’t like following the group or being the identical as anybody else, so why begin now. To be honest, that is our second try at this podcast which has to depend for one thing within the land of two-ness. We needed to begin over as a result of Jay’s door violently blew open whereas he was speaking the primary time. Emily attributes to the one apparent answer: ghosts.
As we speak’s episode is formally our first worldwide episode with our visitor becoming a member of us all the best way from Italy. Gaia Vernaglione and Leonardo D’Aprile of Zakeke, the 3D configurator & AR instrument, be a part of us this week to debate eCommerce information from a world perspective. Leo can also be right here to be jealous of Jay’s ghosts. Gaia and Leo are particularly certified to be on our Southern Good friend eCommerce podcast as residents of southern Italy (Apulia, to be precise) although we hear it’s a smidge completely different than the southern U.S.
Jay begins off by asking our friends about their weekend plans. Gaia is visiting pals and plans on having fun with some studying together with her day off. She says, “We nonetheless shouldn’t have sufficient time to learn and benefit from the small pleasures of life.” Jay vehemently agrees and waxes poetically in regards to the European view of life as meant to be loved. Gaia agrees, “The Italian Dolce Vita”, the candy life. Leo echoes this sentiment by saying his weekend plans are “getting drunk as at all times.” He says he jokes and that he’ll really simply be having a chill weekend seeing his household and pals.
After discussing what Italian weekend plans appear to be, Jay palms over the highlight to Gaia and Leo to speak extra about Zakeke.
Zakeke Defined (and Pronounced)
Gaia begins by politely correcting Jay’s pronunciation of Zakeke — the proper pronunciation is Zah-kay-kay. She then tells us all that she is the Nation Supervisor for USA & Canada for Zekeke which suggests she focuses on the markets in these nations. Leo is the chief content material officer at Zekeke and explains his job as, “something to do with content material: I’m your man.”
GAIA: Zekeke is a one-stop answer for all issues visible commerce, a cloud house utility that empowers manufacturers and retailers to permit merchandise 2D customization, 3D configurations, and 3D and AR visualizations. We stand out for 3 fundamental issues (of the various that I might discuss): initially for subtlety and adaptableness. Going again to darkish humor, our inside darkish humor joke is we are able to go from truffles to graves very quickly. Which means you could personalize truffles, high-fashion equipment, jewellery, furnishings, all the best way to funeral objects. Our portfolio showcases high-end and well-known manufacturers like Armani and Ubisoft, Clipper, Nalgene… but in addition small to medium-sized companies. We will work with B2B and B2C retailers on-line and offline since we additionally take in-store operations initiatives. We take delight within the depth of our product and the best way it might simply adapt to the wants of various industries…
We additionally deal with producers who an increasing number of want the implementation of 360 configuration expertise like ours that enables the end-user to configure a product and all of its parts instantly on a 3D mannequin with completely different shapes, textures, colours, but in addition grants the chance to mix completely different merchandise with easy cover and present back-office features.
We take into consideration the retailer wants too, who might not essentially want customization and configuration instruments however nonetheless would need to lower gross sales value and returns and make the person expertise as seamless and actual as doable by simply providing a 3D or AR view of their merchandise. And on that notice, now we have artists and galleries utilizing our instruments to permit prospects to see work and sculptures on their partitions and of their homes which is fairly cool.
And likewise, our buyer care and technical assist. I don’t need to sound too apparent however one factor we stand out for is our outstanding technical assist and buyer care. Which isn’t to be taken as a right with small, self-service companies. Our assist desk system and staff have a five-star strategy with all shoppers and we make no distinction between massive, medium, and small companies. Discontinuity, inconsistency, and disservice are three phrases that shouldn’t be mentioned within the enterprise world. And pardon my French, however, we work our butts off to remove these three phrases from any of our consumer’s dictionaries.
And eventually, we offer continued software program updates and huge new options all year long, each single yr. Yearly now we have a reasonably busy in-house improvement schedule. Simply to provide you an instance, a few weeks in the past we launched our multi-channel characteristic that enables our shoppers to make the most of Zakeke on the identical platform on the identical time. We’re launching within the subsequent couple of weeks a digital try-on answer for face merchandise so we’ll begin with glasses, along with certainly one of our shoppers eCommerce Lounge, after which we’ll transfer on to completely different merchandise you could put on in your face…The opposite essential factor we’re releasing within the subsequent few months is the chance for companies to add third-party catalogs by means of Zakeke. And eventually, I’ll say by the tip of the yr, starting of the following, we can be releasing our embroidery printing operate.
