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LEARNEmail Marketing
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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone dismiss email marketing as “old-school” or “not worth it.” Email marketing is the underdog in digital marketing that just never dies. You can’t beat an inbox for connecting directly with your audience.

If you’re ready to find out why this method still reigns supreme, keep reading.

In this lesson, I explore the power and importance of email marketing as a reliable tool in a crowded digital landscape. We start by discussing why email marketing remains a cornerstone of digital strategies, highlighting its ability to drive conversions more effectively than social media. I also cover how to set up a successful email marketing strategy, from building a targeted list to defining clear goals and KPIs. By choosing the right tools and crafting engaging emails, you can ensure long-term success.

Start Reading Foundational Guide

In this lesson, we’ll cover the essential steps to building a successful email list from scratch. I’ll guide you through the importance of email marketing as a direct and controllable tool for business growth, and explore effective strategies for rapidly growing your list. You’ll learn the differences between single and double opt-in methods, how to select the right email service provider, and create compelling lead magnets. Additionally, we’ll discuss segmentation, automation, and best practices to nurture your list and maximize conversions.

Start Reading List Building

In this lesson, you’ll discover how email marketing tools can simplify and enhance your marketing efforts. I’ll guide you through key features to look for, including automation, segmentation, personalization, and analytics. You’ll learn how to choose the right platform based on your business needs and explore popular tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit. Additionally, I’ll share tips for scaling your campaigns and avoiding common mistakes, helping you create effective email marketing strategies that engage and convert.

Start Reading Tools & Software

In this lesson, I will guide you through the essential components of writing better emails that engage and drive action. We’ll explore why email marketing remains a powerful tool, despite new trends in digital marketing, and how to craft emails that feel personal and authentic. You will learn how to write compelling subject lines, strong openings, and effective CTAs, while avoiding common pitfalls. I’ll also share strategies for growing and segmenting your email list to maximize relevance and engagement.

Start Reading Copywriting & Messaging

In this lesson, I will guide you through the fundamentals of A/B testing in email marketing. You’ll learn how to optimize key elements of your emails, such as subject lines, CTAs, and design, to improve open rates, click-throughs, and conversions. I’ll walk you through setting up, analyzing, and iterating on tests, with a focus on avoiding common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make data-driven decisions to enhance your email campaigns and boost performance.

Start Reading A/B Testing & Optimization

In this lesson, we will explore how to effectively leverage email marketing as a reliable revenue engine. You will learn how to set clear objectives, build and segment your email list, and craft compelling emails that drive engagement. We’ll dive into measuring success through key metrics, discuss common pitfalls, and examine the balance between personalization and privacy. By the end, you’ll be equipped with actionable strategies to create, execute, and optimize your email marketing campaigns.

Start Reading Strategy
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Shane Barker
Digital Marketing Expert
A smiling man with a beard, wearing a buttoned white shirt and a dark blazer, holds an open book with architectural images.
A smiling man with a beard, wearing a buttoned white shirt and a dark blazer, holds an open book with architectural images.

Meet Shane Barker

Hi, I’m Shane. If you’re in the online marketing space, chances are you’ve seen my name pop-up on your screen before. Whether it’s an article I’ve written, a talk I’ve given, or heck, you might’ve even met me at a conference.

I’ve been in this game since my Gen Z audience was crawling around in diapers, and I’ve seen more action than my baby boomer audience did in the ’60s.

On this page, I want to share all my contributions to the online marketing space. Here you can check out every podcast I’ve ever recorded and every think piece I’ve ever thought.

Welcome to casa-de-shane, population: you.

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Listen, Learn, Grow

Growth Marketing Podcast

Join Shane in 186 conversations to fuel your next breakthrough.

Discover elite growth marketing strategies from world-class marketers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. Learn from over 90 hours where Shane tackles the challenges, pitfalls, and solutions for building successful online businesses.

Go deeper into the software, technologies, tips, tricks, and hacks the pros use to generate sales and scale their companies!

