Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

The Ecommerce Playbook
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Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever. For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain. So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality? No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone. That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses. Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.

  1. Are Political Ads Killing Sales?: State of the Industry

    2 DAYS AGO

    Are Political Ads Killing Sales?: State of the Industry

    In this month's State of the Industry, we tackle some of the biggest questions facing ecommerce brands in 2024. Why are 7-figure stores seeing a slowdown in growth? How are political ad spending and shifting consumer behaviors affecting your bottom line? And most importantly, what can you do about it heading into the critical Q4 period? Join our panel of experts as we break down the data behind the Direct-to-Consumer Confidence Index (DTCCI) and explore theories on why revenue growth is stalling. We’ll discuss the impact of the upcoming election, the growing trend of value driven consumers waiting for bigger discounts, and how large ecommerce brands are adjusting their strategies in a tighter, more competitive market. Plus, we’ll dig into what this means for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and your holiday sales. If you’re navigating the complexities of ecommerce right now, this episode is packed with insights to help you adjust your strategy and drive profitability. Don’t miss these critical discussions on the future of DTC brands! Show Notes: Go to https://your.omnisend.com/CTC to 20% off your first 3 months with code CTC20. The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    27 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    5 Must Do Ecommerce Strategies to CRUSH Black Friday Sales

    Want to dominate this Black Friday and Cyber Monday? In this episode Richard and Luke reveal the top 5 essential strategies that will supercharge your sales and help you maximize profits during the busiest shopping season of the year! From crafting irresistible offers to optimizing your media spend, we’re giving you a proven game plan to stand out from the competition and make sure your business ends the year with a bang. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, these tips are critical to your success. Here's what we cover: How to create a killer Black Friday offer that customers can't resist The secret to increasing your ad spend without hurting profitability Why focusing on Meta (Facebook & Instagram) ads is crucial in Q4 How to optimize your creative for high-conversion placements like Reels The power of email marketing – and why you need to send more emails than ever Don't miss these must-do strategies – your Black Friday success depends on it! Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    27 min

  3. OCT 17

    Taylor's Biggest Critique of Cost Controls

    In this episode, Taylor shares his biggest critique of cost controls in digital advertising. Join Richard and Taylor as they explore the limitations of cost controls, including the challenges of relying on human logic and consistency in a constantly evolving ad landscape. They dive into the role of AI in ad management, the struggle to trust automation, and the emotional hurdles that often lead to poor decision-making. Taylor also shares insights on how to optimize campaigns for long term success by balancing human creativity with machine driven precision. This episode is a must watch for anyone interested in digital marketing strategy, campaign optimization, and the future of AI in ecommerce! Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    27 min

  4. OCT 15

    Holiday SEO Tips for 2024: Maximize Organic Traffic and Revenue

    Get ready for the holiday season with expert SEO insights designed to help you maximize organic traffic and boost revenue! In this episode Richard sits down with Travis Bichelle, CTC’s Director of SEO, to break down essential SEO strategies tailored for Q4 and holiday promotions in 2024. From understanding organic search declines to building robust metadata, schema markup, and leveraging Google Merchant Center, we dive into actionable steps to ensure your ecommerce site captures holiday shoppers and increases conversions. Plus, we share a sprint checklist to optimize your site’s performance before Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond! Key Takeaways: Holiday SEO tactics to increase organic traffic How to use metadata and schema markup effectively Leveraging Google Merchant Center for visual search results Preparing for Q5 with clearance strategies and 301 redirects Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    30 min

  5. OCT 10

    Truths We Learned from 67+ Eight Figure Brands That Actually Produced Profit in 2024

