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DTC Podcast

DTC Newsletter and Podcastdirecttoconsumer.co
Weekly discussions between disruptive direct to consumer ecommerce brands and our amazing team about marketing, funnels, and everything scaling related. Subscribe to our newsletter for highlights and step by step tactical insights 👉🏻 📦 directtoconsumer.co

Episodes

Ep 414: Ben Kruger, The Rogue Ex-Googler on His Side Hustle Slinging Microphones, and the Cost Cap Gospel

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we have Ben Kruger, a former Google Ads rep who transitioned to running a profitable side hustle selling microphones. Ben shares his journey from Google to becoming a DTC entrepreneur, discussing the key tactics he used to scale his business and maximize profitability. Key Insights: Transition from Google to Meta Ads: Why Ben shifted his ad strategy and the results. Cost Caps Strategy: How Ben ...

Jun 17, 202436 min

Ep 413: Is Your Amazon Ad Account Structure...Shallow? How Over-Automation and a Generic Approach Limits Your Scale on Amazon | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're diving into the world of Amazon ads with Rob and Clifford from Pilothouse. Known for conducting thorough audits and revealing hidden potential in ad campaigns, they bring valuable insights into optimizing Amazon advertising beyond the basics. In this episode, we discuss: Overcoming Automation Pitfalls: Learn why relying solely on automation can limit your campaign's success and ho...

Jun 14, 202423 min

Ep 412: Scaling Sour – Rotten's Michael Fisher on Better-For-You Candy, Go-To Market Strategy (+Grubs, Gizzards and Goo)

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Michael Fisher, founder of Rotten, discusses his journey of creating a better-for-you candy brand that still tastes delicious. He shares his inspiration for starting Rotten, the challenges of getting the product to market, and the importance of meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Fisher also talks about the reformulation of the product and the focus on texture and sourness. He discusses the go-to-market strategy, including a new ...

Jun 10, 202442 min

Ep 411: Crushing the Drop Model on Meta Ads + Q4 Budget Planning Kickoff | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today, we're joined by Taylor, Nate, and Jacob from Pilothouse's Meta Ads team, who delve into the effective use of the Drop Model and early Q4 planning for DTC brands. Mastering Product Drops: Discover how leveraging the Drop Model can create urgency, drive engagement, and boost sales. Q4 Planning Essentials: Learn why starting your Q4 planning early is crucial and how it can help you manage ...

Jun 07, 202421 min

Ep 410: HexClad's Head of Advertising, Cam Bush Talks Omnichannel Strategy for Nine Figure Scale

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Cam Bush, the Head of Advertising at HexClad, the DTC dominant, Gordon Ramsey partnered (Eric's personal favorite pan). HexClad is renowned for its innovative hybrid cookware and impressive growth trajectory, having reached more than $100 million in sales through strategic omnichannel marketing and high-profile partnerships. In this episode, Cam shares his journey...

Jun 03, 202447 min

Ep 409: The Art of AOV – Master Pre-Purchase Upsells with Aves | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we’re diving into the world of upsells with Aves from Pilothouse. We'll explore how you can maximize your revenue by incorporating pre-purchase upsells into your ecommerce strategy. Key Insights: Importance of Upsells: Learn why upsells are crucial for e-commerce success, especially in off-peak seasons. Effective Strategies: Discover the anatomy of a successful single SKU upsell and how to ...

May 31, 202423 min

Bonus: How BrüMate's Hans Harris drives RESILIENT revenue with their app with Sam Barati from Tapcart

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Hans Harris, Growth Director at BrüMate, the nine-figure drinkware and cooler brand, as well as Sam Barati, VP of Customer Success at Tapcart. https://tapcart.com We'll be diving into the strategy behind BrüMate's wildly successful mobile app, which leads all sales and distribution channels in conversion, AOV, and customer LTV. Key Insights: Boosting Customer Retention: ...

