Episodes

  • Ep 426: How MìLà Expanded from a Local Restaurant to a Nationwide Frozen Food Brand
    Jul 29 2024

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    Welcome to the DTC Podcast! In today’s episode, we have Jen Liao, co-founder of MìLà, a brand that started as a local restaurant and expanded into the nationwide frozen food market. We dive deep into MìLà's journey, exploring their adaptive strategies, the logistical challenges of shipping frozen food, and the innovative marketing campaigns that fueled their growth.


    Key Insights You Don’t Want to Miss:

    Adaptability: Learn how MìLà pivoted during the pandemic and found success with frozen soup dumplings.

    Experimentation: Discover the low-cost experiments that helped validate their business model and find product-market fit.

    Creative Marketing: Understand the impact of unique campaigns like the red envelope treasure hunt in driving retail sales.


    Why Listen?

    Logistical Insights: Gain valuable knowledge on managing the complex logistics of shipping frozen products.

    Marketing Strategies: Explore creative ways to engage customers and boost retail sales.

    Scaling Tips: Hear practical advice on scaling from a local business to a national brand.


    Tune in to learn how MìLà navigated the challenges of scaling their business and what strategies you can apply to your own growth journey.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction

    02:00 - Launching MiLa and Initial Challenges

    07:00 - Transition to Frozen Food and Nationwide DTC Expansion

    14:00 - Creative Advertising Strategies on Meta

    20:00 - Overcoming Logistics and Supply Chain Challenges

    28:00 - Entering Retail and Unique Marketing Campaigns

    36:00 - Future Growth and Product Expansion


    Hashtags:

    #DTCPodcast #MiLaFoods #DirectToConsumer #Ecommerce #FrozenFood #MarketingStrategies #RetailExpansion #InfluencerMarketing #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship


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    40 mins
  • Ep 425: How to Fix Email Automation Overload and Improve Retention (plus Long Live the Cookie!) | AKNF
    Jul 26 2024

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    “Automations become this kind of Frankenstein beast... a series of good ideas put together, but over time, it becomes a mess.” - Jordan discussing the common pitfalls of email automations.

    Jordan Gordon, Pilothouse Retention Director


    Welcome to the DTC Podcast! In this episode, we have Jordan Gordon, Director of Retention at Pilothouse, sharing his expertise on refining email marketing automations. We delve into the importance of auditing your email setup to avoid inefficiencies and improve customer retention.


    Key Insights You Don’t Want to Miss:

    Automations Overload: Learn how to identify and streamline overgrown email automations.

    Lifecycle Focus: Understand the critical automations for each stage of the customer lifecycle.

    Accurate Metrics: Discover the importance of accurate email metrics for improving deliverability and performance.


    Why Listen?

    Email Efficiency: Gain valuable tips on keeping your email automations lean and effective.

    Retention Strategies: Explore proven strategies to enhance customer retention through better email practices.

    Metric Mastery: Learn how to use tools like Klaviyo to analyze and improve your email campaigns.

    Tune in to learn how to clean up your email automations and boost your marketing efficiency!


    Timestamps:

    0:00 - Introduction: Mastermind Events and Addiction to Hosting

    2:00 - Overview of C-Suite Mastermind Event 2024

    6:00 - Importance of Email Automations

    8:00 - Differences Between Campaigns and Automations

    12:00 - Streamlining and Simplifying Email Automations

    18:00 - Avoiding Automation Overload and Maintaining Efficiency

    22:00 - Preparing for Q4: Importance of Early Planning

    25:00 - Monitoring Email Deliverability and Addressing Issues

    28:00 - Closing Remarks: Upcoming Episodes and Lead Gen Campaign


    Hashtags:

    #DTC #EmailMarketing #MarketingAutomation #MastermindEvents #Ecommerce #Q4Prep #InfluencerMarketing #MarketingTips #EricDick #JordanGordon #PilotHouse #DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #EmailDeliverability #EcommerceMarketing #BusinessGrowth


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    29 mins
  • Ep 424: Whiskey Business and the Return of the Rascal – Scaling Rod Stewart's Wolfie's Whiskey with Duncan Frew
    Jul 22 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today, we’re diving into the world of whiskey with Duncan Frew from Wolfie's, the rock star whiskey brand co-founded with Rod Stewart. Wolfie's is not just another celebrity-endorsed product; it's a unique blend of Scottish tradition and rock and roll rebellion.


