DTC Podcast

DTC Newsletter and Podcast
  • 4.5 (32)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED DAILY
DTC Podcast

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

  1. Ep 484: How to Track Lifecycle Metrics, Not Just Revenue with Jordan Gordon from Pilothouse and The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast

    1 DAY AGO

    Ep 484: How to Track Lifecycle Metrics, Not Just Revenue with Jordan Gordon from Pilothouse and The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today, we’re doing something a little different. We’re featuring an episode from The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast (TWBERP)—a must-listen for anyone looking to maximize revenue from the customers they’ve already acquired. Subscribe to TWBERP Here: https://open.spotify.com/show/30OswCnXzinWp0zBP1kenR?si=gFxF-OOsQY2FNh0Tc_1Q0A TWBERP is where Jordan Gordon and the Pilothouse email and retention team break down the strategies that keep customers engaged and spending, without relying on constant acquisition. In this episode, Jordan dives into a concept that big brands obsess over but most DTC brands ignore—tracking your lifecycle metrics, not just your revenue. He breaks down: 🔹 The 3 key lifecycle stages—Promotional, Customer, and Category—and why tracking them gives you a clearer picture of your business health. 🔹 How to spot margin erosion in your discounting strategy before it tanks your profits. 🔹 Why a growing revenue line can actually be a red flag—and what to look for instead. If you’re serious about scaling your brand sustainably, this one’s a must-listen. Hit play and don’t forget to subscribe to TWBERP! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Lifecycle Metrics 02:00 Why Tracking Revenue Alone Is Not Enough 04:30 Three Key Lifecycle Metrics to Monitor 07:15 The Impact of Discount Strategies on Profit Margins 10:45 Building a Loyal Customer Base vs. Constant Acquisition 14:30 How to Measure Customer Retention Effectively 18:15 The Role of Product Categories in Lifecycle Marketing 22:00 Closing Thoughts & Email Growth Strategies Hashtags: #EmailMarketing #CustomerRetention #LifecycleMetrics #EcommerceGrowth #DigitalMarketing #DTC #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #EmailOptimization #RetentionMarketing Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    24 min
  2. EP 483: Velocity Wins: How Curtis Matsko Scaled Portland Leather Goods to 9 Figures by Moving Faster Than Everyone Else

    5 DAYS AGO

    EP 483: Velocity Wins: How Curtis Matsko Scaled Portland Leather Goods to 9 Figures by Moving Faster Than Everyone Else

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup 📢 What does it really take to scale a 9-figure DTC brand? Relentless speed, constant reinvention, and never playing defense. In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Curtis Matsko, founder and CEO of Portland Leather Goods, to break down how he built one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer brands by outpacing the competition at every turn. Curtis doesn't hesitate—he makes decisions fast, learns fast, and scales fast. While most brands overanalyze, he moves forward, makes adjustments in real time, and never stops evolving.✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why "velocity wins"—and how moving fast (not perfection) is the key to DTC successThe 3-6-9 hiring framework Curtis uses to keep his team leveling up every yearWhy 92% of Portland Leather Goods’ ad spend goes to Meta & Google (and why TikTok isn’t even on his radar)How vertical integration in Mexico became their ultimate growth hack—ensuring inventory never kills scalingThe truth about luxury brands: Why most "leather" bags aren’t real leather—and why that’s Portland Leather Goods’ biggest advantageHow to know when it's time to reinvent your brand—so you don’t end up like the five competitors that went bankruptThis episode is a must-listen for any brand owner looking to scale fast, break through growth ceilings, and build a brand that actually lasts. 🎧00:00 – Curtis Matsko on embracing change in business 02:30 – The origin story of Portland Leather Goods 06:00 – The importance of real leather and craftsmanship 10:15 – Scaling a brand through rapid decision-making 15:40 – The power of customer experience and brand trust 20:20 – How vertical integration fuels growth 25:10 – Hiring, leadership, and internal team development 30:50 – The role of Meta and Google in scaling DTC brands 35:45 – Why customer retention is key in DTC success 40:30 – The future of Portland Leather and business expansion #DTC #Ecommerce #LeatherGoods #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MetaAds #GoogleAds #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #ScalingBusiness #FounderStory #DirectToConsumer #BrandBuilding #RetailSuccess #Shopify Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup⁠ Advertise on DTC -⁠https://dtcnews.link/advertise⁠ Work with Pilothouse -⁠https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse⁠ Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube -⁠https://dtcnews.link/video

    50 min
  3. Ep 482: How to Optimize Amazon Merchandising for Maximum Sales | AKNF

