EP 35: Beyond the List: Building Engaged Brand Communities Online
Send It! · with Jimmy Kim & Chase Dimond · June 17, 2025 · 53 min
Summary
This episode challenges the traditional view of email lists, advocating for the creation of engaged brand communities instead. It provides practical strategies for ecommerce operators to foster deeper connections with their audience, moving beyond transactional relationships to build loyalty and drive sustainable revenue through retention. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding customer journeys and tailoring communication to create a more impactful retention engine.
Key takeaways
Focus on building a genuine community around your brand, not just collecting email addresses, to drive long-term customer engagement and loyalty.
Audit your current retention strategies and customer journeys to identify gaps and opportunities for fostering deeper connections with your audience.
Utilize planning templates for core campaigns and automations that prioritize revenue generation over simply sending emails.
Implement strategies to turn high-level retention ideas into clear, actionable plans that can be executed and measured effectively.
Leverage email and SMS for more than just promotions, using them to nurture relationships and reinforce brand community values.
Most brands build a list. The best brands build a community.In this episode, Jimmy and Chase break down the difference between having subscribers and creating a true brand community and why it matters more than ever. From Glossier to Gymshark to Peloton, the brands winning in today’s market are the ones turning one-way messages into two-way conversations (and multi-way customer connections).You’ll learn how to use email and SMS as your foundation for community, why identity-based value beats discounts every time, and how to grow without diluting the vibe. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling an engaged tribe, this one’s packed with frameworks, examples, and takeaways you can apply now.EP 35: Beyond the List: Building Engaged Brand Communities OnlineHere's what we're diving into:- The key difference between subscriber lists and brand communities- How to use email & SMS as your core community channels- 3 frameworks for intentional community design- Value exchange strategies that go beyond discounts- Concentric circle growth: how to scale without losing authenticity- Ways to integrate community into your current email/SMS program- Full-funnel community building (starting with retention, then acquisition)Thank you our friends at Omnisend, Raleon and eCom Email Certified for sponsoring the podcast!Omnisend is an all in one eCommerce email and SMS marketing automation platform that enables marketers to engage customers and drive sales through personalized experiences. https://eemtrk.com/omnisend-senditRaleon is your AI-powered retention team built to help Shopify brands increase LTV and save hours every week. From segmentation to campaign planning, Raleon automates the grind so you can focus on strategy that scales. https://eemtrk.com/sendit-raleoneCom Email
