Scott Sanfilippo's Blog

I’ve always been a big fan or promotional merchandise – as a receiver and a giver. Trade shows would be nothing without promotional merchandise. 99.9% of attendees only go to come back with suitcases filled with coffee mugs, letter openers, fridge magnets, stress balls and other stuff that makes airport… Read More "“Thanking Your Customers with Promotional Merchandise.” Or, “Watch the Ruler!”"

Where has the summer gone? The kids are back in school, the Labor Day weekend is almost upon us and it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. If you’re in the eCommerce business, the 4th quarter is the holy grail for most of you, so you’ve got to make… Read More "“Jingle All the Way!” Or, “Getting Your eCommerce Store Prepped for the Holidays”"

I was introduced to someone the other night and after the obligatory, unsanitary practice of shaking hands, the older gentleman said, “are you the Internet guy?” “Yes, I am. But unlike Al Gore, I don’t lay claim to inventing it,” I joked. He quipped back, “Are you into that porn… Read More "“The Internet is Full of What?” Or, “Thanks for the Introduction.”"

I’m sure at some point in your life you’ve seen the television commercial with the frazzled woman complaining about a barking dog, a screaming kid, the neighborhood groper and other assorted annoyances of daily life. As she screams “Calgon, take me away!” a guy with a mellow voice says, “Lose… Read More "“Calgon, Take Me Away!” Or, “Don’t Let Apathetic Employees Ruin Your Business.”"

A friend of mine texted me in a panic saying, “I Googled ‘Latvian women’ and your website came up. WTF?” Not wanting to blow my cover and share my secret fantasy with him, I quickly turned the conversation around and said, “NM that – what are you doing looking for… Read More "“Using Google Alerts to Manage Your Online Reputation.” Or, “Please Don’t Call Me Scotty.”"

For some reason, I just can’t pronounce the damn word. I know it’s “interest” with a “p” in front of it, but for some reason, I always add in a couple extra syllables. However you or I pronounce it, Pinterest is the latest social media site taking the Internet by… Read More "“Growing Your eCommerce Business With Pinterest.” Or, “One, Two, Three… Pin It!”"

When it comes to chicken sandwiches, I have to say my favorite is the Original Chicken Sandwich from Burger King. Now I’m almost 100% certain that it doesn’t contain a single ounce of real chicken and is just a bunch of salty ingredients pressed into a patty that tastes like… Read More "“Thinking Outside the Hen House.” Or, “What the Cluck is the Fuss with Chick-Fil-A?”"

I can’t let a week go by without another installment of “10 Questions” – my weekly sit-down with an eCommerce store owner to learn more about their businesses, get inside their head to see what they’re doing to rake in sales and hopefully score some swag. So far, I’m swagless.… Read More "“Tales from the Trenches.” Or, “10 Questions with Steve Berg of Patriot Surplus.”"

When it comes to finding a niche and building a business around it, I thought I held the title for “most unique.” After all, how many people out there are selling hats and sweaters for weasels? Well, there are a few now, but when I was a purveyor of all… Read More "“Setting their Sights on a Colorful Niche.” Or, “10 Questions with eCommerce Store Owner Kaleidoscope Karl.”"

Earlier this morning I spent about two hours in the ocean.  Now when it’s a little on the rough side, like it is today, I tend to stay out of the water and instead throw some ice cubes down my pants to cool off.  However, being that the heat index… Read More "“Chopsticks & Doggy Paddle.” Or, “You’re Never Too Old To Learn.”"