    Key Insights:

    Brand Origin: Inspired by late-night whiskey sessions and rock star stories, Wolfie's was born out of a desire to disrupt the traditional whiskey market.

    Product Development: Focused on creating a high-quality product with extensive taste testing and market research.

    Rapid Expansion: From a DTC launch to being sold in 23 countries within a year, Wolfie's is taking the world by storm.

    Creative Marketing: Utilizing Rod Stewart’s persona to craft a brand that is both respectful of whiskey traditions and rebellious in spirit.


    Why Listen?

    Learn how to leverage celebrity influence authentically.

    Understand the challenges and strategies of rapid international expansion.

    Get inspired by unconventional marketing tactics that break through the noise.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction and Event Promotion

    03:00 Duncan Frew on the Genesis of Wolfie's Whiskey

    07:00 Marketing Strategy: Leveraging Rod Stewart's Influence

    12:00 Overcoming Challenges in Distribution and Sales

    16:00 The Importance of Repeat Purchases in Whiskey Sales

    21:00 Innovative and Outlandish Marketing Tactics

    25:00 Supporting Retail with Unique Marketing Approaches

    30:00 Thinking Globally, Acting Locally in Whiskey Sales

    32:00 Personal Advice on Drinking and Selling Whiskey


    Hashtags:

    #Whiskey #WolfiesWhiskey #RodStewart #RockAndRoll #DTCMarketing #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #Ecommerce #StartupStory #WhiskeyLovers #DuncanFrew #DTCPodcast


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    34 mins
  • Ep 423: Are You Even Performance Marketing If You're Not Creating Custom Landing Pages? (with Pilothouse's Aves and Jocelyn) | AKNF
    Jul 19 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast!

    Today, we're diving deep into a topic that's crucial for maximizing your digital marketing efforts: landing pages. Our guests, Aves and Jocelyn from Pilothouse, share their insights on why landing pages are a game-changer for any DTC brand looking to boost conversion rates.


    Key Insights:

    Landing Pages vs. PDPs: Understand the significant benefits of using landing pages over product detail pages.

    Optimization and Testing: Learn how continuous testing can lead to the most optimized landing pages.

    Warp Drive Tool: Discover how PilotHouse's proprietary tool enhances landing page performance without disrupting ad campaigns.


    Why You Should Listen:

    Get actionable tips on creating high-converting landing pages.

    Learn about the importance of aligning ad angles with landing page content.

    Discover the strategic advantage of using Pilothouse's Warp Drive tool.

    By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of how to leverage landing pages to enhance your DTC marketing strategy.


    Timestamps:

    0:00 - Introduction to Mastermind Events and DTC Podcast

    2:30 - Overview of the Victoria, BC Mastermind Event

    4:00 - Importance of Custom Landing Pages in E-commerce

    6:15 - Real-Life Success Stories: Drew Archeolo from Victory Gear

    8:45 - How to Make About Pages Shoppable

    11:00 - The Role of Landing Pages in Ad Campaigns

    13:30 - Effective Use of Landing Pages for Promo Campaigns

    15:00 - Problem Agitation vs. Problem Solution in Ads and Landing Pages

    17:15 - Evergreen Ads and Landing Pages for Q4 Prep

    19:30 - Tips for Beginners: Turning About Pages into Sales Pages

    22:00 - The Power of Founder's Story on Landing Pages

    24:15 - Technical Elements of High-Performing Landing Pages

    26:30 - Enhancing Pages with Personalization and Dynamic Content

    28:00 - Case Study: Jewelry Brand Success with Custom Landing Pages

    30:00 - The Second Step Optimization with Warp Drive

    32:00 - Conclusion and Call to Action


    Hashtags:

    #Ecommerce #LandingPages #DTC #DigitalMarketing #ConversionOptimization #EcommerceSuccess #MarketingTips #PilotHouse #SEO #AdCampaigns #MastermindEvents #FoundersStory #Shopify #OnlineSales #CustomerJourney


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    33 mins
  • Ep 422: How Kiaura Eyewear Achieved Viral Success with TikTok Shops with Founder Parker Godfrey
    Jul 15 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we have Parker Godfrey, the founder of Kiaura Eyewear, joining us to share his incredible journey. From selling t-shirts out of his car in high school to creating a successful eyewear brand, Parker's story is a testament to perseverance and innovative thinking.


    Key Insights:

    Leveraging TikTok’s organic reach and subsidized discounts to drive viral marketing.

    Targeting niche audiences with tailored content to maximize engagement.

    The importance of high-quality, well-designed products in building a loyal customer base.


    Why Listen:

    Discover the strategies behind Kiaura Eyewear’s rapid growth.

    Learn about the challenges and solutions in scaling a DTC eyewear brand.

    Gain insights into effective social media marketing and content creation.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction and Mastermind Events Overview

    02:00 - Parker Godfrey's Journey from High School Football to Entrepreneurship

    06:00 - The Challenges and Successes of Launching Kiaura Eyewear

    10:00 - Leveraging TikTok Shops for Explosive Growth

    14:00 - Designing Unique and Functional Sunglasses Inspired by Architecture

    18:00 - The Importance of Consistent Organic Content on TikTok

    22:00 - Balancing TikTok and Meta for Effective Customer Acquisition

    26:00 - Exploring the Potential of Google Ads for DTC Brands

    28:00 - Benefits of a 1099 Workforce and Focusing on Core Strengths

    31:00 - Parker's Vision for the Future of Kiaura Eyewear


    Hashtags:

    #DTC #Ecommerce #TikTokMarketing #KiauraEyewear #Entrepreneurship #SocialMediaMarketing #OrganicGrowth #InfluencerMarketing #DirectToConsumer #EyewearDesign #StartupJourney #BusinessGrowth #SEO #Podcast #DigitalMarketing #BrandStorytelling #ContentCreation #TikTokShops #SmallBusiness #MarketingStrategies


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    35 mins
  • Ep 421: How to Grow Your Top of Funnel With Humor, Controversy, and Drops with Aves from Pilothouse | AKNF
    Jul 12 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today, we're diving deep into the art of creating top-of-funnel content that not only grabs attention but also drives conversions. Our guest is Avery from Pilot House, a leading digital marketing agency known for its innovative strategies. In this episode, Avery shares insights on how to transform your social media channels into powerful top-of-funnel machines.


    Key Takeaways:

    Humor in Ads: Why incorporating humor can significantly boost engagement and reduce ad costs.

    Light Controversy: How sparking debates can drive comments and lower your cost per engagement.

    Limited Edition Drops: Leveraging exclusive products to attract new audiences and reduce customer acquisition costs.


    Discover how these strategies can help you build a robust top-of-funnel approach that keeps your brand top of mind and drives high-quality traffic.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction: Mastermind Events for Marketers

    02:00 - Top Funnel Strategies: Key Speakers and Success Stories

    04:00 - The Role of Humor in Advertising

    06:00 - Engaging with Audience through Comments and Click-Through Rates

    08:00 - Creating Controversial Ads for Increased Engagement

    10:00 - Using Limited Edition Product Drops for New Customer Acquisition

    12:00 - Measuring Success: Click-Through Rates and New Customer Acquisition Costs

    14:00 - Emotional Targeting: The Power of Specific Ads

    16:00 - Closing Remarks: Upcoming C-Suite Mastermind Event


    Hashtags:

