Episoder
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Why Stripe Declines Upsells & How to Fix It: Optimize Your Funnel for More Conversions
If your upsells are getting declined—especially after the front-end sale goes through—this episode is a must-watch. 💳 In this in-depth breakdown, Maria Sparagis explains exactly why Stripe and other payment processors may be flagging your upsell offers, and what you can do to increase approval rates in your checkout funnel.
🔍 Learn:
- Why upsells and order bumps get flagged—even after a front-end sale
- How Stripe Radar rules and default settings could be killing your conversions
- The importance of vaulting (tokenizing) customer card data
- Why low front-end price points might backfire on your funnel
- Pro techniques like "authorize and settle" for multi-step checkouts
- The risks of duplicate price points & how to avoid “do not honor” declines
Whether you're using Systeme.io, ClickFunnels, WooCommerce, or any other cart tool—if you rely on Stripe for payment processing, this episode will help you recover lost sales and maximize your AOV (average order value).
📈 For those running DTC funnels or subscription models, Maria shares specific Stripe Radar settings to audit, tweak, and monitor.
💬 Questions? Need help with Stripe or merchant accounts?
Contact Maria’s team at DirectPayNet to get expert guidance and hands-on support. ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
1:02 Stripe Causing Declines
2:59 #1 Tokenize Data
5:14 #2 Price Test
7:05 Stripe Radar Tweaks
8:11 Velocity Checks
11:51 Gradual, not Rapid
12:59 Don’t Contact Stripe
14:11 Increase Conversions
18:33 Bonus Tip
22:14 Summary
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if this helped you!
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Choosing the Best Payment Processor for Your Online Business in 2025
Wondering which payment processor is right for your online store? In this episode, Maria Sparagis (CEO of DirectPayNet) explains the crucial differences between popular PSPs like Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and getting your own dedicated merchant account.
What you’ll learn:
- How Stripe and PayPal work for startups vs. scaling businesses
- Hidden fees you might be ignoring
- Why your business might outgrow Stripe sooner than you think
- How a merchant account can increase your approval rates and protect you from sudden shutdowns
- Easy integration tips that debunk the “merchant accounts are hard” myth
Whether you sell digital products, subscriptions, coaching, or physical goods, this guide will help you pick the best payment processor in 2025 to maximize your revenue and keep your business stable.
Many small businesses get lulled into Stripe’s convenience — until it bites them later with freezes, zero human support, or hidden fees. Graduating to a merchant account is not only about saving money but protecting your cash flow from algorithmic shutdowns
Subscribe for more payment processing secrets, fraud prevention tips, and e-commerce success strategies!
0:00 into
0:53 2 Types of Processors
2:00 Why Not Choose a PSP
5:42 Scaling Your Business
10:45 Plug-and-Play
12:48 Application Process
14:07 PSP vs Merchant Account
21:31 Outro
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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Manglende episoder?
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Are webinars really making a comeback? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with Gia Liossis of GIAffiliate Management to find out why webinars might be your brand’s untapped goldmine—especially if you’re in health, beauty, supplements, or coaching.
We get into:
- Why webinars still work in 2025 (and who they don’t work for)
- The best affiliate audiences for webinar conversions
- Tips to get people to actually show up live (hint: it’s not just giveaways)
- Live Q&As vs. product discounts – which builds more trust?
- What kind of opt-ins and show-up rates you should aim for
- Whether you need a doctor or influencer to run one (spoiler: nope)
Gia also shares behind-the-scenes stories from high-converting campaigns, including one affiliate who 10xed their earnings per click (EPC) just by running a webinar.
If you’ve been sleeping on webinars—or think they’re "so 2008"—this one will wake you up. 😅
0:00 Meet Gia Liossis
2:54 Who Are Webinars For?
5:17 How to Get People to Join
7:24 Where to Find Webinar Traffic
13:19 Free vs Paid
16:18 How to Get People to Opt In
22:08 Providing Value
25:33 Webinar Targeting
27:57 Best Hosting Time
30:05 How to Start
34:30 Outro
💬 Got questions about affiliate traffic or want to connect with Gia? Drop a comment below, DM me directly, or get in touch with her at https://www.facebook.com/gia.liosi
#AffiliateMarketing #Webinars #DigitalMarketing #HealthBrands #InfoProducts #Entrepreneurship
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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In this episode, Alex and get into the wild world of hiring — and what happens when 350 people apply for a job... but only eight follow simple instructions.
Whether you're a job seeker wondering why you're not landing interviews, or a small business owner trying to avoid the chaos of recruiting, this conversation offers raw insights, real numbers, and a surprisingly effective hiring hack that saved thousands in recruiter fees.
