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 ...
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In Growth We Trust is a growth marketing podcast hosted by Yoann Pavy and Jake Mayell. Weekly guest interviews, plus shorter deep-dive episodes about online distribution, viral loops, network effects, content, and startup growth. Jake & Yoann started working together 10+ years ago doing Facebook Ads at first. Now they’re doing a podcast together. They love startups, growth, and marketing, so why not? Available everywhere, even on YouTube, like/comment/subscribe 🎧
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We Built Our Own Incrementality Testing Tool
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43:04After years of relying on expensive, limited solutions, we decided to build our own. In this episode of the Podcast, CTC’s VP of Ecommerce Strategy Luke Austin is joined by VP of Technology Kwa and Director of Data Steve Rekuc to unveil our brand new incrementality testing platform — now available to all CTC partners. We’ll break down: Why incremen…
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March Report Card: Did We Hit or Miss the Forecast
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21:29
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21:29How did our clients actually perform in March 2025? On this episode of the podcast, Taylor and Richard break down the latest performance scorecard across our client portfolio—revealing exactly how we stacked up against forecasted revenue, spend, and contribution margin goals. Spoiler: We beat margin expectations by +11.68%, but that’s just the begi…
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2025 Guide to Profitable META Media Buying
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53:35
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53:35Meta’s ad platform has changed—again. In this episode, we break down the exact strategies we’re using at Common Thread Collective to drive profitable growth for ecommerce brands in 2025. You’ll learn: Why cost caps alone won’t cut it anymore How we’re adapting bidding strategies to Meta’s new algorithm The role of creative diversification in target…
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Why 50 Brands Trust Our $5K Global Accelerator
18:24
18:24
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18:24What if you could get full funnel growth support, media buying, strategy, forecasting, creative direction, for just $5K/month on a month-to-month agreement? In this episode of the Podcast, Richard and Taylor break down the $5K Global Accelerator Program that’s helped over 50 seven-figure brands grow through one of the most volatile economic environ…
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How to Tailor Your Tariff Response: The 4-Part System
19:44
19:44
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19:44Tariffs are here—and they’re not hitting every brand the same. In this solo episode, Taylor walks through a critical 4 part framework designed to help ecommerce founders and operators craft the right response based on their unique balance sheet realities. Whether you’re cash rich with deep inventory or strapped for both, this episode will help you …
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If you’re waiting for things to “go back to normal” in ecommerce… stop. In this episode, Taylor and Richard break down why chaos is no longer the exception “it’s the rule” and what that means for how you run your brand. From unpredictable macro shifts to supply chain disruptions, stability is out. Adaptability is everything. We dive into the 7 core…
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Tariffs, Sentiment & Spending: What the Data Says About Q2
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20:41In this episode of the Podcast, Richard is joined by Steve Rekuc, our Director of Data, for a deep dive into what Q1 taught us — and what’s coming next. We’re breaking down the latest from our Direct to Consumer Confidence Index (DTCCI) and revealing what macroeconomic signals, consumer sentiment, and real brand performance tell us about the road a…
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Tariffs Are Here: We’re Offering Emergency Support
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6:05Emergency Update for Ecommerce Brands: Tariffs have arrived and they’re already impacting your bottom line. Costs are rising, margins shrinking, and uncertainty is high. But you’re not alone. In this special episode, Taylor Holiday (CEO, Common Thread Collective) breaks down the immediate impact of these tariffs and announces the CTC Tariff Relief …
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YouTube Ads: The Underestimated Channel Driving Real Growth Right Now
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44:08Are you overlooking YouTube ads in your marketing strategy? On today’s podcast, we’re breaking down why most brands are significantly underestimating YouTube and how it’s quietly becoming the hidden gem driving real, profitable growth for smart advertisers. Joined by Rachel Kwon (Head of Paid Search) and Tony Chopp (VP of Paid Media) from Common Th…
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This Broke the Internet: The ChatGPT Update That Changed Everything
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44:35The future of ad creative just changed forever. In this episode of the Podcast, we break down the latest ChatGPT model update that literally broke the internet — and why it’s the biggest shift in AI-generated creative since GPT-3.5. Jacob Posel joins to explain how this update unlocked a wave of AI ads so good… you can’t deny it anymore. From viral…
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The Four Biggest 6-figure Brand Struggles
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43:11
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43:11Are you stuck at six figures, unsure how to scale without burning your budget on expensive agencies or freelancers? You’re not alone. Most growing ecommerce brands face the same struggles—limited resources, information overload, and the stress of choosing the right growth strategies. In this episode of the podcast, Richard and Grant Zanini, VP of E…
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Meta’s Andromeda: The Biggest Shift in Facebook Ads Since iOS14
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31:03
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31:03Meta just flipped the script on media buying — and if you’re still running ads the old way, you’re already falling behind. In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, Taylor breaks down everything you need to know about Meta’s new AI-powered advertising engine: Andromeda. We’re talking about: The death of cost caps and the rise of AI optimiz…
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How D. Louise Went From Scrappy Start-Up To 8-Figure Jewelry Brand
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32:51In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we sit down with Jack Zamichides, CEO of D Louise, to explore the journey from a small, scrappy startup to a fast-growing jewelry brand on the path to eight figures. Key Topics Covered: Trusting the Process – How D Louise committed fully to CTC’s creative volume methodology — and saw results almost…
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Unbiased eCom Forecasting Starts with a Reality Check
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27:48
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27:48In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we’re diving into the crucial role of accurate forecasting in driving e-commerce growth — especially during challenging times. Inspired by our upcoming Sharpen Your Skills episode, this discussion unpacks why many brands struggle with overly optimistic forecasts and how an unbiased, data-driven for…
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How Taylor Holiday Views Influencer Marketing
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27:41In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we’re diving into influencer marketing and seeding—a foundational strategy that often gets overlooked in the rush to optimize ad accounts. This episode is a prelude to our new Sharpen Your Skills episode dropping tomorrow (Season 2, Episode 3) - which covers this even more in depth! Key Topics Cove…
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How Tecovas’ CMO Uses Product to Unlock New Markets
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59:45
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59:45This episode isn’t just about a viral Tecovas ad—it’s about the bigger picture of authentic marketing. We sit down with Krista Dalton, CMO of Tecovas, to break down the full story behind their marketing success. From understanding the customer to building the right product, finding the ideal distribution channels, and crafting memorable ads—this ep…
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We Ranked Every Employee—Here’s What Happened!