May 29, 202432 min

Ep 408: Boost Your Sales with Strategic Giveaways - Insights from Van Oakes

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we welcome Van Oakes, Founder of Goat Media, who has perfected the art of running successful giveaways. Van has not only helped scale Diesel Power Gear through countless, high value, strategic giveaways but also assists other brands in boosting their sales and reducing customer acquisition costs through his agency. Key Insights: Strategic Giveaways: Learn how to leverage giveaways, including high-value ...

May 27, 202430 min

Ep 407: YouTube Ads Full Funnel Breakdown with Kari from Pilothouse | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today we're jamming with Kari from Pilothouse Google team, breaking down the full funnel she's built on YouTube ads for DTC Podcast alum, Anyday Cookware. You'll learn what kind of content works best at every stage of your funnel, as well as how to measure the true top of funnel effect your YouTube Ads have. You'll hear: Going All In On YouTube: Why Anyday now spends more on YouTube than Search. Organic foundation, campaig...

May 24, 202426 min

Bonus: Glamnetic's Kevin Gould Gets Proactive About Customer Experience with Gorgias' Co-Founder, Romain Lapeyre

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast! In this episode, Kevin Gould from Glamnetic and Romain Lapeyre from Gorgias dive into the challenges and solutions of managing explosive growth in e-commerce. Glamnetic's remarkable leap to $50 million in just one year brought immense customer support demands. Discover how leveraging Gorgias’s AI-powered tools enabled them to transform their customer support into a seamless and proactive customer experience...

May 22, 202431 min

Ep 406: Studs.com Anna Harman Owns the Earscape, Scaling to 8 Figures Annually with Experiential Retail (and Word of ... Ear Marketing)

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup On this week's DTC Podcast, Anna Harman, co-founder of Studs, discusses the inspiration behind starting the company and the need for an alternative to traditional piercing options. She explains the superiority of needle piercing and the challenges of opening the first studio. Anna also highlights the importance of branding and creating a unique retail experience. She shares how Studs pivoted to e-commerce during the pandemic and the r...

May 20, 202433 min

Ep 405: Navigating Email Landmines + Bot Click Clarification | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this conversation, Eric and JoGo, Retention Director at Pilothouse.co discuss the issue of bot clicks in email campaigns and how to avoid them. They talk about Klaviyo's bot click exclusion feature and its limitations. They also discuss the concept of 'landmines' in email marketing and how to handle them. They provide tips on improving deliverability and engagement, such as removing bounced email addresses and focusing on a...

May 17, 202423 min

Ep 404: The Marketing Millennials on Cracking the DTC Success Formula in 2024

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today's DTC Podcast features Daniel and Ari Murray, the husband and wife team behind The LinkedIn sensation The Marketing Millennials. Ari is Chief Growth Officer at Sharma brands so she's helped driven successful marketing for some of the world's fastest growing brands. This podcast is an overview of the biggest common success factors that brands who are still crushing in 2024 share in common. Listen and you'll hear: In-d...

May 13, 202451 min

Ep 403: Early Indicators of Amazon Success (Prime Day Prep + AMZ Q2 Earnings) | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Join Eric, Rob and Clifford from Pilothouse Amazon to discuss Amazon Prime Day and Amazon's Q2 earnings call. They provide insights and strategies for sellers to prepare for Prime Day, including optimizing listings, driving sales volume, and leveraging influencers and affiliates. They also analyze the Q2 earnings call, highlighting Amazon's focus on profitability and the impact on third-party sellers. The conversation concludes wi...

May 10, 202422 min

Bonus: Increase Your Margins with Effective Inventory Management with Finale Inventory's Pauline Shiu

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today, we’re thrilled to have Pauline Shiu from Finale Inventory with us to explore the transformative power of effective inventory management in the e-commerce space. We'll uncover how Finale Inventory aids businesses in avoiding common pitfalls like overselling or stockouts, how to compete at a higher level by scaling up your supply chain and operations, and we discuss the strategic role of inve...