Tune in as Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, details the tech-driven transformation of the landscaping industry and explores the future of lawn care.

Bryan Clayton, a seasoned entrepreneur, shares his bootstrapping strategies and insights on the pitfalls of venture capital in this must-listen podcast episode.

Bryan Clayton, Co-Founder & CEO of GreenPal, shares his bootstrapping journey and strategies for building a thriving online lawn care marketplace.

Timothy Wu, Nearside innovator and startup expert, reveals how adopting a startup mindset and proactive ownership drives innovation in large companies.

Timothy Wu from Nearside explains how to transform negative customer feedback into growth strategies using both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Timothy Wu, Head of Growth at Nearside, shares insights on innovative financial solutions that empower small businesses and gig economy entrepreneurs.

Vivien Garnes, Upfluence CEO & co-founder, reveals data-driven influencer marketing insights, social commerce strategies, and campaign optimization tips.

News & Media Features

An archive of Shane's features in the news & media

Over 20 years of experience and hundreds of media features. From the New York Post to Vice, see why Shane’s digital marketing expertise is beloved and trusted by outlets everywhere.

Below, you’ll find an archive of Shane’s contributions to various major media outlets, showing his highly in-demand expertise.

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Adweek

Volvo Debuts Its First Ad Created Solely By AI—and There’s Not a Single Car In It

In Adweek, Shane Barker highlights the ad’s depiction of Saudi women, legally allowed to drive only since 2018, as a sign of progress and unity. He notes, “It feels like they’re trying to bring the community together through EVs.”

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Robert Klara
Apr 19, 2025

SpiceWorks

How AI Can Help to Optimize Your Social Media Marketing Campaigns

Shane Barker, featured in SpiceWorks, is a digital marketing consultant known for utilizing AI to enhance social media strategies. He helps brands improve engagement and influencer discovery, with marketers globally depending on his methodologies for accelerated growth.

Blog Hands

13 Marketing Experts Discuss the Role and Future of Blogging

Shane Barker emphasizes blogging’s importance in campaigns for Blog Hands. He advises brands to create resonant content to drive organic traffic and establish authority, ultimately converting readers into loyal customers.

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Chris Hornak
Feb 5, 2025

crazyeggblog

The 8 Best Influencer Marketing Blogs

Shane Barker’s blog on crazyeggblog features a dedicated Influencer Marketing section, offering practical advice for brands and creators. His content provides clear how-tos, resources, and templates to navigate today’s influencer-driven landscape successfully.

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Laura Ojeda Melchor
Jan 20, 2025

Adweek

Worried Sick About TikTok’s Looming Fate? Here Are Three Reasons to Chill Out.

In Adweek, Shane Barker highlights TikTok’s unique strength: “The value of TikTok is its audience and virality—things can really take off. The app’s algorithm fosters massive exposure, making it a standout for influencers.”

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Robert Klara
Jan 16, 2025

SpiceWorks

Major Benefits of Digital Transformation for Your Small Business

Shane Barker was featured in SpiceWorks for his expertise in helping small businesses embrace digital transformation. He provides guidance on leveraging technology and innovative marketing strategies to accelerate growth and enhance efficiency in meeting customer demands.

Ryan Robinson

51 Best Blogging Quotes (from Top Bloggers)

In an article for Ryan Robinson, Shane Barker emphasizes that “Your first blog posts won’t be perfect—but you just have to do it. You have to start somewhere,” highlighting the importance of consistent practice for new bloggers.

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Ryan Robinson
Dec 4, 2024
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Contributed to over 250 industry publications & websites

An archive of Shane’s work & insights from across the web

With two decades in the digital marketing space, Shane has carved out a niche as one of the field’s thought leaders. His insights help digital marketers and online entrepreneurs realize their true potential.

Below, you’ll find Shane’s contributions to digital marketing platforms.