    FEB 14

    Ep 482: How to Optimize Amazon Merchandising for Maximum Sales | AKNF

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Amazon is a crucial sales channel, but most brands fail to merchandise their products effectively. In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Rob & Clifford from Pilot House’s Amazon team break down the key strategies to optimize Amazon listings for better visibility, conversion, and profitability. 🚀 What You’ll Learn: Why variation strategy is critical for increasing visibility and conversions. How to align your Amazon merchandising strategy with your broader brand goals. The importance of shopping your own listings to eliminate friction in the buying process. How to optimize for different levels of buying intent—commodity, fashion, and consultative purchases. Why brands should not rely on Amazon Vendor Central for their merchandising. Amazon is not a passive sales channel. If you're not actively optimizing your merchandising strategy, you're leaving revenue on the table. Tune in to get the insights you need to level up your brand’s presence on the platform. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Amazon Merchandising 02:10 Understanding Amazon’s Unique Shopping Experience 04:50 Strategic Brand Positioning on Amazon 07:30 The Role of Variations in Merchandising 10:15 Traffic Intent and Brand Store Strategy 12:40 On-Brand Aesthetics for Amazon Listings 15:20 Lessons from Dr. Squatch and Manscaped 18:00 Improving the Customer Buying Experience 21:30 Tariffs and Their Impact on Amazon Sellers 24:50 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts Hashtags #AmazonSelling #EcommerceTips #AmazonFBA #DTC #EcommerceMarketing #AmazonStrategy #DigitalMarketing #OnlineSelling #RetailTrends #AmazonMerchandising Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    26 min
  4. Ep 481: Scaling Brand Awareness: BYLT’s Playbook for Upper Funnel Marketing (ft Mike Tyson!)

    FEB 10

    Ep 481: Scaling Brand Awareness: BYLT’s Playbook for Upper Funnel Marketing (ft Mike Tyson!)

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signup 🚀 How do you build a brand that consumers remember before they even see an ad? BYLT Basics is mastering the art of upper funnel marketing. In this episode, Spencer Toomey, BYLT’s growth lead, breaks down how major sponsorships—like their Mike Tyson partnership during his Netflix fight—drove massive Q4 success. 📌 Key takeaways: 📺 TV + Sponsorships = Performance Lift – How upper funnel plays fuel bottom-funnel conversions. 🔍 How BYLT Measures Brand Awareness – Google Trends, post-purchase surveys, and real-time site traffic spikes. 🎯 The New Media Mix – Why brands need to rethink their reliance on Meta and experiment with new channels like Tatari, AppLovin, and YouTube. 💡 Creative Flywheel Strategy – How BYLT is optimizing their ad volume and storytelling to drive impact. This episode is packed with tactical insights for marketers who want to scale without relying solely on Meta ads. Timestamps: 00:00 - Diversifying ad spend beyond Meta 02:10 - The impact of Mike Tyson's sponsorship on BILT 04:50 - Upper funnel strategies and TV advertising bets 07:20 - Leveraging AppLovin for new customer acquisition 10:05 - Creative flywheel: Scaling ad production efficiently 12:45 - Using post-purchase surveys for attribution insights 15:30 - The role of influencers and brand ambassadors 18:20 - Late-night ad launch strategy explained 21:00 - Essential marketing tools: Motion & NoCommerce 23:40 - Future experiments with PMAX, YouTube, and AppLovin Hashtags: #DTCMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #MetaAds #BrandAwareness #CreativeStrategy #AdvertisingTips #GrowthMarketing #YouTubeAds #InfluencerMarketing #MarketingTech #AdOptimization #BusinessGrowth #MarketingPodcast #DTCBrands Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC -https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse -https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube -https://dtcnews.link/video

    36 min
  5. Ep 480: How Meta’s New Ad Rules Impact Health & Wellness Brands with Pilothouse | AKNF

    FEB 7

    Ep 480: How Meta’s New Ad Rules Impact Health & Wellness Brands with Pilothouse | AKNF

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Meta’s latest advertising update is shaking up the health & wellness space, restricting event tracking for many brands. This means brands selling supplements, wellness products, or other health-related items may no longer see key conversion events like purchases and add-to-cart in their Meta ad accounts. In this episode, Eric Dyck chats with Pilothouse Meta experts Taylor Cain, Jocelyn, and Aves to break down what’s happening, what brands should do, and how to stay compliant while still driving results. Key Topics Covered: ✅ What’s Changing? Meta’s new event tracking restrictions explained ✅ Who’s Affected? How Meta is categorizing health & wellness brands ✅ Workarounds That Work: Using upper-funnel event tracking to maintain ad performance ✅ Creative & Messaging Shifts: Why brands need to sell a lifestyle, not just a product ✅ Long-Term Impact: Will Meta roll out similar restrictions to other industries? Meta is prioritizing user privacy, and these changes are likely just the beginning. If your brand is affected, tune in to get the insights you need to adapt your strategy. Timestamps: 00:00 - Meta’s new health and wellness ad restrictions 02:15 - What this means for advertisers 05:00 - Meta’s event tracking changes explained 08:30 - Preparing for the new ad policies 11:00 - How brands can pivot their messaging 14:45 - The impact on creative and targeting 18:20 - Future of health and wellness ads on Meta 21:30 - Attribution updates and performance tracking Hashtags: #MetaAds #DigitalMarketing #AdvertisingChanges #HealthAndWellness #DTCMarketing #MarketingNews #PaidSocial #SocialMediaAds #FacebookAds #InstagramAds Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    31 min
  6. Bonus: Rethinking Profitability: How to Market Like an Investment Banker with Bradley Keefer from Keen