May 08, 202429 min

Ep 402: Breanna Moreno – True Classic - Turn Customer Support Into A Profit Center

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - ⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup Today we're talking customer support, with a brand leader who's supported A LOT of customers, potentially the most customers of any DTC apparel brand in the last five years...TRUE CLASSIC, the T-shirt giant who last year reported a quarter of a billion dollars in their first four years.. Today Breanna Moreno, Customer Support Maverick and VP of CX at True Classic gives us the breakdown of the system she's built to support the...

May 06, 202442 min

Ep 401: Common Google Ads Mistakes – PMax Errors & Overspending on Branded Search | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - ⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup⁠ Dive deep into Google Ads with Rafael from Pilothouse in this insightful episode. Rafael's team handles close to 100 account audits a year, and today he's sharing expert strategies on optimizing ad spend, the nuances of Performance Max vs. traditional shopping ads, and the critical importance of split testing. Whether you're scaling up or fine-tuning your campaigns, this episode offers actionable insights to enhance efficien...

May 03, 202429 min

Bonus: Beyond Awareness, How BYLT Basics Buys TV Ads for Profitability, Brand Building and Incremental Growth with BYLT's Spencer Toomey and Tatari's Greg Kalin

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Join us on the DTC Podcast as we delve into how BYLT Basics and Tatari are redefining the role of TV advertising in the digital age. Spencer Toomey from BYLT and Greg Kalin from Tatari unpack how TV ads are not just about broadening awareness but are crucial tools for profitability and growth. Discover the strategic insights and analytics that make TV a powerful part of BYLT Basics' marketing arsenal. Work with Tatari: https://www.tat...

May 01, 202441 min

Ep 400: The DadGang.co Story – From a boosted post, to 100k hats sold -- Bart Szaniewski Speaks!

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're diving into the unique journey of Dad Gang, an apparel brand that’s revolutionizing fatherhood fashion with high-quality hats. Join us as we explore how Bart, a seasoned DTC marketer, shifted from traditional roles to building a community-first brand. Join the gang! https://Dadgang.co Why Tune In? Community Building: Learn how Dad Gang leverages social media to foster a community of d...

Apr 29, 202449 min

Ep 399: Mastering Meta Shops & Ad Instability – Expert Insights on Digital Advertising Trends | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today we catch up with Taylor and Jacob from Pilothouse's Meta Ads team to talk Q1 performance and and how we're mitigating platform and algorithm insecurity. Work with Pilothouse: https://pilothouse.co Performance Update + shifting factors with Meta AI The shift to Meta Shops, the pros and cons Ad inventory factors: Temu, US Election, Summer Olympics TikTok Ban approved...what's next? Timestamps [00:00] Introduction to Meta S...

Apr 26, 202421 min

Bonus: The Pyramid Model of Influencer Marketing - SARAL's Yash Chavan

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today's talk is all about the best strategies for product seeding and influencer marketing with Yash Chavan, founder of SARAL, the influencer marketing that makes it easy to get your product into the hands of nano-influencers who focus on authentic content. DTC Listeners get an extended two week free trial ➝ https://www.getsaral.com/champions/dtc-newsletter Yash shares his philosophy of influencer marketing in 2024, which involves bui...

Apr 24, 202439 min

Ep 398: Matt Bertulli from Pela Case and the Operator's Podcast – Earth Day Extravaganza on Sustainable Consumer Goods and the Importance of Material Innovation

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Matt Bertulli, the founder of Pela Case, Lomi, and the Operators' Podcast shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into building successful direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. He discusses the challenges of advertising on Facebook, the importance of addressing greenwashing accusations, and the need for rational debate around waste reduction. Matt also provides advice for starting a DTC brand and highlights the value of TV advertis...