See all of Shane's contributions

Improvado

A Quick and Easy Guide to Embedded Analytics

Improvado published Shane Barker’s expert guide on embedded analytics, detailing how businesses can transform raw data into actionable insights. Shane highlights key benefits such as enhanced reporting, better visualization, and competitive advantage, alongside practical steps for implementing scalable, secure analytics solutions effectively in today’s market.

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Shane Barker
Feb 13, 2025

Jobillico

How to Identify and Overcome Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace

Shane Barker explores the workplace impact of imposter syndrome in this article, offering actionable strategies for employees and HR teams. His insights highlight how reframing mindset, leveraging AI tools, and fostering a supportive culture can help professionals overcome self-doubt, enabling them to thrive and excel throughout their careers.

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Shane Barker
Jan 7, 2025

upGrad

Must-have SEO Tools to Explode your Ranks in 2025

This in-depth guide on upGrad blog details essential SEO tools for marketers in 2025. Shane provides expert insights into keyword research, technical SEO, content optimization, and competitor analysis, enabling readers to select effective tools that enhance rankings and deliver measurable results, ultimately transforming their digital marketing strategies.

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Shane Barker
Nov 18, 2024

Expert Beacon

Deconstructing Google‘s Hardest Interview Question: Shortest Path With Obstacle Elimination – ExpertBeacon

Featured on Expert Beacon’s blog, this article offers a detailed breakdown of one of Google’s toughest interview challenges — the “Shortest Path with Obstacle Elimination” problem. Shane walks readers through the algorithmic approach, coding strategies, and optimization techniques to assist candidates in preparing for challenging technical interviews they might encounter.

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Shane Barker
Oct 12, 2024

Expert Beacon

Cracking The Code On Google‘s Googleyness Interview Questions – ExpertBeacon

Highlighted on Expert Beacon’s blog, this detailed guide unravels the complex concept of “Googleyness” in Google’s hiring process. Shane guides readers through essential cultural traits valued by Google, presents sample interview questions, and shares expert storytelling techniques to assist candidates in standing out with genuine authenticity and significant impact.

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Shane Barker
Oct 12, 2024

Expert Beacon

How To Get Google Alerts In Microsoft Teams – ExpertBeacon

On Expert Beacon’s blog, Shane Barker provides a detailed guide for integrating Google Alerts with Microsoft Outlook and Teams. He explains how professionals can enhance competitive intelligence, brand monitoring, and thought leadership by automating the delivery of alerts to their Microsoft tools, thus increasing efficiency in their workflow.

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Shane Barker
Oct 7, 2024

Mention

PR Crisis Management: 10 Effective Strategies (2025)

On Mention’s blog, Shane Barker provides practical and real-world strategies for managing public relations crises with clarity and empathy. This detailed guide explains how brands can leverage technology, effective messaging, and proactive planning to protect their reputation and rebuild trust after a crisis occurs, ensuring lasting recovery.

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Shane Barker
Sep 17, 2024

Cited Work

An archive of Shane’s work & insights from across the web

Over the past two decades, Shane Barker’s thought leadership in digital marketing has gained recognition among scholars worldwide. With over 170 academic citations spanning multiple countries and diverse subject areas, his insights continue to shape research in influencer marketing, SEO, content strategy, and beyond.

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive archive of the scholarly papers that reference Shane’s work—illuminating his far-reaching impact on both industry and academia.

See all of Shane's citations
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Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW

Studierendenprojekte – Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW

Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW published a bachelor thesis by Michel Bacher and Valerio Petraccaro exploring influencer marketing strategies for Suisseporcs. The study aims to help the Swiss pork association address public perception, justify pricing, and boost domestic market coverage through a practical influencer marketing guide.

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Bacher, Michel; Petraccaro, Valerio
2025

European University of Cyprus

The impact of social media marketing and celebrity endorsement on consumer behavior

A 2021 MBA thesis by Anastazia Kyriakou that explores the effects of social media marketing and celebrity endorsements on consumer behavior. The study highlights how these tools can drive brand awareness and influence purchase decisions when used effectively by businesses.