💡 Topics Covered:
- Why 97% of job applicants failed instantly
- The simple test that filtered 350 applicants
- Why younger candidates may be more coachable than experienced ones
- How to find great hires without a recruiter
- Advice for job seekers on standing out in a competitive market
🚀 Whether you're building a business or building your career, this episode will change how you approach the hiring process — and maybe even how you write your next job application.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on today’s topic!
0:00 Intro
2:30 Meeting the Qualifications
7:44 Read the Requirements
12:03 Drop Your Ego
16:04 When to Ask the Right Questions
21:27 Pay Attention to Detail
23:49 Showcasing Your Potential
27:25 Outro
#HiringTips #SmallBusiness #JobSearch #Recruiting #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveAssistant #GenZWorkforce #HiringMistakes #MariaAndAlex
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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Worried about the looming recession and how it might impact your online business? In this episode, we're diving deep into recession-proof strategies for e-commerce and direct response brands.
I’m joined by Alex to explore how businesses can thrive, not just survive, during economic uncertainty.
We cover:
✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever in 2025
✅ How micro-influencers can boost conversions and protect your PR
✅ Must-know payment trends: Buy Now, Pay Later, Apple Pay, ACH & more
✅ How to avoid chargebacks and reduce refund rates during downturns
✅ Mobile vs. desktop checkout optimization tips that really move the needle
✅ Whether you should be spending more on ads during a recession
✅ Smart pricing strategies amidst global tariff uncertainty
Whether you're running an e-commerce shop, coaching business, supplement brand, or selling digital products, this episode is packed with real-world tactics to stay ahead in a slowing economy.
💬 Got a question or a challenge you're facing? Drop it in the comments—your question might shape a future episode.
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insider tips on scaling smart in 2025.
#Recession2025 #EcommerceTips #DirectResponseMarketing #OnlineBusiness #PaymentProcessing #BuyNowPayLater #BNPL #MobileCheckout #Tariffs2025 #MarketingStrategy
0:00 intro
1:47 #1 Opportunity for Businesses in a Recession
8:25 Should You Spend More During a Recession?
10:06 Pricing Strategies
12:42 Payment Methods to Offer
21:21 Optimizing Your Fees
25:54 Reducing Disputes and Chargebacks
31:59 Mobile Optimizations
37:00 Outro
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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💸 Stripe’s NEW Dispute Fees Are Outrageous — What You *Must* Know to Protect Your Business
Stripe just changed the game — and not in a good way. Business owners now face a $30 fee to fight disputes, and if you let Stripe’s “Smart Disputes” AI win them for you, they’ll keep 30% of the recovered amount. Seriously.
In this episode, I pull no punches, breaking down why Stripe's new policy is deeply predatory, how it's forcing sellers into a lose-lose scenario, and what you can do to protect your profits.
👉 You’ll learn:
* Why Stripe doubled the dispute fee from $15 to $30 — even if you win
* How their Smart Disputes AI takes 30% of recovered funds (yes, really)
* Whether you should fight disputes manually or let AI handle it (and what it’ll cost you)
* Practical strategies to improve your win rate and avoid disputes in the first place
* Proof you need to gather (contracts, IP logs, delivery receipts, etc.)
* Why Stripe’s AI may *fail* you — and how to fight back
* Alternatives to Stripe with real human support
🧠 Whether you're running a 6-figure store or scaling past 7, this episode delivers hard truth, actionable tips, and clear guidance on navigating Stripe’s increasingly automated and costly system.
📩 Want my full chargeback-fighting guide? Drop a comment or reach out via [email protected].
🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to stay ahead of the curve in fintech, e-commerce, and digital sales strategy.
0:00 Intro
0:30 Stripe’s 30% Take and New Dispute Rules
4:49 What Businesses Do WRONG About Disputes
8:50 How to WIN a Dispute
14:13 Best Stripe Alternatives
18:00 Outro
HOW TO PREVENT DISPUTES: https://youtu.be/ZpsuSibwbPg
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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In this episode my media guy Alex and I dive deep into the implications of Capital One's recent acquisition of Discover. We get into how this major shakeup could affect business owners who accept Discover cards, including potential changes to processing fees, merchant account structures, and overall payment dynamics.
There are parallels to Amex's OptBlue program, which might show how Capital One aims to streamline Discover's merchant onboarding process—potentially increasing costs but also making the card more widely adopted. Also, Capital One's likely strategy of boosting Discover's rewards program could drive consumer demand and force businesses to adapt.
If you're a business owner or just curious about the evolving payments landscape, this episode is a must-listen. Find out how these changes could impact your bottom line and what steps you might need to take to stay ahead.
