Weekly discussions between disruptive direct to consumer ecommerce brands and our amazing team about marketing, funnels, and everything scaling related. Subscri...
Ep 484: How to Track Lifecycle Metrics, Not Just Revenue with Jordan Gordon from Pilothouse and The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupToday, we’re doing something a little different. We’re featuring an episode from The World's Best Email and Retention Podcast (TWBERP)—a must-listen for anyone looking to maximize revenue from the customers they’ve already acquired.Subscribe to TWBERP Here: https://open.spotify.com/show/30OswCnXzinWp0zBP1kenR?si=gFxF-OOsQY2FNh0Tc_1Q0ATWBERP is where Jordan Gordon and the Pilothouse email and retention team break down the strategies that keep customers engaged and spending, without relying on constant acquisition.In this episode, Jordan dives into a concept that big brands obsess over but most DTC brands ignore—tracking your lifecycle metrics, not just your revenue. He breaks down:🔹 The 3 key lifecycle stages—Promotional, Customer, and Category—and why tracking them gives you a clearer picture of your business health.🔹 How to spot margin erosion in your discounting strategy before it tanks your profits.🔹 Why a growing revenue line can actually be a red flag—and what to look for instead.If you’re serious about scaling your brand sustainably, this one’s a must-listen.Hit play and don’t forget to subscribe to TWBERP!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Lifecycle Metrics02:00 Why Tracking Revenue Alone Is Not Enough04:30 Three Key Lifecycle Metrics to Monitor07:15 The Impact of Discount Strategies on Profit Margins10:45 Building a Loyal Customer Base vs. Constant Acquisition14:30 How to Measure Customer Retention Effectively18:15 The Role of Product Categories in Lifecycle Marketing22:00 Closing Thoughts & Email Growth StrategiesHashtags:#EmailMarketing #CustomerRetention #LifecycleMetrics #EcommerceGrowth #DigitalMarketing #DTC #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #EmailOptimization #RetentionMarketing Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
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EP 483: Velocity Wins: How Curtis Matsko Scaled Portland Leather Goods to 9 Figures by Moving Faster Than Everyone Else
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signup📢 What does it really take to scale a 9-figure DTC brand? Relentless speed, constant reinvention, and never playing defense.In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Curtis Matsko, founder and CEO of Portland Leather Goods, to break down how he built one of the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer brands by outpacing the competition at every turn.Curtis doesn't hesitate—he makes decisions fast, learns fast, and scales fast. While most brands overanalyze, he moves forward, makes adjustments in real time, and never stops evolving.✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why "velocity wins"—and how moving fast (not perfection) is the key to DTC successThe 3-6-9 hiring framework Curtis uses to keep his team leveling up every yearWhy 92% of Portland Leather Goods’ ad spend goes to Meta & Google (and why TikTok isn’t even on his radar)How vertical integration in Mexico became their ultimate growth hack—ensuring inventory never kills scalingThe truth about luxury brands: Why most "leather" bags aren’t real leather—and why that’s Portland Leather Goods’ biggest advantageHow to know when it's time to reinvent your brand—so you don’t end up like the five competitors that went bankruptThis episode is a must-listen for any brand owner looking to scale fast, break through growth ceilings, and build a brand that actually lasts. 🎧00:00 – Curtis Matsko on embracing change in business02:30 – The origin story of Portland Leather Goods06:00 – The importance of real leather and craftsmanship10:15 – Scaling a brand through rapid decision-making15:40 – The power of customer experience and brand trust20:20 – How vertical integration fuels growth25:10 – Hiring, leadership, and internal team development30:50 – The role of Meta and Google in scaling DTC brands35:45 – Why customer retention is key in DTC success40:30 – The future of Portland Leather and business expansion#DTC #Ecommerce #LeatherGoods #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #MetaAds #GoogleAds #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #ScalingBusiness #FounderStory #DirectToConsumer #BrandBuilding #RetailSuccess #ShopifySubscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC -https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse -https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube -https://dtcnews.link/video
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Ep 482: How to Optimize Amazon Merchandising for Maximum Sales | AKNF
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAmazon is a crucial sales channel, but most brands fail to merchandise their products effectively. In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Rob & Clifford from Pilot House’s Amazon team break down the key strategies to optimize Amazon listings for better visibility, conversion, and profitability.🚀 What You’ll Learn:Why variation strategy is critical for increasing visibility and conversions.How to align your Amazon merchandising strategy with your broader brand goals.The importance of shopping your own listings to eliminate friction in the buying process.How to optimize for different levels of buying intent—commodity, fashion, and consultative purchases.Why brands should not rely on Amazon Vendor Central for their merchandising.Amazon is not a passive sales channel. If you're not actively optimizing your merchandising strategy, you're leaving revenue on the table. Tune in to get the insights you need to level up your brand’s presence on the platform.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Amazon Merchandising02:10 Understanding Amazon’s Unique Shopping Experience04:50 Strategic Brand Positioning on Amazon07:30 The Role of Variations in Merchandising10:15 Traffic Intent and Brand Store Strategy12:40 On-Brand Aesthetics for Amazon Listings15:20 Lessons from Dr. Squatch and Manscaped18:00 Improving the Customer Buying Experience21:30 Tariffs and Their Impact on Amazon Sellers24:50 Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsHashtags#AmazonSelling #EcommerceTips #AmazonFBA #DTC #EcommerceMarketing #AmazonStrategy #DigitalMarketing #OnlineSelling #RetailTrends #AmazonMerchandisingSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
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Ep 481: Scaling Brand Awareness: BYLT’s Playbook for Upper Funnel Marketing (ft Mike Tyson!)