One very last thing I need to say. We’re a younger firm that began in 2017 and as of now, we’re rising out there at a 160% to 200% annual development price. So let’s say we’re the cool child on the block, that’s simply moved in and must make extra pals.
Jay then asks what platforms Zakeke is accessible on.
GAIA: We’re built-in with all of the main platforms so BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Shopify, Shopware, Etsy, and so on. All of the main platforms after which now we have APIs that may be built-in into every other eCommerce platform.
Jay asks in the event that they began primarily within the European market after which unfold out.
GAIA: We have been really 98% worldwide from the start. About 40- 50% of our gross sales come from the US market… So we’re mainly in every single place.
Jay then asks Leo for his enter and asks if Gaia missed something.
LEO: Gaia defined it rather well what we do, what we provide however I did need to say this: in fact, we’re a start-up enterprise as a result of that is our fifth yr however one of many essential issues she talked about was the assist factor, that it’s probably not an apparent factor for a SAS. What I wished so as to add and point out is the chance that now we have to really develop with companies. So that you talked about being partnered with us, actually our job is not only being an answer or a platform however being a dependable accomplice for hundreds of hundreds of companies. We do have greater than 7,000 prospects in 120 nations and also you don’t develop on the price that Gaia talked about in the event you’re not a dependable accomplice for small companies, medium companies, and even multinationals.
You must have your ft on the bottom, that’s why the assist staff is admittedly essential, and it’s worthwhile to perceive the place the market goes, the place shoppers must go, and learn how to really implement options. Gaia additionally talked about a number of updates; now we have no less than one massive replace each month and most of these updates actually come from interactions between us and our prospects. So they’re inside our staff with out even understanding it. As a result of they develop an answer with us that they want, or others may have in one other a part of the world with out understanding it, and so they turn into extra profitable and we turn into extra profitable. And we’re pleased to be an increasing number of profitable as a result of it means, actually, that our prospects are rising and that’s the essential factor on the finish of the day whenever you do this sort of work.
Jay then asks Leo the place the title Zakeke comes from.
LEO: There isn’t a precise actual story or which means. It was only a matter of brainstorming and developing with this unusual title for an answer like ours. It was our staff serious about visuals and sounds and letters and so they got here up with this actually unusual title that doesn’t make any sense.
Visitor Query Lightning Spherical
With that giggle we transfer on to a lightning spherical of three questions from Jay:
- What’s your least favourite enterprise jargon?
LEO: When folks say “we have to transient on this” or “transient this man” or “transient that”, it’s by no means transient.
The factor is, being Italian we have to communicate completely different languages however that’s a very fascinating subject in Italy: using English enterprise phrases inside an Italian dialogue. So that you’ll hear a supervisor whereas talking to you in Italian say phrases like “transient” or “schedule” and also you say, why aren’t you utilizing the Italian phrase for that?GAIA: I discover myself agreeing with Leo with transient. But additionally, when folks need to schedule a name or assembly and also you’re in the identical workplace. And in that second you’re actually doing nothing however speaking to the opposite particular person and you may simply discuss it proper then in that second however folks will postpone or schedule issues for later. I feel optimizing time is one of the best ways to conduct a enterprise and that’s not at all times what occurs. - Are you a gamer? If that’s the case, what are you taking part in?
LEO: I’m a horrible gamer. I used to be good in my childhood. Now I play in additional of a nostalgic method like Tremendous Mario. As an Italian in fact, in the event you don’t play Mario you can not go to highschool. However I don’t have all these new consoles like PlayStation and stuff like that.GAIA: Not a lot myself however in my household my brother, my cousins they’re all massive avid gamers. So I do know just a little bit, not an excessive amount of however just a little bit. And I’m undoubtedly . I don’t assume I’ve had the time ever to concentrate on getting good at gaming however I feel it could be a very fascinating ardour to have.
Jay then tells them that clearly Italy is a utopia the place everybody simply drinks wine, rides bicycles, enjoys the outside whereas he and Emily spend their time in a darkish basement with simply the glow of the TV for firm. Leo agrees and says that really they drink wine and trip bicycles on the identical time. He jokingly says it’s a rustic requirement much like Tremendous Mario expertise.