💡 Questions about payment processing or Capital One's acquisition of Discover? Drop them in the comments!
🔔 Subscribe for more news, insights, and strategies.
📧 Get in touch at [email protected] or apply directly at directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
1:45 Your Fees Will Change
5:37 CapOne Is the New AMEX
10:39 Forced Acceptance?
12:43 Deny Discover at Checkout?
15:55 Outro
#CapitalOne #DiscoverCard #Fintech #PaymentProcessing #MerchantAccounts #BusinessFinance #CreditCardProcessing
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🚨 Visa’s New Chargeback Rules Could Shut You Down – Are You Ready? 🚨
Visa is flipping the script on chargebacks—and if you're an online business owner, this affects you. I'm breaking down the new VAMP (Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program) regulations that are already live in Europe and heading to North America.
From stricter chargeback thresholds (dropping to 0.9% in 2026) to new penalties for merchants who ignore card testing fraud, Visa's changes are tightening the noose on risky behavior. Even if you rely on Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), guess what? Those alerts are now counted against you.
🔍 Learn:
- What VAMP is and why it matters
- Why relying on RDR is no longer safe
- How to calculate your chargeback ratio properly
- Why 3DS may become mandatory—and what that means for your conversions
- The silent risk of losing your payment processor even if you’re under 1%
⚠️ Don’t wait until you're fined or shut down. Get ahead of the changes and safeguard your business. ⚠️
👉 Subscribe for more insights on payment compliance, fraud prevention, and keeping your online business safe.
0:00 Intro
0:32 Previous Chargeback Guidelines
1:08 What’s Changing
6:58 Payment Gateway Fraud Protection
8:08 Even More Changes
10:18 Rules Coming to the US
12:08 The Reason Why
13:22 Lower Your Chargebacks
18:33 Outro
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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Stripe has officially applied for a Money Transmitter (MALPB) license in Georgia. It's a move that will change what we know about Stripe in payment processing...at least in the U.S.
But what does this really mean for your business?
In this episode, I, Maria Sparagis, payment processing expert and founder of Direct Payment, break down the real implications of Stripe becoming its own payment processor.
From bypassing big banks like Wells Fargo and Barclays to potential changes in who Stripe approves (or rejects). These are the questions many aren’t asking: Is this truly good news for online merchants, or just a power and profit play?
🔍 What you'll learn:
- What Stripe’s MALPB license means and why it matters
- Why Stripe isn’t actually a payment processor (yet)
- The truth about Stripe’s approval process
- How this could impact high-risk and online businesses
- What to watch for in Stripe’s terms & conditions going forward
- Why legacy banks might be forced to innovate now
⚠️ Heads-up: this might not be the win for merchants you were hoping for.
📩 Have questions about payment processing or need a backup for Stripe? Reach out to me and my team at Direct Payment. [email protected]
📋 Or apply directly at directpaynet.com/contact-us/
👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on payment processing, tech trends, and business growth strategies.
0:00 Intro
0:36 Isn’t Stripe a Payment Processor?
1:39 You Won’t Benefit from the Charter
6:04 Stripe Changes
7:16 Competition Increases
8:33 Outro
#Stripe #FintechNews #PaymentProcessing #BusinessTips #Ecommerce #StripeLicense #MALPB #MerchantAccount #SmallBusinessTips #MariaAsparagus
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Your mobile checkout page NEEDS to be optimized. Mobile is rocketing past desktop for sales, which means more people are tapping around on your mobile site than ever before. If you've left your mobile checkout page unchecked, you're LOSING MONEY.
In this video, I'm covering 9 ways you can optimize your mobile checkout to secure sales and bump your bottom line.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
1:08 Mobile Checkout Stats
2:10 #1
3:05 #2
3:43 #3
4:28 #4
5:30 Desktop vs Mobile
8:50 5 Optimizations
15:30 Outro
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Stripe Radar is the built-in fraud tool Stripe offers directly through the dashboard. But if you leave this tool unconfigured, you'll either block valid payments or accept fraudulent ones. So here's how you can tweak Stripe Radar to fit your business better and convert more sales, no matter what region you're in.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
1:15 Stripe Radar Flags
4:41 Business Impact
5:53 How It Works
11:46 Configuring Stripe Radar
20:48 Outro
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Monthly subscriptions are a more sustainable choice for businesses. Not only do customers like them more for various reasons like lower price points, but they help lower your risk profile.
Lifetime access sounds appealing—having accessing for an entire lifetime. But that is also the catch. You have to support that product for a lifetime, and if you don't then those customers will win a chargeback suit against you.
If you're still interested in selling lifetime access, I've got a few tips for you in the video.