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Kyriakou, Anastazia
2025

Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü

Fenomen pazarlama (influencer marketing): Dijital pazarlamanın kanaat önderleri üzerine araştırma

Yükseköğretim Kurulu Açık Bilim features a 2019 thesis by Sibel Yağcı examining how influencer marketing functions as a bridge between brands and target audiences. Drawing on opinion leadership theory, the study explores how digital influencers shape consumer attitudes and behaviors on social media.

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Yağci, Sibel
2025

Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Social Media, Privacidade e Dados Online: Implicações para a Comunicação e Marketing

RCAAP features a 2021 master’s thesis by Maria Magdalena Faria and Melo de Almeida exploring how social media marketing strategies intersect with online privacy concerns. Through a survey of young adults, the research reveals widespread distrust toward data use practices, despite continued engagement with social platforms.

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Bello, Maria Madalena
2025

Universidade da Maia

Social media marketing e os influencers

Repositório Científico da UMAIA hosts a 2019 master’s thesis by Mariana Raquel Oliveira examining how social media influencers have transformed digital marketing. The research proposes a platform concept to streamline influencer-driven campaigns for businesses seeking targeted promotions across social media channels.

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Oliveira, Mariana Raquel
2025

Auckl& University of Technology

Digitally Naive to Digital Natives: Changes in the Social Media Landscape from the Perspective of Women in New Zealand

Auckland University of Technology’s 2021 master’s thesis by Riddhi Jayant Shriyan explores how young women in New Zealand navigate evolving social media platforms. Focusing on Instagram, the study highlights shifting content preferences and usage motives that influence both personal identity and professional development.

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Shriyan, Riddhi Jayant
2025

San Diego State University

How Has the Security Landscape Changed in the Last Ten Years with the Rise of Social Media Influencers

San Diego State University’s 2020 thesis by Melissa Keren Ohana explores how the rise of influencer culture has reshaped the security landscape. Highlighting threats ranging from cyberattacks to physical dangers, the study reveals the growing vulnerability of influencers in an era where fame is more accessible but less protected.

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Ohana, Melissa Keren
2025
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Talks & Interviews

An archive of Shane’s work & insights from across the web

With two decades in the digital marketing space, Shane has carved out a niche as one of the field’s thought leaders. His insights help digital marketers and online entrepreneurs realize their true potential.

Below, you’ll find Shane’s contributions to digital marketing platforms.

Browse 170+ talk & interviews

Heneka Watkis-Porter

How to Build a Successful Influencer Marketing Program, with Shane Barker

Shane Barker shares with Heneka Watkis-Porter how to build a scalable, ROI-driven influencer marketing program—breaking down strategy, tools, and mindset for brands. From grassroots engagement to enterprise campaigns, it’s a masterclass in influencer marketing done right.

Watch original interview
25 mins, 50 secs
Mar 7, 2024

Vacation Rental Formula Business School

VRS310 – How to Make Influencer Marketing Work for Your Short Term Rental Business with Shane Barker

Shane Barker joins Heather Bayer on the Vacation Rental Success Podcast to reveal actionable tips for using influencer marketing to drive bookings in the short-term rental space. Learn how to negotiate, find the right influencers, and measure ROI.

Watch original interview
53 mins, 5 secs
Jan 24, 2024

SaaS Sessions

S1E2 – Ultimate Video Marketing Strategy ft. Shane Barker

On SaaS Sessions, Shane Barker dives into the power of video marketing for B2B brands—covering lead generation, platform strategies, and personalization tools like Bonjoro. A must-listen for SaaS marketers ready to scale with high-converting content.

Watch original interview
15 mins, 58 secs
Jan 18, 2024

Getida

Helping Amazon Sellers Remove Negative Reviews | Shane Barker

On Getida’s PrimeTalk Podcast, Shane Barker, Founder and CEO of TraceFuse.ai, reveals how Amazon sellers can ethically remove negative reviews using AI-driven strategies. Discover actionable methods to safeguard your brand reputation and boost conversion rates.

