
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
Latest episodes

Dec 26, 2023 • 49min
DTC Archive: Tiny's Andrew Wilkinson: Hero's Journey from Barista to Empire Builder
Andrew Wilkinson, dubbed "The Warren Buffet of Startups", shares his journey from barista to empire builder. Topics include bootstrapping vs raising money, the AeroPress acquisition, list growth strategies, taking a company public, and the power of entrepreneurial support networks.

Dec 22, 2023 • 33min
Ep 364: SLAY Team on The Secret to 5x Scale on Meta Ads, Q5, BFCM Zombie Campaigns
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Aves and first-time AKNFer Jocelyn jump on to share unfiltered Meta Ads gold to get you prepped for Q5 and 2024 on Meta Ads.
Listen and learn:
• Tips to maximize Q5 (including turning on your BFCM campaigns for extra juice)
• Horizontal and Vertical Scale and 5xing our ad spend
• Why you need to improve your click attribution and how to do it!
• Our favorite offers, brands, and marketing stories
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Dec 18, 2023 • 45min
Ep 363: Zero to $4 Million in 365 Days: Dan McCormick Recreates Creatine and Stays Swole
Dan McCormick, founder of Create, a creatine gummy brand, shares his journey to $4 million in sales in the first year. They discuss market strategy, form factor, and rapid scaling. They also talk about the benefits of creatine, the convenience of gummies, and marketing for the launch. The challenges of Twitter's ad platform and expansion plans are explored.

Dec 15, 2023 • 25min
Ep 362: Is CPC for Clowns? Meta Ads BFCM Recap | AKNF
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Join us as we catch up with Nate and Taylor who lead Pilothouse's Socials team (Meta Ads and TikTok Ads) on their Black Friday Cyber Monday results.
Stay tuned to learn who we think the clown is in the CPC Debate!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Black Friday & Cyber Monday Marketing Insights
02:10 - Strategies for Optimizing Ad Spend During Peak Sales Periods
04:30 - Understanding and Overcoming Credit Issues in Marketing Campaigns
06:40 - The Importance of CPC in Digital Marketing Campaigns
08:50 - Product Launches and Unique Offers for Black Friday/Cyber Monday
11:00 - Introducing Scale School: A New Frontier in DTC Marketing Education
Hashtags:
#DigitalMarketing #BlackFridayMarketing #CyberMondayTips #DTCPilotHouse #ScaleSchool #AdSpendOptimization #CPCStrategy #EcommerceMarketing #MarketingEducation
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Dec 12, 2023 • 47min
Ep 361: Shocking the Gatekeepers – Auto Aftermarket Goes DTC with Sean Reyes from Shock Surplus
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Sean Reyes, founder of Shock Surplus, discusses his journey in the shock industry and the challenges of gatekeeping and manufactured virality. He shares insights on educating customers about shock absorbers and empowering them to make informed decisions. Sean also talks about the growth of his business and the impact of the economy on the aftermarket industry. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and value in standing out from the competition. Additionally, he highlights the significance of short-form video content and the role of different social media platforms in reaching and engaging with audiences. In this conversation, Sean Reyes, the founder of Shock Surplus, discusses his journey in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space and how he has transformed his business into a media company that sells parts. He talks about the importance of vertical integration and expanding into new markets. Sean also shares his plans to build a full-service shop and invest in a shock rebuild tool kit. He emphasizes the significance of customer lifetime value and the challenges of increasing it. The conversation concludes with Sean providing contact information and discussing the potential for innovation in the DTC space.
Takeaways
Educating customers and providing value-added services can differentiate a brand in the aftermarket industry.
Gatekeeping and lack of transparency are prevalent in the automotive industry, but there is an opportunity to democratize knowledge and empower customers.
Short-form video content, such as TikTok and YouTube shorts, can be effective in reaching and engaging with audiences.
Offering unique services, like same-day shock service, can provide added value and set a brand apart.