    #MarketingStrategies #DTC #TopOfFunnel #MastermindEvents #HumorInAds #InfluencerMarketing #DigitalMarketing #Advertising #CustomerEngagement #ProductDrops #C-SuiteMastermind #MarketingTips #Ecommerce #SEO #SocialMediaMarketing


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    32 mins
  • Bonus: Effective UGC Strategies with Minisocial's Kirsten Baumberger and Austin Rogers
    Jul 10 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today, we're excited to have Kirsten and Austin from minisocial. Mini Social has been a remarkable partner for DTC almost since our inception, helping brands harness the power of user-generated content (UGC) and micro-influencer campaigns. In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of UGC, the strategy behind high-volume influencer campaigns, and the dual benefits of awareness and content repurposing.


    https://minisocial.com


    Key Takeaways:

    Evolution of UGC: Understanding how user-generated content has transformed over the years and its enduring relevance.

    High-Volume Campaigns: Learn why launching with dozens or even hundreds of micro-influencers can provide a significant boost to your brand.

    Content Repurposing: Discover strategies for effectively repurposing UGC across various marketing channels to maximize ROI.

    Tune in to hear how Kirsten and Austin are pioneering new ways to leverage UGC and micro-influencers for sustainable brand growth.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to Minisocial and Influencer Campaigns

    02:45 - The Evolution of UGC and Its Impact on Brands

    05:30 - Minisocial's Journey: From Marketing Agency to Influencer Platform

    08:00 - Running High Volume Micro-Influencer Campaigns

    11:00 - The Role of TikTok Shops in Modern E-Commerce

    13:30 - Trends in the DTC Space: Personal Care and CPG Innovations

    16:00 - Leveraging AI for Efficient Influencer Campaign Briefs

    19:00 - Authenticity in Influencer Marketing and UGC

    22:00 - Tips for Maximizing UGC and Micro-Influencer Campaigns

    25:30 - The Future of UGC: From Small Screens to Big Screens

    28:00 - Conclusion and Special Offers for DTC Podcast Listeners


    Hashtags:

    #InfluencerMarketing #UGC #MicroInfluencers #DTC #Minisocial #TikTokMarketing #AIinMarketing #ContentCreation #DigitalMarketing #BrandGrowth #MarketingTrends #DTCPodcast


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    31 mins
  • Ep 420: Innovating The Cheese Puff: Ffups Sam Tichenor Scales Snacking (without the Health Claims)
    Jul 8 2024

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    Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're joined by Sam Tichnor, founder of FFUPS, (yes that's puffs backwards) a snack brand that’s shaking up the puff market with innovative flavors and a focus on simplicity. In this episode, Sam shares his journey from working at Harry's to creating FFUPS, his insights on the snack industry, and the strategic shifts that have defined his brand's growth.


    https://ffups.com


    Key Insights:

    Customer Engagement through DTC: Learn how Sam uses DTC as a strategic tool for market testing and customer engagement.

    Retail Expansion: Discover the challenges and strategies behind transitioning from DTC to retail.

    Flavor Over Health Claims: Understand how FFUPS differentiates itself by focusing on interesting flavors and simplicity rather than competing in the "better for you" space.

    Tune in to hear how FFUPS is redefining what it means to be a puff snack and the lessons Sam has learned along the way.


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction and Initial Strategy

    02:00 - Adjusting Go-to-Market Strategy

    05:00 - Building FFUPs: Inspiration and Market Gaps

    07:00 - Flavor Innovation and Consumer Preferences

    10:00 - Challenges and Insights from Amazon Sales

    12:00 - Future Plans and Marketing Strategies

    15:00 - Importance of Sampling and Retail Presence

    18:00 - Using DTC for Customer Engagement

    21:00 - Content Creation and Social Media Strategies

    24:00 - Closing Thoughts and Final Insights


    Hashtags:

    #DTCpodcast #FFUPs #SamTichnor #SnackInnovation #GoToMarketStrategy #PuffSnacks #ConsumerEngagement #FlavorInnovation #DTCPodcastEpisode #FoodEntrepreneur


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    35 mins