S10 E1: How to Have a Happy Holiday: Marketing and Ops Crossover (with Hattie Gilpin of Wellbel)
Oct 30, 2024
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Hattie Gilpin, Director of Operations at Wellbel, shares her expertise on navigating the holiday season. She discusses effective Black Friday strategies like optimizing email subject lines and the pros and cons of discounting. Hattie emphasizes the importance of integrating operations and marketing, especially in customer service, to handle order volume efficiently. She also explores innovative customer engagement techniques, including personalized communication and inventory management tips that can elevate holiday sales.
Personalized email communication, like applying discounts automatically for subscribers, fosters customer loyalty and enhances brand sentiment.
Successful holiday planning starts early, focusing on understanding peak sales periods to effectively manage supply chain and operations.
Implementing referral programs with significant incentives enhances customer acquisition and retention while ensuring long-term value without steep discounts.
Deep dives
Enhancing Subscriber Experience
Brands can significantly improve the experience of their active subscribers through thoughtful communication. Sending personalized emails to notify subscribers of exclusive discounts can foster a sense of appreciation and loyalty. For instance, applying a Black Friday discount automatically to a subscriber’s next renewal order highlights the brand's commitment to its customers. This proactive approach not only rewards subscribers but also reinforces a positive brand sentiment.
Operational Readiness for the Holiday Season
Successful brands prepare for the holiday season well in advance, often starting as early as July. Understanding peak periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday is essential for effective planning, especially when managing supply chain and fulfillment operations. Companies like WellBell have adopted strategies such as implementing referral incentives instead of heavy discounts to maintain long-term subscriber value. This allows them to attract quality customers without sacrificing margins during peak shopping times.
Innovative Referral Programs
Referral programs can be enhanced by allowing customers to earn significant benefits for referring friends. For example, offering a 'give $15, get $15' incentive encourages customers to invite others while allowing them to stack discounts. Such innovative approaches can lead to increased customer retention and expansion of the subscriber base. By providing a seamless experience through these referral incentives, brands can improve their acquisition strategy and overall customer engagement.
Effective Customer Service Strategies
Optimizing customer service during peak seasons is crucial for maintaining satisfaction and trust. Implementing automated solutions for common inquiries can alleviate the burden on representatives while ensuring customer needs are met promptly. Additionally, fully integrating direct messaging platforms, such as social media channels, into customer service operations can streamline communication. Focusing on personalized responses and maintaining dedicated customer service personnel ensures that the brand stands out even amidst high demand.
Best Practices for Shipping and Fulfillment
Effective logistics management during peak sales periods can significantly impact customer experience. Brands should communicate their shipping timelines and ensure they stick to them to avoid complaints and negative feedback. Utilizing third-party logistics providers that can handle increased order volume and deliver on time is essential. By establishing clear expectations and working closely with fulfillment partners, brands can enhance their operational efficiency and customer satisfaction during the busy holiday season.
The holiday season is right around the corner. For people in the DTC world, it’s time to gear up, get excited, and get it together.
Nik talks to Hattie Gilpin, the Director of Operations at wellness brand Wellbel, about attracting consumer attention via email subject line, discounts, subscriptions, and more. Should you apply your discount code to every subscriber on your list? Does a ‘gift with purchase’ actually attract more sales? When should you order package inserts?
Plus, Hattie talks about the importance of customer service—and how operations AND marketing need to work together to anticipate order volume ASAP.
And don’t forget to check out Nik’s helpful hacks here:
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And if you’re looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik’s most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.