Episode Title: Building and Growing a Connected Community with Laura Yecies

Guest: Laura Yecies, COO of Mobilize.io

Host: Arlen Robinson

In this episode of the eCommerce Marketing Podcast, Arlen Robinson interviews Laura Yecies, COO of Mobilize.io. Laura shares her extensive experience in the technology industry and discusses the importance of building and growing a connected community for e-commerce businesses. She offers practical advice on how startups can engage their audience, create valuable content, and leverage different platforms to foster a thriving community.

Key Takeaways:

• Introduction to Laura Yecies and Her Background (00:00:42)
  • Laura’s journey from working on enterprise software to consumer technology, including her roles at Netscape, Yahoo Mail, and various startups (00:02:45).
  • Her passion for user productivity and communication-oriented software (00:04:15).
• Importance of Building a Community (00:06:00)
  • The role of community in creating a sense of belonging and brand affinity (00:06:30).
  • Examples from early Apple user groups demonstrating the power of community (00:07:00).
• Strategies for Growing a Community (00:07:30)
  • Inviting prospects and customers to join a community rather than just pushing sales (00:07:45).
  • The significance of content in engaging community members, including success stories and how-to guides (00:08:00).
  • Featuring thought leaders to add value and credibility (00:09:00).
• Setting Up and Managing a Community (00:11:30)
  • Making it easy to join and participate in the community, including options for open or closed groups (00:12:00).
  • Importance of moderation to ensure a safe and comfortable environment (00:13:00).
• Facilitating Two-Way Communication (00:14:30)
  • Being authentic and transparent in community interactions to build trust (00:15:00).
  • Allowing community members to share their own experiences and testimonials (00:16:30).
• Effective Platforms for Community Building (00:18:00)
  • Using Facebook for its viral reach while acknowledging its limitations (00:18:30).
  • Leveraging Mobilize.io for focused and distraction-free community engagement (00:19:00).
  • Combining different platforms for maximum reach and control (00:20:00).
• Technologies for Communication (00:21:30)
  • Offering multiple communication channels to meet customers where they are, including mobile apps, email, and web platforms (00:22:00).
• Final Advice for E-commerce Businesses (00:26:00)
  • Emphasizing the long-term value and satisfaction derived from building a community (00:26:30).
  • Encouraging both B2C and B2B businesses to foster communities for professional development and social engagement (00:28:00).

Guest Information:

• Laura Yecies
• COO, Mobilize.io
• Website: Mobilize.io

Links and Resources:

• Download the six-month guide to marketing your e-commerce store: Get OSI Guide
• Subscribe to the eCommerce Marketing Podcast on iTunes and leave a rating and review.