
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 24, 2024 • 50min
Boost Your Sales With Incrementality
Nick Stolzt, Chief Strategy Officer at Measured, discusses incrementality in ecommerce measurement. Topics include challenges in measurement solutions, optimizing media mix, misconceptions about platform-reported results, and strategies for data-driven decisions. Valuable insights for improving measurement strategies and boosting sales.

4 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 36min
25 Hottest Ecommerce Takes
Topics include the importance of ads in ecommerce, the shift in buying behaviors, potential of physical retail, mastering Excel for value, and using exclusions in advertising for revenue growth.

Jul 17, 2024 • 38min
From Tweet to Transformation: Introducing the CTC Global Accelerator Program
Welcome back to the eCommerce Playbook Podcast! This episode is extra special because we’re revealing something groundbreaking. Back in January, Taylor tweeted about finding a "magical wizard" who learns faster and works harder than anyone we’ve ever met. Today, we unveil that wizard and share an exciting new service.
Meet Joy Sharma, the genius behind our new CTC Global Accelerator. This program offers world-class growth services tailored for brands under $10 million in revenue, at a price that makes total sense. Joy's relentless pursuit of knowledge and his unique approach have driven incredible results for our clients, transforming their businesses and turning losses into significant profits.
In this episode, Joy shares his personal journey from India to becoming a leading growth marketer, his unique method of learning from the best in the industry, and how he’s applying all this knowledge to help small brands grow. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in the current market and how remote work and global talent are changing the game.
If you're a seven-figure brand looking for affordable, high-quality growth services, this is the episode you don't want to miss. Learn more about the CTC Global Accelerator and how it can help you achieve sustainable and profitable growth.
Show Notes:
Particl’s exclusive 2-week free trial and a 20% discount off your first month using the code "CTC." http://Particl.com
Take your brand from 7 to 8 figures: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/accelerator
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.

6 snips
Jul 16, 2024 • 43min
State of the Industry - First Half of 2024 Recap
Dive into the ecommerce industry trends of the first half of 2024 with a focus on ad performance, consumer confidence, gifting trends, and challenges with attribution. Explore the impact of Advantage Plus and Performance Max campaigns, and the importance of incrementality testing in advertising. Get ready for a comprehensive analysis and expert commentary on the ever-evolving ecommerce landscape!

5 snips
Jul 11, 2024 • 33min
Revisiting: How to Build a Map to Profitable Growth
Explore the Prophit System for profitable growth, daily monitoring, and adjustments. Learn how to diagnose business challenges and create a growth map. Real-life examples of forecasting and adjusting strategies. Gain insights for e-commerce success in 2024 and beyond.

Jul 2, 2024 • 28min
Half Time Health Check
Reflecting on the first half of the year, the podcast discusses key metrics to re-examine, beating the summer slump, and leveraging revenue levers for Q3. They emphasize the importance of actively monitoring customer files in e-commerce, optimizing sales tracking, media planning, and strategic product launches for growth.

Jun 27, 2024 • 36min
Ryan Reynolds Hates Iterative Creative Testing
Actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds discusses the importance of storytelling in advertising, emphasizing emotional connection and cultural relevance. The podcast delves into crafting marketing stories through design, navigating creative testing challenges, and exploring principles of emotional storytelling for impactful business strategies.

Jun 20, 2024 • 38min
Growing Profitability ft. Marshall Morris of HomeLife Brands
Marshall Morris, Co-founder of HomeLife Brands, shares insights on maximizing eCommerce profitability through diversifying revenue streams and leveraging customer data. Learn about the power of post-checkout offers, digital real estate, and sponsored content strategies for sustainable business growth.

Jun 18, 2024 • 26min
Three Reasons Google is Losing to Meta
Discussing the decline in Google's ad spending compared to Meta, reasons for the shift, Meta's proactive testing approach, differences in incrementality testing, impact on business outcomes, evaluation of advertising geographies, and Google's transition to a standard shopping-oriented advertising structure

Jun 13, 2024 • 27min
State of the Industry: May's eCommerce Trends & Insights
Dive into May's ecommerce trends, from Mother's Day to consumer sentiment. Discover significant growth for brands, ad spend insights on Meta, and intriguing consumer behavior shifts. Explore creative output of top brands, channel source impact on AOV, and ASC vs. BAU performance comparisons.