DTC Podcast

DTC Newsletter and Podcast
  • 4.5 (36)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED DAILY

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 541: Mastering the First Second: How Chris Erthel Hooks Attention in Meta Ads

    1D AGO

    Ep 541: Mastering the First Second: How Chris Erthel Hooks Attention in Meta Ads

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup If you’re still sending Meta traffic to a single product page—you’re leaving revenue on the table. In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric reconnects with global growth strategist Chris Erthel, whose playbook for Meta ads, landing page optimization, and strategic A/B testing has helped eCommerce brands scale from $30M to $100M+ and exit at nine-figure valuations. Chris shares real-world insights from helping 142+ DTC brands and breaks down exactly why collection pages consistently outperform product pages, how to use humor and pattern interruption in the first second of your ad, and why the right discount depth can actually save you money. We also get into: ✅ The one change that boosted ROAS and AOV by 20% ✅ Why 40% discounts outperform 30% (and reduce ad costs) ✅ The 5 ad hook formats that stop scrolls without looking like ads ✅ How to pre-seed comments for maximum social proof ✅ A roadmap to expand your DTC brand into the Nordics and Poland ✅ The real cost of SaaS bloat—and why tools like Omnisend and WeeVee are better bets ✅ A 30-second breathwork tool to calm your nervous system before big decisions Whether you're running media, building funnels, or growing a global brand, this episode is a tactical masterclass on eCommerce growth, international expansion, and creative excellence. Timestamps: 00:00 Cold open and common ecom mistakes 00:02 Chris’s origin story and early wins 00:07 Creative focus and the “send to collections” landing page test 00:12 First-second hooks that work now 00:18 Comment strategy that boosts ROAS 00:23 Building a testing culture across the funnel 00:25 Creator partnerships driving outsized revenue 00:27 Scaling to exit and stronger offers for BFCM 00:34 Smart international expansion playbook 00:38 AI creative toolchain in one canvas 00:41 Email ROI and tool cost comparisons 00:46 Big goals, happiness, and breathwork 00:53 20 connected breaths demo 00:57 Final advice for founders Hashtags: #DTC #Ecommerce #MetaAds #FacebookAds #CreativeStrategy #ABTesting #UGC #BlackFriday #InternationalExpansion #EmailMarketing #Omnisend #Klaviyo #AIinMarketing #RetentionMarketing #LandingPages #CreatorEconomy #ROAS #Podcast 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

    1 hr
  2. Ep 540: Using Halloween as Q4 Prep: Pilothouse’s Aves on Creative Seasonal Ads

    4D AGO

    Ep 540: Using Halloween as Q4 Prep: Pilothouse’s Aves on Creative Seasonal Ads

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of All Killer No Filler, host Eric Dyck brings on Aves from Pilothouse and Ad‑Venturous to unpack how Halloween creatively primes brands for Q4 success. Key insights you'll get: How subtle seasonal signals—like leaves, emojis, earthy color palettes—increase ad engagement across categoriesWhy Halloween campaigns serve as strategic rehearsal for holiday launches and promo roadmappingWhen to dial back on heavy weekend sales in favor of lead‑in drops ahead of Q4The difference between taste and discernment when using AI in creative strategy Timestamps 00:00 – Halloween shopping trends and early product drops 02:10 – Boo baskets, nostalgia, and making products feel seasonal 04:20 – Using colors, emojis, and small tweaks to boost click-through rates 07:05 – Leveraging Halloween promos to prep for Q4 campaigns 10:30 – Pricing strategies and early Black Friday deal positioning 13:20 – Using AI in creative strategy and maintaining critical thinking skills 15:40 – Taste vs. discernment: where humans win over AI in marketing Hashtags #DTCMarketing #SpookySeason2025 #HalloweenMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #AdCreative #BlackFridayPrep #MarketingPodcast #DigitalMarketing #CreativeStrategy #AllKillerNoFiller 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