Authenticity and category design are key factors in building a successful brand in a competitive market. Vertical integration is crucial for success in the DTC space.
Transitioning from a parts company to a media company can lead to new opportunities.
Investing in a full-service shop can enhance the customer experience and provide additional revenue streams.
Customer lifetime value is an important metric to track and improve in order to drive business growth.
Innovation in the DTC space offers endless opportunities for retrofitting legacy businesses with digital marketing tactics.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Topics
01:05 Getting into the Shock Game
03:02 Discovering Drop Shipping
04:01 Starting Shock Surplus
05:24 Cutting Out the Middleman
06:16 The Archaic Aftermarket Automotive Industry
07:22 Educating Customers on Shock Absorbers
10:13 Gatekeeping in the Automotive Industry
13:53 Providing Education and Empowering Customers
16:27 The Aftermarket Market and Growth
17:32 Using Minimum Advertised Pricing to Gain Market Share
18:37 The Role of Meta Ads in the Marketing Strategy
20:18 Manufactured Virality and Brand Rivalries
22:16 The Importance of Short-Form Video Content
24:23 The Impact of the Economy on the Aftermarket Industry
25:27 Competition and Category Design
27:11 Differentiating with Authenticity and Value
30:34 The Tech Stack and Essential Tools
36:35 The Differences in Audience on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram
39:02 The Importance of Short-Form Video Content
40:50 Vertical Integration and Expansion
41:38 Transition to a Media Company
42:15 Building a Full-Service Shop
42:49 Investing in Shock Rebuild Tool Kit
43:34 Customer Lifetime Value
45:44 Future Plans and Contact Information
46:58 Innovation in the DTC Space
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Dec 8, 2023 • 27min
Ep 360: The Power of the Double Tap + The Secret Tool For Instant Email Scale (And How to Use it Safely)
In this podcast, they discuss strategies and tactics for maximizing retention during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. They cover topics such as increasing message volume, using text-only messages, double tapping, targeting VIP and repeat buyers, pre-hero and subject line testing, optimizing revenue procession, using retention.com and Black Crow, filling the funnel early, reaching back in a safe and compliant way, preparing for 2024, turning email into a revenue engine, and coordinating with other channels. Exclusive swag is available for dedicated listeners.

Dec 4, 2023 • 33min
Ep 359: Breaking Barriers in Menstrual Health with Nadia Ladak CEO of Marlow
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Hello and welcome to DTC Podcast, I'm Eric Dyck.
Today I'm talking with Nadia Ladak, Co-Founder and CEO of Marlow a trailblazing Toronto company redefining menstrual health with the world's First Lubricated Tampon.
https://wearemarlow.com
Marlow started as a bold solution to a widespread yet overlooked issue in menstrual health, representing a paradigm shift in an industry long-dominated by stagnant product offerings. In this episode, Nadia shares her unique insights on disrupting a traditional market, building a community-focused brand, and leveraging digital platforms for growth.
Ready for a disruption dissertation?
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Marlow's Origin Story
03:20 - Challenges in Menstrual Health Innovation
08:00 - Building a Strong Brand Community
12:30 - Digital Marketing and Content Strategies
17:00 - Nadia Ladak’s Advice for Entrepreneurs
Hashtags:
#Marlow #MenstrualHealthInnovation #DTCpodcast #StartupCulture #DigitalMarketingStrategies #BrandBuilding #WomenEntrepreneurs #HealthAndWellness #EntrepreneurshipTips #BusinessGrowth
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Dec 1, 2023 • 26min
Ep 358: Black Friday Cyber Monday Results Breakdown for Google and Amazon Ads | AKNF
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Join us for a rapid fire retrospective on what happened, what crushed and what tanked for Ecomerce Brands running Google Ads and Amazon Ads with Pilothouse.
Meta Ads + Retention Results discussed next week!