- I did analysis on this query to ensure it was relevant to Italian friends and sure, this film was launched in Italy underneath the identical title so, have you ever ever seen the hit 80s film Willow?
GAIA: I’ve not. I’ll notice it down and watch it however I’ve not.
LEO: I’ve not both.
Gaia mentions that when she was dwelling within the states she was subjected to going to film trivia nights regularly. Besides all the films have completely different names in Italy so she acquired all of the questions improper each week and would simply drink wine as a substitute. One instance of the sort of translation is House Alone is named “Mama I Misplaced My Airplane” in Italy. One other is Everlasting Sunshine of the Spotless Thoughts is named “If You Depart Me, I’ll Erase You.”
New From EYStudios
With that beautiful little bit of trivia, we transfer onto the eCommerce information of the week beginning with the blogs recent from the EYStudios kitchen:
- Sustaining A Wholesome Hyperlink Constructing Technique
- What Are the Key Issues To Look At When Doing Upkeep on My Web site?
And don’t neglect to take a look at our recap of final week’s podcast episode: Southern Fried eCommerce Episode 21 Recap
TikTok Lengthens Video Time
The primary eCommerce information article we’re discussing this week is TikTok Bumps Up Max Video Size to 10 Minutes from Selection. This text discusses TikTok’s current tripling of their most video size and the way the platform is encroaching on Youtube’s territory with longer content material. Jay asks Gaia if she’s a TikTok person and he or she says she’s extra of an Instagram particular person however in the course of the pandemic, she did join an account. She says she watches content material often however doesn’t publish a lot.
GAIA: It’s undoubtedly a plus that you simply’re in a position to do enterprise with longer movies. Although I’m sort of struggling to assume if I actually would watch a 10-minute lengthy video on TikTok. As a result of I already wrestle to concentrate to movies which might be longer than 1 minute. So I’m probably not positive what you are able to do with 10 minutes. Perhaps it has extra to do with content material methods I’m not conscious of that’s extra Leo’s space.
Jay asks Leo for his opinion and likewise asks if Zakeke has used TikTok of their advertising technique.
LEO: Not but however we’ll. As a result of as you mentioned it’s a very fascinating platform and speaking about visible commerce effectively there’s nothing else that may communicate greater than a video… I can put collectively a 2 minute video exhibiting 2D configurations and it speaks for itself. However like every platform it must be studied, it must be understood and it’s worthwhile to discover the suitable goal. As it’s proper now, in fact, it’s an enormous alternative for lots direct to client enterprise due to course you’ve the Gen Z actually dwelling on that platform the best way possibly our technology, millennials, live on Instagram. And the older technology on Fb.
Leo additionally agrees that it looks like TikTok is simply making an attempt to repeat Youtube and YouTube was copying TikTok with their new Shorts. He argues nonetheless that Snapchat can also be being copied with their 24-hour Tales being one of many first makes use of of brief video content material. He doesn’t assume TikTok made this transfer for entrepreneurs as he doesn’t see a lot use for them however quite to enchantment to creators as a method of claiming “you can also make no matter you need to make” right here. He additionally argues that the one method for TikTok to develop is to try to compete with these different content material platforms that do have longer content material as a result of proper now TikTok is dominating the brief content material market and there’s nowhere to go from #1.
Jay then asks Emily what she thinks about this information. “Is ten minutes too lengthy?”, he asks.
EMILY: Completely. I’m so bored with this. I’ve been ready to speak about this all week as a result of it’s actually been bugging me. I feel it’s only a numbers sport for them at this level for TikTok. I listened to a chat that BigCommerce and TikTok did the place TikTok was mainly saying that customers spend a median of two to 2.5 hours on the platform at any given time. Which is basically like saying somebody sat down and watched a full-length film on this app. Which, sure, that’s completely true: I’ll spend a really important period of time on there simply scrolling however the factor is, it’s as a result of it’s bite-sized content material.
That was the rationale that Vine was profitable within the first place. You possibly can devour a lot media and also you get sucked in and also you’re having a very good time. I imply after they moved to 3-minute content material it jostled lots of people as a result of 3 minutes is a very long time. You need to actually know what you’re doing to remain engaged with these folks and in the event you’re actually simply speaking to speak you’re not doing something of worth so folks will swipe, folks will transfer on, folks will shut the app.