Watch original interview
53 mins, 47 secs
Dec 7, 2023

Getida

Optimizing Amazon Reviews: White-Hat Techniques | Shane Barker

Shane Barker joins the Sellernomics Podcast by Getida, revealing powerful white-hat strategies for optimizing Amazon product reviews. Learn how ethical, AI-driven tactics can effectively combat negative reviews, boost customer trust, and elevate your brand’s reputation on Amazon—without risking compliance issues.

Watch original interview
37 mins, 13 secs
Oct 4, 2023

Ecomcy

How To Get Rid Of Your Negative Reviews – Shane Barker – EP# 155

Shane Barker joins The Ecommerce Lab Podcast hosted by Ecomcy, sharing actionable insights on removing negative reviews, protecting your online reputation, and converting customer feedback into growth opportunities. Discover strategies to enhance brand credibility and navigate complex review management processes effectively.

Watch original interview
30 mins, 26 secs
Sep 21, 2023

BlueTuskr

How to Conquer the Amazon Reviews Jungle with TraceFuse | EP. #97

On BlueTuskr’s “The E‑Comm Show Podcast,” Andrew and Shane Barker tackle the Amazon reviews jungle—revealing TraceFuse strategies to boost ratings, counteract negative feedback, and leverage algorithm insights for brand credibility and measurable e‑commerce growth.

Watch original interview
30 mins, 17 secs
Aug 9, 2023
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Long Time Author & Thought Leader

Published Books

Shane Barker’s self-published library covers every corner of the digital marketing landscape—whether you’re looking to boost website traffic, launch products successfully, or tap into the power of influencer collaborations. Explore the collection below and discover why Shane Barker’s writing has become a go-to resource for marketers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals worldwide.
Explore Shane's book collection
Ebook cover titled “The Ultimate Influencer Marketing Playbook for the Hotel Industry” by Shane Barker, featuring illustrated characters, a seated man, and marketing visuals on a white and navy background.

The Ultimate Influencer Marketing Playbook for the Hotel Industry

From strategy to execution, this in-depth guide equips hotels with everything needed to run a powerful influencer marketing campaign that actually delivers results.

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Shane Barker
Dec 22, 2024
Ebook cover titled “Learn Tried-and-Tested Content Marketing Strategies That Really Work” by Shane Barker, featuring illustrated characters discussing strategy with charts and arrows.

Learn Tried-and-Tested Content Marketing Strategies and Tactics That Really Work

Want to put your name on the map as an industry leader? This book reveals a powerful content strategy to build authority, outshine competitors, and attract high-profile opportunities.

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Shane Barker
Dec 22, 2024
Ebook cover titled “The Definitive Guide to Finding the Right Influencers for Your Campaigns” by Shane Barker, showing illustrated characters engaging with influencer content on a screen.

The Definitive Guide To Finding The Right Influencers For Your Campaigns

Tired of wasting money on ineffective influencers? Learn how to identify, vet, and partner with the right ones to maximize your brand’s reach and sales.

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Shane Barker
Dec 22, 2024
Ebook cover titled “The Ultimate Handbook for Product Launch Success” by Shane Barker, with a bold blue design and white text emphasizing “SUCCESS.”

The Ultimate Handbook For Product Launch Success

Launching a product is tough—most fail! This in-depth guide walks you through proven strategies to evaluate your product, outshine competitors, and achieve lasting success.

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Shane Barker
Dec 22, 2024
Ebook cover titled “Unlock the 35 Tried-and-Tested Ways of Growing Your Website Traffic” by Shane Barker, featuring an illustrated man launching a rocket amid analytics and bar charts.

Unlock the 35 Tried-And-Tested Ways of Growing Your Website Traffic

Struggling with low website traffic? This book gives you actionable strategies to attract more visitors, boost engagement, and drive real conversions—without wasting time on ineffective tactics.

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Shane Barker
Dec 22, 2024

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