Work with Dougie on Google ads or Clifford on Amazon ➝ Pilothouse.co
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Black Friday Marketing Strategies
02:10 - Google Ads Success Stories: Revenue Growth and Efficiency Gains
08:20 - Amazon Promotions: Strategically Placed for Maximum Impact
15:30 - SMS Marketing: Enhancing Customer Engagement and Revenue
20:40 - Lessons Learned: Preparing for Future Black Friday Campaigns
Hashtags:
#BlackFridaySales #GoogleAds #AmazonStrategy #SMSMarketing #DTCBrands #MarketingTips #SalesGrowth #HolidayMarketing #EcommerceSuccess #DigitalMarketingStrategies
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Nov 27, 2023 • 44min
Ep 357: Hot Seat Revisited – Santevia's Matthew Gohl Revolutionizes Water, Conquers Amazon
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Hello and Welcome to DTC Podcast, I'm Eric Dyck. Today we're talkin' water with Santevia's Matthew Gohl
Santevia is a revolutionary water filtration system that puts back some of the essential nutrients that market learding brands like Brita and Zero Water Filter Out.
We met the Santevia team at our event in Las Vegas, where they took the stage and braved a Hot Seat Session with our speakers and audience. The advice we gave on that day has come to inform their new approach and is paying major dividends as Santevia continues to grow aggressively on Amazon and through their retail presence.
Uncover the Marketing Strategies That Propelled Santieva's Water System to Success:
Mastering Amazon Marketplace: Dive into Santieva's approach to dominating Amazon sales, including optimizing product listings and leveraging user reviews for increased visibility.
Social Media Synergy: Explore how Santieva's integrated social media strategy, particularly on platforms like TikTok, augmented their Amazon success by driving brand recognition and trust.
Analytics-Driven Campaigns: Unpack the role of detailed data analysis in Santieva's marketing decisions, from targeting the right customer segments to refining their advertising tactics for maximum ROI.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: Santevia's Unique Water Filtration System
3:00 - Impact of E-Commerce and Shopify on Business Growth
7:00 - Strategies for Success on Amazon's Platform
12:00 - The Importance of Influencer Marketing in Brand Expansion
16:00 - Future Directions: UK Expansion and New Product Development
Hashtags:
#SanteviaWaterFiltration #DTCpodcast #WaterPurification #EcommerceGrowth #AmazonSalesStrategy #HealthAndWellness #InfluencerMarketing #SustainableLiving #CleanWaterSolution #InnovationInWater
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Nov 24, 2023 • 30min
Ep 356: The Three Stages of TikTok Ad Mastery With Spencer from Pilothouse | AKNF
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In this insightful episode of our podcast, Eric and Spencer delve into the dynamic world of TikTok advertising, unpacking the journey from initial experimentation to sustaining long-term success. The conversation is structured around three critical stages of advertising on digital platforms, particularly TikTok.
In Stage 1, they explore the initial phase of discovering what resonates with the audience, emphasizing the importance of creative experimentation.
The discussion then shifts to Stage 2, where the focus is on scaling and optimizing winning strategies. This phase is marked by growth and the excitement of refining successful creatives.
The final segment, Stage 3, addresses the challenges of ad fatigue and the need for innovation, highlighting strategies such as visual refreshes, new content approaches, and the significance of TikTok’s advanced retargeting capabilities. This episode offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of digital advertising, underscoring the necessity of adaptability and continual learning in the realm of social media marketing.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to TikTok Ad Changes and Advanced Pixel Matching
2:20 - Strategies for DTC Brands on Shopify Using TikTok
4:40 - Identifying and Navigating the Three Stages of TikTok Growth
7:10 - Scaling Strategies and Creative Testing in TikTok Advertising
9:30 - Navigating the 'Midlife Crisis' Stage and Refreshing Ad Creatives
Hashtags:
#TikTokAdvertising #DTCmarketing #TikTokGrowth #SocialMediaAds #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceStrategies #AdScaling #CreativeTesting #TikTokRetargeting #PilotHouse
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Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video