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signup🚀 How do you build a brand that consumers remember before they even see an ad? BYLT Basics is mastering the art of upper funnel marketing.In this episode, Spencer Toomey, BYLT’s growth lead, breaks down how major sponsorships—like their Mike Tyson partnership during his Netflix fight—drove massive Q4 success.📌 Key takeaways:📺 TV + Sponsorships = Performance Lift – How upper funnel plays fuel bottom-funnel conversions.🔍 How BYLT Measures Brand Awareness – Google Trends, post-purchase surveys, and real-time site traffic spikes.🎯 The New Media Mix – Why brands need to rethink their reliance on Meta and experiment with new channels like Tatari, AppLovin, and YouTube.💡 Creative Flywheel Strategy – How BYLT is optimizing their ad volume and storytelling to drive impact.This episode is packed with tactical insights for marketers who want to scale without relying solely on Meta ads.Timestamps:00:00 - Diversifying ad spend beyond Meta02:10 - The impact of Mike Tyson's sponsorship on BILT04:50 - Upper funnel strategies and TV advertising bets07:20 - Leveraging AppLovin for new customer acquisition10:05 - Creative flywheel: Scaling ad production efficiently12:45 - Using post-purchase surveys for attribution insights15:30 - The role of influencers and brand ambassadors18:20 - Late-night ad launch strategy explained21:00 - Essential marketing tools: Motion & NoCommerce23:40 - Future experiments with PMAX, YouTube, and AppLovinHashtags:#DTCMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #MetaAds #BrandAwareness #CreativeStrategy #AdvertisingTips #GrowthMarketing #YouTubeAds #InfluencerMarketing #MarketingTech #AdOptimization #BusinessGrowth #MarketingPodcast #DTCBrandsSubscribe to DTC Newsletter -https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC -https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse -https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube -https://dtcnews.link/video
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Ep 480: How Meta’s New Ad Rules Impact Health & Wellness Brands with Pilothouse | AKNF
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup
Meta’s latest advertising update is shaking up the health & wellness space, restricting event tracking for many brands. This means brands selling supplements, wellness products, or other health-related items may no longer see key conversion events like purchases and add-to-cart in their Meta ad accounts.
In this episode, Eric Dyck chats with Pilothouse Meta experts Taylor Cain, Jocelyn, and Aves to break down what’s happening, what brands should do, and how to stay compliant while still driving results.
Key Topics Covered:
✅ What’s Changing? Meta’s new event tracking restrictions explained
✅ Who’s Affected? How Meta is categorizing health & wellness brands
✅ Workarounds That Work: Using upper-funnel event tracking to maintain ad performance
✅ Creative & Messaging Shifts: Why brands need to sell a lifestyle, not just a product
✅ Long-Term Impact: Will Meta roll out similar restrictions to other industries?
Meta is prioritizing user privacy, and these changes are likely just the beginning. If your brand is affected, tune in to get the insights you need to adapt your strategy.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Meta’s new health and wellness ad restrictions
02:15 - What this means for advertisers
05:00 - Meta’s event tracking changes explained
08:30 - Preparing for the new ad policies
11:00 - How brands can pivot their messaging
14:45 - The impact on creative and targeting
18:20 - Future of health and wellness ads on Meta
21:30 - Attribution updates and performance tracking
Hashtags:
#MetaAds #DigitalMarketing #AdvertisingChanges #HealthAndWellness #DTCMarketing #MarketingNews #PaidSocial #SocialMediaAds #FacebookAds #InstagramAds
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
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