Watch until the end, and don't forget to like and subscribe if you found value in this content!
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
0:58 Lifetime of Chargebacks
2:43 Lifetime, Yearly, Monthly
4:05 Say NO to Lifetime
8:10 Maximize Conversions
10:22 Outro
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What to do when Square closes your account and you can't accept payments.
Just like with Stripe or PayPal or Shopify Payments, Square is keen on shutting down any account that has the slightest tinge of risk. If this happens to you, immediately open a backup account—but don't stop there. That acount is just for 10% of your transactions and to tide you over while you open a real merchant account.
Don't fall into the Square payments trap. If it's too easy to sign up and too good to be true, then run.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
0:46 Why Square Shut You Down
4:01 Next Steps
7:49 Square Reopens Your Account
9:19 How to Get Your Money from Square
11:37 Outro
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You've been upselling wrong this whole time. Here's how to do it the RIGHT WAY. And for when the upsell doesn't hit or your customer simply can't afford, I've thrown in a few alternatives for you like downselling and affiliate offers.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
0:55 What Is an Upsell?
1:48 How to Upsell
14:22 Downselling
18:59 Outro
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Shopify Payments, the gateway and processor that Shopify uses and AGGRESSIVELY pushes you to use is actually powered by...Stripe! So if you're not able to use Stripe, then you're also not able to use Shopify Payments and vice versa.
But luckily, I have some great alternatives for those of you who still want to use Shopify's platform without Shopify Payments.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
0:33 Shopify v Shopify Payments
1:52 What is Shopify Payments?
2:47 Alternatives
6:06 Why Choose Alternatives?
7:51 When to Use Shopify Payments
8:39 Outro
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Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
Jason Schappert has been an entrepreneur his entire life and is here to share the ins and outs of building wealth as a business owner. One of the greatest pieces of advice he gives is to PAY YOURSELF FIRST. Listen and watch as he dives into how to invest, what to invest in, how to pay yourself, and taking your business to the next level.
Get in touch with Jason:
https://www.facebook.com/MoolaCopilot/
https://www.instagram.com/jasonandmagda/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschappert/
https://x.com/jasonandmagdaYoutube
@JasonandMagda
http://www.moo.la/
Upsell Tactics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7T_MwCENX4&t=606s
Chargeback Mitigation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6IDLmMkoI
0:00 Meet to Jason Schappert
4:56 AI, Crypto, Finance
9:55 Moola
13:04 Best Tip for Building Wealth
22:38 How to Invest as a Business
31:22 Balance Business v Personal Funds
34:51 Crypto Portfolio Percentage
38:11 Real Estate Portfolio Percentage
44:13 Outro
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Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
If your Stripe account has disappeared or you can't access it, here's how to recover.
Stripe Account TERMINATED: https://youtu.be/L6075XCHvOw
0:00 Intro
0:25 Why Your Account Disappeared
1:05 #1 Forgotten Email or Password
2:05 #2 Stripe Account Terminated
3:02 #3 Accidental Deletion
6:19 Following Through
7:55 Securing Your Stripe Account
9:36 Outro
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The best Stripe alternative for your business really depends on what you sell and where you sell. Stripe won't accept a ton of risk, so returns and chargebacks can literally destroy your business. PayPal, Square, and Shopify Payments act the same. While there is a place for any of these payment services, there are also much safer options to keep your store running no matter what happens.
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
0:00 Intro
0:47 Why You Need an Alternative
2:25 Top Stripe Alternatives
5:04 How to Choose an Alternative
12:21 Test Your Setup
15:31 Outro
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Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
Insufficient funds, error code 51 in your payment gateway, doesn't have to the end of that customer's journey. Aside from the obvious, here's what insufficient funds can mean and 4 ways to save the sale and profit from these customers.
0:00 Intro
0:47 Insufficient Fund Declines
1:36 Why Insufficient Funds Happen
3:53 Strategies to Save the Sale
5:30 #1 More Payment Modes
7:02 #2 BNPL
7:51 #3 Installments
9:48 #4 Low-Cost Offer
11:17 Outro
DO NOT HONOR ERROR: https://youtu.be/6gDW8RVhLdA
ISSUING BANK DECLINES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h24Crsa9ng
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A contract will save you from declines, refunds, and chargebacks. Here's what you need to include in yours:
1. Service Timeline
2. What's Included in Your Service
3. Pricing
4. Refund Policy
5. Payment Terms
6. Confidentiality Agreement
7. Cancelation Policy
8. Customer Specifications
9. Jurisdiction
0:00 Intro
0:40 High Ticket Products
1:20 Declined Transactions
4:21 How to Make a Contract
14:24 Outro
Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us
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