And I feel shifting to 10 minutes, until you’re extraordinarily strategic with it, is one thing that’s simply not going to go effectively. I feel that’s a big purpose why — and don’t get me improper Youtube continues to be very profitable and nonetheless very useful — that youthful technology gravitates towards TikTok due to the best way you could create content material and share content material. And it’s a really distinctive platform and whenever you try to mimic what YouTube is doing you’re actually simply watering it down and making it precisely the identical. Individuals are simply going to maneuver on to the following factor.
I’ve been a really advocate of TikTok for the reason that pandemic as a result of I didn’t notice how particular the content material was and the way artistic folks could be with a minute of content material. So the extra that you simply elongate it the extra you’re simply letting folks simply do the identical factor. Particularly now with the inclusion of all of those new adverts that they do like each third swipe is now an advert. It’s simply completely watered down content material and it’s simply going to make folks finally simply depart. I’m so pissed off by it.
Jay suggests all of us get collectively and create a brand new social media platform that solely permits movies as much as a minute lengthy as that’s the cycle of issues. Gaia suggests a velocity button like in WhatsApp that permits you to skip to the nice elements of a video and get to the purpose. Jay agrees and thinks this can be a billion-dollar thought. He jokes however when the following one comes out it’s not referred to as JayBird he’s going to remorse it.
Jay strikes again to extra critical subjects and says that he agrees with Leo that TikTok is admittedly not the place proper now for B2B content material however that might change with this 10-minute video size most. Leo agrees and thinks that this might change plenty of issues together with the demographic of TikTok and the way folks must conduct themselves on the platform for visibility and engagement. He additionally, as a content material man, says that that is in all probability additionally the time that extra companies with being investing in TikTok content material creation. He thinks technique might want to come extra into play with an extended video size most as a result of simply because you’ve 10 minutes doesn’t imply you want 10 minutes to get your message throughout successfully. He additionally means that influencer advertising may be the go-to technique for lots of companies.
American Eagle Goes Digital
The final article we mentioned is American Eagle debuts on Roblox with inclusive membership showcasing spring attire from Retail Dive. Roblox is a cross between a online game and a social media platform that could be very well-liked with Gen Z and Technology Alpha (these born after 2010). This transfer by American Eagle is certainly one of a number of strikes by the corporate to succeed in these audiences by way of rising platforms.
To begin off we acquired a basic thought of how acquainted everybody was with Roblox as sadly nobody on the podcast qualifies as both Gen Z or Gen Alpha. It appears as if everyone seems to be accustomed to the sport however nobody has performed it.
Leo thinks this idea could be very fascinating particularly with regards to their consumer Ubisoft, one of many largest corporations within the online game business. They initially got here to Zekeke, Leo says, as a result of they wished to permit their prospects to customise their shirts on their eCommerce platform. He offers the instance of shoppers taking part in Murderer’s Creed and screenshotting a very superior second. The participant is then in a position to add that screenshot to the eCommerce platform and purchase a mug or a T-shirt with that screenshot on it. Leo believes that strikes just like the one which American Eagle is making are going to turn into an increasing number of well-liked sooner or later.
Jay agrees and thinks {that a} purchase now choice would be the method ahead. As an example, you’re taking part in Roblox and like an American Eagle outfit effectively now you should purchase it and go choose it up on the retailer in actual life. He additionally brings up the truth that Zekeke is admittedly good at creating entry factors for all-sized companies with regards to new expertise like this. He says it’s one factor for American Eagle to have the ability to digitize a set and enter it into a web based sport however it’s one other for a small mother and pop enterprise to do it. He thinks that Zekeke is the answer and is happy to see what the long run brings. He then asks Gaia if she’s within the metaverse as somebody who is just not a gamer.
GAIA: I feel it have to be an curiosity proper now on this second of historical past as a result of it’s approaching — doesn’t matter in the event you consider in it or not. It’s one thing that’s getting nearer and nearer above all for youthful generations. Typically, I feel we’re all dipping our toes in it little by little.
She then mentions that NFTs may be the following step ahead or it may be one thing fully completely different as a result of proper now the panorama is altering so typically. Jay agrees and thinks that corporations like Zakeke are in an important place to achieve success as a result of they’ve the suitable sort of expertise and their foot within the door when it comes to the sort of enterprise. Gaia agrees and says, “It’s all about getting into the market on the suitable foot.”