    In 2024, working with over 67 eight-figure ecommerce brands gave us an insider view of what it really takes to produce sustainable profit in today’s competitive landscape. These brands not only achieved significant revenue but also balanced it with strategies that drove genuine profitability—no easy feat in the current market climate. In this in-depth video, we’re sharing the hard truths, pivotal insights, and key takeaways we learned from these standout brands. From high-level strategic decisions to the day-to-day tactics that drive success, we’ll cover it all, including: Adapting to Industry Shifts: How these brands pivoted their approach to stay ahead amidst fluctuating market demands, economic pressures, and digital advertising changes. The Power of a Solid Profit System: Why the most profitable brands don’t just rely on individual marketing tactics—they implement robust systems designed to consistently generate positive ROI. Media Buying That Delivers: Insights on effective ad spend allocation and platform strategies, and how these brands optimize performance across Google, Meta, TikTok, and beyond. Creative That Drives Conversion: Discover the importance of creative volume and how brands efficiently produce ad content that resonates with today’s audience. Customer Retention and Reactivation: Strategies these brands use to engage loyal customers and re-engage lapsed buyers, maximizing revenue beyond the first sale. Efficient Operations for Profit-Driven Growth: How a lean and intentional approach to operations and costs can make the difference in achieving real profit. If you're a brand founder, marketer, or ecommerce leader looking to build a profitable business, this video is packed with invaluable insights directly from the front lines of profitable ecommerce. Learn the tactics and mindset shifts that are helping the industry’s top players win in 2024—and discover how you can apply them to your own business. Hit play to dive into these powerful strategies, and don’t forget to subscribe for more industry insights, success stories, and actionable tips for profitable growth in ecommerce. Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    1h 11m

  6. OCT 8

    Transforming Company Culture: From Employee-Centric to Standards-Centric

    In this episode, we look at the cultural transformation that took place at Common Thread Collective, shifting from an employee-centric approach to a standards-centric model. Join us as Taylor and Dane Sanders, CTC's VP of Employee Development and Performance, discuss how rethinking company culture can drive profitability, enhance team performance, and reduce turnover. Learn how CTC balanced high standards, accountability, and employee engagement to create a thriving workplace where people are empowered to perform at their best. Whether you’re a leader looking to boost your company’s culture or an employee interested in understanding what makes high-performing teams tick, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps for building a resilient and results-driven culture. Tune in to discover: The key differences between employee-centric and standards-centric approaches Why aligning company culture with customer value improves satisfaction and profitability Practical strategies CTC used to operationalize culture shifts and set employees up for success Don't miss this powerful conversation on transforming company culture for sustainable growth! Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    56 min

  7. OCT 3

    Boost Your Holiday Sales with These Email and SMS Strategies

    Looking to boost your holiday sales? In this episode, Richard and Tommy Lamb, Director of Email and SMS at Common Thread Collective, break down the key email and SMS strategies you need for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. Key Takeaways: Data Integrity: Clean up your email data for more effective campaigns. Audience Segmentation: Learn how to personalize your messages using advanced tools like Klaviyo. Shortening Email Flows: Discover why shortening cart abandonment windows is essential during the holiday rush. New Platform Features: Leverage AI-driven features to automate and optimize your campaigns. Cross-Channel Strategy: Use insights from email to improve your paid ad performance. Testing & Tactics: Smart testing to improve engagement and conversions during Q4. Whether you're running a small business or a large ecommerce store, these expert tips will help you maximize sales during the busiest time of the year! Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    35 min

  8. OCT 1

    The Addiction to Growth: Why Entrepreneurs Avoid Paying Themselves

    In this episode Richard and Taylor, dive deep into the often overlooked challenge of business goal setting and shareholder value. Why do so many entrepreneurs fail to pay themselves, even when their businesses are thriving? Taylor shares his insights on the cultural norms, financial misconceptions, and psychological traps that keep business owners stuck in a cycle of reinvestment, constantly betting it all on growth. Learn why many business leaders unknowingly give away their profits to external parties like advertisers and suppliers, and why it’s crucial to shift your mindset from scaling at all costs to actually realizing financial value. If you're an entrepreneur struggling with how to take money out of your business or wondering why your efforts aren't leading to personal wealth, this episode is for you.  Key Takeaways: The difference between making money and winning in business Why entrepreneurs are addicted to reinvesting every profit How to set financial goals that prioritize shareholder (and personal) value The surprising reasons business owners don’t take distributions Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

    35 min
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4.9
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About

2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever. For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain. So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality? No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone. That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses. Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.

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