    20 min
  3. Ep 539: How Proov Turned Hormone Testing into a Scalable DTC Platform

    SEP 1

    Ep 539: How Proov Turned Hormone Testing into a Scalable DTC Platform

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Dr. Amy Beckley shares how her personal fertility struggles and scientific background led her to create Proov—a direct‑to‑consumer hormone testing platform that helps women measure PdG (progesterone metabolite), LH, estrogen, and FSH at home. The test, paired with a mobile app, provides an Ovulation Score and personalized guidance, aiming to shift women’s health from reactive to proactive. Key Insights: Hormone imbalance affects ~80% of women (PMS, PCOS, infertility, perimenopause). Proov enables these women to spot issues early.Pioneer in FDA‑cleared PdG testing and companion app delivering quantitative hormone data.Early adopters came from fertility awareness communities—not what Amy expected, but critical to traction.Healthcare is not proactive—Proov aims to fill that gap with data, empowerment, and streamlined care via digital prescription options.Business strategy: Lean launch, Amazon traction, VC funding, packaging, internal app team (rather than outsourcing), community listening. Why It Matters for DTC & Founders: A real example of transforming personal pain into scalable DTC medical tech.Demonstrates the push-and-pull between Amazon's convenience and owning the customer via an app/email funnel.Exemplifies iterative product development, regulatory rigor, and educational storytelling in complex health markets. Timestamps: 00:00 — Breaking Healthcare & The Birth of Proov 02:00 — Amy’s Journey: Miscarriages, Science & Building the Product 04:00 — Understanding Hormones, Fertility & Proactive Testing 08:00 — Fertility Challenges, IVF Costs & Industry Gaps 12:00 — Finding Early Adopters & Gaining Traction Through Communities 16:00 — Birth Control, Hormonal Imbalances & Long-Term Impacts 20:00 — Fundraising, Amazon Strategy & Owning the Customer 26:00 — Marketing Challenges, Education & Growing Awareness 30:00 — Building the Proov App & Scaling Technology 32:00 — Future Growth Plans, Proactive Hormone Health & Mission Hashtags: #DTCpodcast #Proov #FertilityAwareness #HormoneHealth #WomenInBusiness #HealthcareInnovation #DTCbrands #AmazonStrategy #StartupGrowth #WomensHealth 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
  4. Ep 538: How to Deploy UGC, CGC, and EGC in Your Paid Strategy | AKNF Preview of Ad-Venturous

    AUG 29

    Ep 538: How to Deploy UGC, CGC, and EGC in Your Paid Strategy | AKNF Preview of Ad-Venturous

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this DTC Podcast preview, we’re featuring an episode from Ad-Venturous — our performance creative podcast hosted by Pilothouse strategist Avery Valerio. In Episode 11, Avery breaks down the big three content types you need to master: User-Generated Content (UGC), Creator-Generated Content (CGC), and Employee-Generated Content (EGC). You’ll walk away with a clear sense of when to use each — and how to do it effectively. Inside the episode: The real differences between UGC, CGC, and EGC (and why it matters)Tips for briefing creators and making content worth watchingWhy EGC is emerging as a scalable trust-builder and underrated creative tool If you’re sourcing or producing performance creative at scale, this is required listening. Search "Ad-Venturous" in your podcast app and subscribe for weekly episodes on creative strategy that converts. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Creator Content Types 02:00 - Why UGC Matters and How to Use It Effectively 06:00 - Building Community Through Authentic Customer Content 14:00 - Creator Generated Content (CGC) Strategy and Best Practices 22:00 - Employee Generated Content (EGC) and How It Drives Trust & Reach 28:00 - Final Insights on Mixing UGC, CGC, and EGC for Brand Growth Hashtags: #UGC #CGC #EGC #AdventurousPodcast #DTCMarketing #ContentStrategy #SocialMediaMarketing #CreatorContent #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingInsights 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
  5. Bonus: Got AI Anxiety? Learn How 875 Brands Are Using AI: DTC x Triple Whale’s State of AI Report