Apr 22, 202444 min

Ep 397: Audience Targeting 101 – Avoid Delusion and Use Data To Understand Your Authentic Audience | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this conversation, Eric and Avery discuss the importance of understanding your audience and tailoring your marketing efforts to reach them effectively. They emphasize the need to avoid delusions about who your audience is and instead focus on the data and research to determine their true preferences and behaviors. Avery shares examples of brands that had misconceptions about their audience and how they adjusted their strategies based o...

Apr 19, 202427 min

Bonus: Want more incremental revenue? Send more SMS! Postscript's Mike Manheimer shows us the way.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Mike Manheimer from Postscript with us. https://postscript.io/ https://postscript.io/sales https://postscript.io/cashback https://postscript.io/onsite Mike brings years of expertise in the SaaS game, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in SMS marketing within ecommerce. Today, we’ll explore why SMS might be your most powerful marketing tool yet, and why it...

Apr 17, 202451 min

Ep 396: Unlocking Growth with Kizik – Expert Insights on Marketing, Branding & Product Design

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and Welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're diving into the innovative world of Kizik with Brett Swenson, a key player in the brand's meteoric rise. Discover how Kizik is revolutionizing the footwear industry by blending cutting-edge technology with fashion-forward designs. Key Insights: The Genesis of Kizik: Learn about the brand's journey from concept to scaling in the competitive DTC space. Strategic Evolution: How K...

Apr 15, 202437 min

Ep 395: Are you using Placement Modifiers on Amazon Ads? (you should be!) + Navigating the new Amazon Fee-Scape | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast, where we dive deep into Amazon's evolving landscape with Rob and Clifford from Pilothouse. Today's episode uncovers critical updates that every Amazon seller needs to know: new fees, the power of placement modifiers in advertising, and the groundbreaking Amazon Cosmos. Work with Pilothouse! https://pilothouse.co Key Insights: Understanding Amazon's New Fees: Learn how strategic management can turn n...

Apr 12, 202427 min

Bonus: The Creative Strategy System to Find More Winning Ads – Motion's Evan Lee and his Blueprint for Creative Success

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this Bonus DTC Podcast episode, Evan Lee, a creative strategy expert from Motion , outlinjes his approach to systemizing creative strategy, to reliably improve the performance of your ads. For the Full Presention: Watch on YouTube Motion is the platform that ties together data and creativity to help you find more winning ads you can scale! He emphasizes the need for a systematic process to find more winners and drive brands forward. Th...

Apr 10, 202431 min

Ep 394: Cultivating Growth (and a $7.3M Year with No Ads) – Inside Epic Gardening's Strategic Leap from Content to Commerce

To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast, where today's episode features Kevin Espiritu, the visionary behind Epic Gardening. Kevin shares his phenomenal journey from nurturing a blog and a YouTube channel with 100,000 followers to cultivating a digital empire and a thriving DTC brand with over 2 million subscribers and a staggering $7.3 million in annual revenue—without spending a dime on paid advertising. What You'll Uncover in This Episod...

Apr 08, 202433 min

Ep 393: Staying Inbox-Relevant: JoGo's Tactics for Gmail's Authentication Update | AKNF

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - ⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to today's episode of the DTC Podcast, where we dive deep with Jordan from JoGo into the stormy seas of Gmail's latest email authentication requirements. As we dissect the intricacies of DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records, Jordan provides actionable insights on steering clear of the spam folder and maintaining stellar deliverability rates. In this episode, we cover: Adapting to Gmail's New Rules: Understand the need for a s...

Apr 05, 202435 min

Bonus: Miss A's Jean Baik – Leveraging Postscript SMS and Retail Synergy for Explosive Growth

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast. This week's BONUS episode is made possible by Postscript SMS. Start your own SMS Synergies. Learn More Today, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Miss A, a Dallas-based beauty and lifestyle brand known for its unbeatable prices and quality. Founded by Jean and her husband in 2013, Miss A has transformed from an ambitious e-commerce startup to a booming retail and online presence. Join us as Jean...

Apr 03, 202434 min