    FEB 5

    Bonus: Rethinking Profitability: How to Market Like an Investment Banker with Bradley Keefer from Keen

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we’re joined by Bradley Keefer, CRO of Keen Decision Systems, to discuss how brands can elevate their marketing game by thinking like investment bankers. Bradley dives deep into why ROAS alone doesn’t cut it anymore and explains how brands can use holistic data to align short-term performance with long-term profitability. Download the 2024 Performance Insights & Strategic Investment Guide for 2025: https://bit.ly/3Wv8oun Key Insights from This Episode: Rethink ROAS: Why traditional metrics fail to account for long-term value. Funnel Balancing: Moving from a 50-50 mix to an optimal 70-30 top-to-bottom strategy. Interaction Effects: How channels like connected TV and organic social can amplify each other. Avoiding Pitfalls: Why “shiny object” channels like TikTok Shop or TikTok ads need careful consideration. Tune in to learn how Keen Decision Systems is helping brands create marketing strategies that deliver predictable, profitable growth. Timestamps: 00:00 - Why Marketers Must Justify Their Existence 02:10 - The Investment Banker Mindset for Marketing 04:45 - Rethinking ROAS and Measuring Profitability 07:55 - How Brands Should Balance Top vs. Bottom Funnel Spend 11:20 - The Power of Interaction Effects in Marketing 14:30 - Scaling Up with Tentpole Events and Viral Moments 18:15 - When and How to Move Up the Funnel 22:40 - TikTok vs. Meta: The Future of Social Commerce 26:10 - The Role of AI and Data in Marketing Decisions Hashtags: #MarketingStrategy #DTCGrowth #DigitalAdvertising #Ecommerce #MarketingData #BrandBuilding #ROAS #SocialCommerce #TikTokMarketing #PaidMedia #InvestmentMindset #MarketingMetrics Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    47 min
  7. Ep 479: How to Build a Brand That Outlasts Performance Marketing Tactics with Preston Rutherford

    FEB 3

    Ep 479: How to Build a Brand That Outlasts Performance Marketing Tactics with Preston Rutherford

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Chubbies became a DTC legend by selling proper-length shorts and a brand identity people loved. But behind the scenes, Preston Rutherford and his team had to fight against the short-term addiction of Meta ads that almost ran the company into the ground. In this episode, Preston shares: 🔥 The dark side of performance marketing & how it killed their margins 🎯 Why brands need to invest in “memory structures” to drive future demand 📈 How shifting budget up-funnel can actually make you more money 💡 How to measure brand impact beyond ROAS with Marathon If you’re running a DTC brand and struggling with rising CAC and shrinking margins, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to escape the performance marketing hamster wheel and build a business that lasts. Timestamps 00:00 - The rise of Chubbies and bold marketing 02:45 - The impact of Meta ads and performance marketing 07:30 - Balancing brand awareness and short-term metrics 12:15 - The power of memory structures in brand building 17:50 - Why investing in brand is key to long-term success 23:30 - Measuring brand impact beyond ROAS 28:15 - How Marathon helps brands build sustainable growth 34:00 - The future of brand marketing and performance Hashtags #DTC #EcommerceMarketing #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #PerformanceMarketing #MetaAds #DigitalMarketing #CustomerAcquisition #BrandAwareness #ROAS #GrowthStrategy #ContentMarketing #Marathon #PrestonRutherford #CMO #Chubbies #DirectToConsumer #MarketingTips Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    51 min
  8. Ep 478: How AI is Transforming Creative Strategy: CRO, Ads & Brand Storytelling | AKNF

    JAN 31

    Ep 478: How AI is Transforming Creative Strategy: CRO, Ads & Brand Storytelling | AKNF

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup AI is changing the way brands approach creative marketing. In this episode, Braydon from Pilothouse dives into how AI tools—especially custom GPTs—are transforming landing pages, ad creative, and brand storytelling. Key Takeaways: AI-Driven CRO: How custom GPTs optimize landing pages section by section for higher conversion rates. AI for Subscription Growth: Why AI-powered page redesigns can dramatically improve MRR. Automating Ad Mashups: Using AI to remix top-performing ads for faster creative iteration. Voice AI in Ads: How 11 Labs speeds up ad production with high-quality voiceovers. Strategic AI Thinking: How AI can assist with brand-level strategy and audience segmentation. If you’re looking for real-world AI applications in DTC marketing, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Timestamps: 00:00 - AI tools are evolving fast 02:05 - How ChatGPT enhances ad creative 04:30 - Optimizing landing pages with AI 07:15 - Using AI for voiceovers and trailers 10:45 - The power of humor in ads 14:00 - AI-generated mashups for top-performing ads 17:20 - AI for brand-level strategy and deep analysis 20:40 - AI agents and the future of automation Hashtags: #AIforMarketing #ChatGPT #DTCMarketing #AdCreative #EcommerceGrowth #AIcopywriting #PerformanceMarketing #CreativeStrategy #DigitalMarketing #Automation #MarketingTrends Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

    33 min
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4.5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    DTC Newsletter and Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    573
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 352487
  • Show Website
    DTC Podcast

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