    AUG 27

    Bonus: Got AI Anxiety? Learn How 875 Brands Are Using AI: DTC x Triple Whale’s State of AI Report

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode, we dig into the findings from the State of AI in DTC Marketing report, produced in partnership with Triple Whale. Our guest, Anthony DelPizzo, Director of Product Marketing at Triple Whale, walks us through how DTC brands are using AI—what’s working, what’s not, and where it’s all headed. Key Insights: 93.5% of DTC brands use AI today, but most still struggle with implementation clarity.Creative tasks are the top entry point, with tools reducing ideation and briefing time by 80–90%.Larger brands use AI for strategic ops like budgeting, forecasting, and media mix modeling.Only 60% of brands have anyone officially “owning” AI, which creates fragmentation.Trust is the biggest barrier—brands are hesitant to rely on tools without verifiable ROI.AI isn’t the future—it’s being used today in real DTC brands. But without a solid data foundation and clear org-wide strategy, most teams are under-leveraging the tech. This episode unpacks how brands are finding wins and where the gaps still lie. Download the report: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/partnerships/ai-in-dtc-marketing Timestamps 00:00 Triple Whale’s AI and Moby Chat Overview 04:00 How DTC Brands Use AI for Creative and Copy 08:00 AI’s Role in Strategy, Forecasting and Attribution 12:00 Using MMM and Moby to Optimize Marketing Spend 18:00 The Rise of AI Agents and Their Business Impact 22:00 Who Owns AI in Organizations and How to Scale It 26:00 How Brands Start Small and Scale AI Usage 30:00 The Future of AI-Driven Marketing and Persistent AI Agents Hashtags #DTCMarketing #AIinEcommerce #TripleWhale #MobyChat #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #MarketingAI #AttributionModeling #MMM #MarketingAutomation #DTCBrands #AIForMarketing #MobyAgents #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

    36 min
  6. Ep 537: How Dugout Mugs Scaled to $55M with Authentic Branding and Smart Partnerships

    AUG 25

    Ep 537: How Dugout Mugs Scaled to $55M with Authentic Branding and Smart Partnerships

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup On today’s DTC Podcast, Eric interviews Kris Dehnert, CEO of Dugout Mugs, the brand that turned baseball bat barrels into a $55M+ business. Kris shares his journey from early Facebook fan pages and Teespring to building a durable, licensed, retail-distributed sports brand. The conversation covers brand authenticity, partnerships, deal-making, AI in ecommerce, and the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics. 🔑 Key Insights from this Episode: Why authenticity and transparency are the foundation of modern DTC brandsHow Kris structured a win-win equity deal to launch Dugout MugsThe difference between playing to win vs. playing not to loseHow to balance seasonality with corporate gifting, retail, and evergreen sales channelsWhy AI in ecommerce (contracts, customer service, ads) saves time and reduces frictionThe philosophy behind “Do you want to be right or do you want to be rich?” in partnerships Whether you’re scaling a consumer brand or still testing product-market fit, Kris’ insights on deal-making, audience building, and building a brand that lasts are tactical, grounded, and immediately useful. Timestamps: 00:00 — Building authentic brands and prioritizing profit over vanity metrics 04:00 — From Facebook fan pages to $20M in t-shirt sales 08:00 — The origin of Dugout Mugs and scaling to $55M+ 14:00 — Turning content and personal branding into sales 18:00 — Partnership philosophy and making win-win deals 26:00 — How Kris structured an innovative equity deal to grow Dugout 30:00 — Handling seasonality, Q4 strategy, and corporate gifting 33:00 — Leveraging AI for content, customer service, and business growth 37:00 — Living life intentionally and protecting your time Hashtags: #DTCPodcast #EcommerceGrowth #DirectToConsumer #DugoutMugs #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #ContentStrategy #AIinEcommerce #Partnerships 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