Jay then asks Emily as a gamer who’s at present taking part in Horizon Foribben West if he’ll see her exhibiting as much as work in one thing she noticed within the sport or in one thing Alloy (the primary character) would possibly put on. Emily agrees and jokingly remarks that she simply acquired to the half within the sport the place she acquired to strive on her new Nikes and might’t wait to purchase them in actual life. She does say although that she thinks that this can work as a advertising instrument going ahead and that it’s already been efficient in some methods in cellphone apps.
Jay then brings up a present debate in america about whether or not or not these companies ought to have unfettered entry to youngsters and younger teenagers taking part in these video games. He asks, “ought to there be any kind of warning with regards to the sort of advertising?”
EMILY: I feel there at all times ought to be particularly now on this age the place it’s really easy to make a one-click buy; the place children can take your cellphone and purchase in-app purchases very quickly. I feel that’s one thing we ought to be just a little extra conscious of. Will companies be conscious? Most likely not however simply one thing to consider.
GAIA: It ought to however I feel proper now the metaverse, the gaming expertise should not the one locations the place the sort of advertising can really attain youthful generations. I feel proper now we’re within the second the place there are such a lot of channels the place youthful generations are concerned…So I feel it’s extra of the pure warning you must have with youthful generations and media however I don’t assume it’s simply the metaverse or some of these video games themselves.
LEO: I’ll provide the instance of my niece, she’s 4 years outdated, and he or she’ll say issues like ‘can we purchase this on Amazon’ or ask to play a video on YouTube and clicks on adverts, and so on. However in the event you don’t really give entry to a smartphone or these units effectively then she will simply take a look at TVs or promoting another way. I do know it sounds old style however I don’t assume you’ll be able to really draw a line or a restrict the place you’ll be able to enable this to solely these 18+. As a result of anyone can open a Fb account and you’ve got the identical sort of promoting.
Leo brings up that there’s a massive cultural shift between generations. His niece, he says, is aware of learn how to function a smartphone higher than he does. In the meantime, his first cellphone at 14 was a Nokia 3310 that was so brick-like “burglars might use to interrupt into homes.” It had no gaming besides Snake and there undoubtedly wasn’t any promoting. Now children are getting their first smartphones at 10 and he believes it’s going to be tough to try to draw boundaries as soon as that occurs.
Jay agrees and with that, he wraps up the podcast by going over some articles we didn’t have time to speak about right this moment:
- Walmart Leverages Its Shops as A part of its Final-Mile Technique from Winsight Grocery Enterprise.
- Is Analogue the New Digital? Papier Pursues $200 Billion World Stationery Market from Forbes
- Amazon Abruptly Closes Its Bookstores: What Does It Imply For Its Retail Plans? from Forbes
Jay additionally mentions some content material advertising concepts for April 2022 from Sensible eCommerce together with that the day we recorded the podcast was Worker Appreciation Day (Friday, March 4th) and he prolonged his appreciation to Emily. Appreciation was unfold in every single place together with to our fantastic friends Gaia and Leo who we so admire for becoming a member of us. Gaia says she is pleased to return again and discuss eCommerce, darkish humor, ghosts, or actually no matter Jay needs. Leo suggests bringing the ghost as a further visitor for the following episode they be a part of for. Jay thinks this can be a nice thought and thinks his great-grandmother could be an important visitor. Leo agrees and says he’ll carry his great-grandmother and we’ll have a beautiful ghostly episode the place they focus on eCommerce and the metaverse from past the grave.
On that somber notice, we are saying goodbye for now. We hope you loved this episode of Southern Fried eCommerce with a touch of Italian thrown in for good measure. Please, like and subscribe, and ensure to return again subsequent time! Bye now!
About Zakeke
Zakeke empowers manufacturers and retailers to offer customers with seamless customization choices and product personalization by means of 2D, 3D, augmented actuality, and Digital Attempt-on options. Its suite of instruments could be built-in into any eCommerce platform or a model’s back-end to boost the buyer procuring expertise whereas rising gross sales for patrons throughout industries starting from vogue and jewellery to gaming, devices, and sports activities gear. Based in 2017, Zakeke has over 7,000 prospects globally in 120 nations seeking to have interaction customers with an interactive, visually interesting procuring journey. Zakeke is cloud-based, cross-platform, and multi-lingual, making it simple for patrons of all sizes to simply adapt, develop gross sales and scale up!