51:59
51:59
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51:59Ever wondered what would happen if you ranked every employee in your company? We did exactly that—and the results were eye-opening. In this episode of the Podcast, we dive deep into the Key Employee Index, our custom-built employee scorecard that tracks performance, impact, and cultural fit at Common Thread Collective. Our VP of Employee Developmen…
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Measurement Mistakes That are Costing You Millions
27:20
27:20
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27:20If your paid media feels less effective than ever, your measurement system might be the real problem. Many 8-9 figure ecommerce brands are unknowingly starving their own growth because they’re looking at the wrong data. As brands expand beyond DTC into Amazon, retail, and omnichannel marketing, traditional metrics like MER and ncROAS no longer tell…
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The Tecovas Ad That Broke DTC Twitter (And Why It Worked)
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25:47
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25:47DTC Twitter lost it over this Tecovas ad—but was the outrage justified? In this episode, we break down the viral controversy sparked by Taylor Holiday’s tweet, why so many misunderstood the ad’s real impact, and what it reveals about the future of growth marketing. Was this ad truly a “bad” direct response play, or was it actually a genius move tha…
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The Death of Ecommerce Jobs? AI vs. Humans Explained
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37:51
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37:51AI is rapidly changing the ecommerce landscape, automating tasks once handled by humans and raising the question—are ecommerce jobs at risk? In this episode, we dive deep into the future of AI in ecommerce, breaking down how AI is transforming everything from inventory management to ad buying, and whether human expertise can still compete. Will AI …
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The Purple Accountant: The Secret Weapon Your Business Needs
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30:57
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30:57Most ecommerce brands are bleeding cash without even realizing it. Margins are shrinking, competition is fiercer than ever, and the game has changed. But there’s one secret weapon that can turn the tide: accountants who understand marketing.In this video, we break down why financial professionals need to step across the bridge and integrate marketi…
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DTC is Dead… Or Is It? The Rebirth That’s Coming in 2025
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46:28
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46:28The last few years have been brutal for DTC brands. From the COVID boom to the Ozempic era, skyrocketing acquisition costs, vanishing venture capital, and economic shifts have crushed many ecommerce businesses. But here’s the twist—2025 could be the best year in DTC history. In this video, we break down the evolution of DTC brands, why so many have…
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Compass Explained: The Next Evolution in Creative Strategy
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36:58
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36:58Struggling to connect your creative strategy with financial planning? Meet Compass, the tool that automates and streamlines ad creative planning like never before. In this episode, we break down how Compass revolutionizes the way brands develop, manage, and scale their creative assets—seamlessly integrating with your media and financial strategy. I…
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Introducing Compass: The AI-Powered System for Smarter Ads
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35:20
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35:20Struggling to scale your ecommerce ads? Spending too much time guessing what works? MeetCompass – the creative operating system designed to take the guesswork out of ad strategy! WithCompass, you’ll get: Data-Driven Ad Planning – Know exactly how many ads you need each month AI-Powered Creative Insights – Discover winning audience, offer, and angle…
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Margins Are Shrinking, Debt Is Rising – What’s Next for Ecom?
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56:07
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56:07Margins are shrinking, debt is rising, and ecommerce brands are feeling the squeeze. In this episode of the Podcast, we dive deep into the financial realities facing DTC brands in 2025. Is the ecommerce game still worth playing? Or has the landscape shifted in ways that make profitability harder than ever? Joining Taylor are Lio from Finaloop and D…
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Why Ecommerce Is About to Get Even Harder (Here’s How to Survive)
36:47
36:47
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36:47Ecommerce is facing major challenges in 2025—rising ad costs, AI disruptions, and now, new tariffs. If you’re running a brand, you need to know what’s coming and how to adapt before it’s too late. In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we break down: The biggest threats to e-commerce right now How AI is reshaping the workforce and busin…
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2024 Was About Surviving – 2025 Is About Winning
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30:342024 was all about getting the fundamentals right—fixing tracking, managing costs, and ensuring brands could survive in a tough market. But 2025? It’s time to WIN. In this episode, we break down the strategy behind breaking the model—moving beyond predictable growth and pushing into new frontiers of scale. Luke Austin, VP of Ecommerce Strategy at C…
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The Truth About Incrementality: Are You Measuring Your Ads Wrong?