    39 min
  7. Ep 536: The Only Browse Abandon Email You’ll Ever Need | AKNF Preview of TWBERP

    AUG 22

    Ep 536: The Only Browse Abandon Email You’ll Ever Need | AKNF Preview of TWBERP

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this DTC Podcast preview, we’re featuring a tactical deep dive from The World's Best Retention & Email Podcast — hosted by Pilothouse’s Jordan Gordon. In Episode 6, Jordan walks through the architecture of the only browse abandon email you’ll ever need — covering everything from when to trigger it, how to segment it, and what content to include to drive conversions. What you’ll learn: Why a single, well-built browse abandon flow can outperform segmented chaosThe ideal timing for follow-up emails (and how smart sending can break your flow)How dynamic product feeds and recommendation logic boost post-click performance If you run Klaviyo (or any email system), and you’re ready to maximize low-cost revenue from high-intent traffic, this episode is essential. Search "TWBERP" in your podcast player and subscribe for more retention strategy drops weekly. Timestamps: 00:00 — The only browse abandon email you need 02:45 — Triggers and category-based segmentation 05:30 — Building one clean funnel vs. multiple funnels 08:20 — Timing strategy and smart sending best practices 11:15 — Writing subject lines that actually drive clicks 15:00 — Dynamic content & product recommendations 18:10 — Hero shots vs. showing the product first 21:20 — Leveraging dynamic merchandising tactics 24:00 — Overcoming objections & adding brand storytelling 28:00 — Funnel flushers and discount strategies 34:00 — Common mistakes in browse abandonment emails 37:10 — Building a shoppable landing page experience Hashtags: #EmailMarketing #BrowseAbandonment #EcommerceMarketing #RetentionMarketing #KlaviyoTips #DTCMarketing #ShopifyEmail #EmailFlows #CustomerRetention #MarketingStrategy 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

    39 min
  8. Bonus: The Math Behind Influence and Why Most Influencer Marketing Fails with Yash Chavan from SARAL

    AUG 20

    Bonus: The Math Behind Influence and Why Most Influencer Marketing Fails with Yash Chavan from SARAL

    Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this Bonus episode of the DTC Podcast, we welcome back Yash Chavan, Founder & CEO of SARAL, the platform helping DTC brands turn influencer marketing into a structured, scalable growth engine. If your current strategy feels like influencer roulette, this episode offers a smarter way. 🔗 Try SARAL https://getsaral.com/demo You’ll learn: Why most influencer programs fail—and how to fix it using SARAL’s Pyramid of Influence framework.How to show up organically 3x per day in your ICP’s scroll sessions—without spending a cent on ads.The power of performance tiers: seeding → ambassador programs → custom partnerships.How SARAL’s AI assistant SIA helps scale personalized outreach without losing authenticity.Why influencer content should power more than posts—think whitelisting, product pages, email, and more. This episode is brought to you in collaboration with SARAL—your InfluencerOS for discovery, outreach, CRM, and analytics in one clean platform. Trusted by 250+ DTC brands looking to build real influence and cut CAC. Timestamps 00:00 - Why influencer marketing is broken 02:30 - Building brand awareness and mindshare 05:45 - The pyramid of influence explained 10:15 - How influencers move buyers into the market 14:30 - Attribution challenges and why metrics mislead 18:15 - Using AI to enhance influencer programs 21:30 - Case studies: Obvi, Ridge, First Form & more 25:00 - TikTok Shop’s role in influencer marketing 27:30 - Reusing influencer content for maximum ROI 29:45 - How to integrate influencer marketing with paid media Hashtags #DTCMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #BrandStrategy #DigitalMarketing #MarketingPodcast #SocialCommerce #TikTokShop #ContentStrategy #AffiliateMarketing 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

    30 min
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4.5
out of 5
36 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
    646
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 352487
  • Show Website
    DTC Podcast

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