DTC Podcast

• Ep 506: The PMAX Reset Strategy That Delivered a 37% ROAS Lift | AKNF

  Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode, we sit down with Zavire from Pilothouse’s Google team to dissect a common problem many DTC brands face: Performance Max campaigns that stagnate after a few months of initial success.You’ll hear exactly how Pilothouse helped Benji Sleep break out of this “PMAX plateau” by overhauling their campaign structure — and why the first move was to turn the campaigns off.Key Learnings:Why PMAX campaigns often stagnate after 3-4 monthsThe power of a 5-7 day PMAX "off period" to reset bidding algorithmsHow segmentation by product or audience unlocks better signal quality and performanceStrategic product feed enhancements that drive Shopping ROIThe myth of audience signals in PMAX and how to work around itHow scripts can provide campaign-level transparency across Google placementsHow a restructured PMAX approach delivered a 37% ROAS lift and 2.2x conversions for Benji SleepIf your Google Ads results are fading, this episode gives you a practical, tested playbook to turn things around.Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps00:00 – Why PMAX Campaigns Plateau After 3-4 Months02:05 – Common Pitfalls: CPC Drops and Irrelevant Traffic04:15 – How to Reset PMAX: Turn Off and Rebuild06:30 – Campaign Segmentation for Product & Audience Clarity08:45 – Overcoming Performance Spiral With Strategic Breakouts11:00 – The Myth of Audience Signals in PMAX13:00 – Strategic Feed Optimization and Supplemental Data15:00 – Campaign Structure: Before vs After (Benji Sleep Case Study)18:00 – Breaking Out Asset Groups vs Full Campaigns20:00 – ROAS Lift + Conversion Volume Gains21:20 – Using Scripts to Track PMAX Placements & AttributionHashtags#pmaxstrategy #googleadsoptimization #dtcpodcast #roasgrowth #performancemarketing #ecommercetips #mediaoptimization #pilothouse #googleadscampaigns #dtcbrands 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 505: How Pins and Aces Built a $25M Golf Brand with Limited Drops and Omni-Channel Expansion

  Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupInside the Growth of Pins and Aces: Scaling a Golf Lifestyle Brand with Nicklaus MertzToday on the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Nicklaus Mertz, founder of Pins and Aces, a golf brand that grew from a side project to a $25M+ powerhouse. Nick shares the step-by-step tactics that fueled their expansion, including limited-edition drops, a focus on profitability, live selling innovations, and the acquisition of Edel Golf.Key Moments:How Pins and Aces started with $6K and a headcover ideaBuilding a brand beyond Alibaba sourcingLaunching viral products like the Beer Sleeve and Liquor StickOmnichannel expansion: Retail + DTC synergyGrowing without raising outside capitalLeveraging community feedback to design new productsAcquiring Edel Golf to move into hardwareTakeaways for Entrepreneurs:Start small, iterate fast, and evolve from customer feedbackCommunity building beats traditional influencer marketingDrops are a sustainable engine for long-term growthData-informed product development with tools like ParticleDid you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps00:00 – How Pins and Aces Started from a $6K Side Hustle02:00 – Turning a DIY Golf Product into a Real Business08:00 – Building a Brand vs. Drop Shipping Products14:00 – Collaborations with South Park and Hey Dude Shoes19:00 – The Bud Light Collab That Changed Everything22:00 – Drops, Content Strategy, and Creating Community26:00 – Exploring Live Selling and Whatnot Platform31:00 – Scaling the Brand While Maintaining Profitability35:00 – Exit Strategy and Potential Strategic Buyers38:00 – Using Particle to Track Competitor PerformanceHashtags#dtcpodcast #pinsandaces #ecommercegrowth #golfbrand #founderstory #productdrops #liveshopping #influencermarketing #dtcmarketing #brandcollabs 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 504: 6 Reasons Why Your Meta Ads Aren't Scaling: Fix These Creative and Strategy Gap with Aves | AKNF

  Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupOn today's special solo episode of the DTC Podcast, Aves from Pilothouse shares a tactical breakdown of the most common — and costly — mistakes brands make in their paid social ad accounts. Based on years of auditing hundreds of accounts, Aves reveals exactly why many DTC businesses struggle to scale, and what to fix immediately.Key insights you’ll learn:Why balancing branded and UGC-style content is critical for a healthy ad account.How underutilized founder stories are hurting DTC brand performance.Why too much "random" content without strategy will plateau your growth.The critical importance of platform-specific editing and quick hooks.Why brand storytelling IS performance marketing in today’s DTC landscape.Takeaways for DTC founders and marketers:Start developing founder-driven content early — it scales with you.Build ads with both sales and brand identity in mind.Shorten your videos and frontload product clarity immediately.Always edit for placement — losing attention is losing money.Invest in building soul and identity into your ad library, not just clickbait.Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps:00:00 Common Creative Mistakes in Meta Ads02:10 Why Limited Creative Range Hurts Performance04:30 The Power of a Strong Founder Story07:00 Why Too Much Random Content Backfires09:20 Stop Using Long, Low-Impact Video Ads11:40 Editing for Specific Ad Placements is Non-Negotiable14:30 Why Soulless Ad Libraries Kill Your Brand17:00 Brand vs. Performance? They’re the SameHashtags:#MetaAdsTips #DTCMarketing #PerformanceCreative #FacebookAdsStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #CreativeStrategy #MarketingMistakes #FoundersStory #BrandMarketing #MediaBuying 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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• Bonus: Preparing Your DTC Brand for Acquisition: Lessons on the PE Path from Because Ventures

  Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn today’s DTC Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Horowitz, founder of Because Ventures, a private equity firm laser-focused on acquiring and scaling DTC brands doing $10M–$100M in revenue. Jeremy shares why VC funding often damages DTC brands and how PE can provide a more sustainable growth path for founders.https://because.ventureshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyhorowitz1/https://letsbuyabiz.xyz/subscribeKey Topics Covered:Why venture capital is usually a mismatch for DTC brandsHow PE firms like Because Ventures evaluate acquisition targetsThe #1 thing founders should do 6–12 months before sellingThe role of clean SOPs and financials in maximizing valuationHow WhatsApp marketing (through their acquisition of Coco AI) is the next SMS in EuropeBig Idea:VC is not designed for DTC brands; disciplined operations and a focus on profitable growth are the real success path.Timestamps00:00 - Top signals PE looks for when acquiring brands02:00 - Jeremy's journey from agency to SaaS exits to PE06:00 - What changed in the brand acquisition market since 202010:00 - Why VC isn't a great fit for DTC physical products14:00 - The dangers of scaling too fast with venture capital18:00 - How PE approaches growth differently from VC20:00 - Key traits of brands that are acquisition-ready24:00 - What founders should do 6–12 months before selling28:00 - The importance of industry benchmarks and P&L metrics30:00 - Inventory management, CAC payback, and repurchase rate32:00 - Inside Because Ventures’ first acquisition: Coco.aiHashtags#DTCgrowth #EcommerceAcquisition #PrivateEquity #FoundersJourney #VentureCapital #CocoAI #BrandExitStrategy #ShopifyApps #WhatsAppMarketing #CashFlowTips 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 503: Inside Shein’s $30B+ Global Fashion Machine: AI, Micro-Influencers, and On-Demand Manufacturing (LIVE from ShopTalk)

  Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Peter Pernot-Day, Global Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Shein, to explore the innovative strategies propelling Shein's global dominance in the fast fashion industry.Key Discussion Points:AI-Driven Supply Chain: How Shein utilizes artificial intelligence to optimize inventory management and forecast fashion trends, ensuring rapid response to market demands. Micro-Influencer Collaborations: The role of micro-influencers in Shein's marketing strategy and how these partnerships enhance brand reach and consumer engagement. Sustainability Initiatives: An examination of Shein's efforts to address environmental concerns and implement fair labor practices within its expansive supply chain. On-Demand Manufacturing: Insights into Shein's production model that starts with limited quantities to test consumer interest before scaling up, reducing waste and aligning with current fashion trends. Navigating Global Challenges: Strategies Shein employs to adapt to international trade policies and maintain its competitive edge in diverse markets.Join us for an in-depth conversation that reveals the intersection of technology, marketing innovation, and sustainability in Shein's approach to revolutionizing the fast fashion landscape.Timestamps:00:00 - How Shein Gamifies the App Experience02:15 - Shein's Approach to AI in E-Commerce04:45 - How Shein Uses Photo Search and Personalization07:00 - Shein’s Circularity and Sustainability Initiatives09:15 - How Shein Prepares for Global Economic Challenges11:40 - Leadership Lessons from Shein’s Corporate Affairs Leader14:00 - How Shein Encourages Serendipity at ShopTalkHashtags:#Shein #Ecommerce #AIEcommerce #Sustainability #CircularFashion #ShopTalk2025 #CustomerExperience #FashionInnovation #Leadership #DTCpodcast 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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