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33:20
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33:20Are you really measuring your ads the right way? In this episode we dive deep into the world of incrementality testing—what it is, why it’s so important, and why most brands struggle to operationalize it effectively. We break down the biggest mistakes marketers make when it comes to ad measurement and how to avoid them. Learn the secrets to buildin…
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Secrets to Scaling Big: Inside Born Primitive
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55:32
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55:32In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the incredible growth story of Born Primitive, the ecommerce brand that has redefined what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. Founder Bear Handlon shares how the company went from selling a single product out of a garage to becoming a multimillion-dollar powerhouse in apparel, fitnes…
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🔮 From 0 to 26k Followers on Linkedin using AI - Boardy Goes Viral
29:36
29:36
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29:36In this episode, we kick off Series 2 of our podcast with a discussion on recent events and innovations in the tech and marketing world. We aim to keep our episodes slightly shorter this season, focusing on insightful discussions and occasional guest appearances. This week is all about the new viral Linkedin AI sensation, Boardy. Chapters 📌 00:00:0…
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The Missing Link in Your Ad Strategy: Creator Content That Works
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24:11
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24:11Discover the key to transforming your ad strategy with creator-driven content that delivers real results. In this episode, Richard and Adrianne reveal how brands can integrate high-quality creator content into their campaigns to maximize performance and ROI. We’ll break down: Why most ads fall flat and how to fix them. The importance of properly br…
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Say Goodbye to TikTok? The Truth About the Possible Ban
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19:40
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19:40Is TikTok on the verge of being banned in the United States? In this episode of the Podcast, we dive into the Supreme Court hearing that could determine TikTok’s future and its potential impact on the ecommerce industry. What does this mean for advertisers, brands, and creators who rely on TikTok as a platform? We’ll break down: The reasons behind …
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How We Forecast Millions in Revenue for DTC Brands
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7:58
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7:58Discover the step-by-step process behind CTC’s Prophit System, our proven method used to forecast millions in revenue for leading DTC brands. In this video, we dive into the daily workflows, data integration techniques, and forecasting models that drive real results. From aligning 35+ critical business metrics to creating actionable insights for gr…
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Why Product Development is the Future of Ecommerce Growth
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29:35
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29:35Discover why product development is the ultimate growth engine for ecommerce brands in today’s competitive market. In this episode of the Podcast, we talk how creative, story-driven product development can fuel demand, elevate your brand, and revolutionize your marketing strategy. Learn how innovative ideas, like turning a baseball sliding mitt int…
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Brands That Win in 2025 Will Do THIS (Are You Ready?)
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43:11
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43:11What separates the brands that thrive from the ones that struggle in 2025? It all comes down to one thing—strategy. In this video, we dive deep into the key elements that the most successful brands are mastering to dominate the ecommerce landscape this year. From crafting compelling brand stories to building cohesive marketing plans, we’ll show you…
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Get ready for 2025 with 25 bold predictions for the future of ecommerce! From the rise of AI in media buying to the transformation of product development into the ultimate growth strategy, this episode dives deep into the trends and changes set to reshape the industry. Learn why automation will dominate, what threatens Shopify, and how brands can s…
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2025 Ecom Planning: The Framework That Could 10x Your Profit
1:12:02
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1:12:02This episode is brought to you by: Finaloop: https://www.finaloop.com/ Are you ready to crush your 2025 ecommerce goals? In this video, we reveal the PROPHIT System – a proven framework designed to help ecommerce brands create accurate, data-driven financial and marketing plans. Discover how to: Bridge the gap between what’s likely to occur and wha…
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🔮 2024 Wrapped - Celebrating Growth, Marketing, Memes, and New Beginnings
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26:17
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26:17In this episode, our hosts reunite after a four-month hiatus, which was originally intended to be just a one-month break. They reflect on their time away, sparked by receiving their Spotify Wrapped for creators, which showcased some impressive stats and motivated them to get back to recording. The episode serves as a wrap-up for the year, where the…
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Meet PAM: The Profit Allocation Model Revolutionizing Ad Budgets
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38:09
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38:09Discover the ultimate tool for optimizing your ecommerce ad budgets! In this episode, we introduce PAM—the Profit Allocation Model—a game-changing framework developed by the experts at Common Thread Collective. PAM isn’t just a tool; it’s a revolutionary system that ensures your ad spend is perfectly aligned with your profitability goals. We’ll wal…
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Unlocking Profit: The Hardest (But Most Important) Part of Scaling
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24:34
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24:34Scaling your ecommerce business is exciting—but are you unknowingly leaving profit on the table? In this episode of the Playbook Podcast, Richard and Taylor dive into the hardest (but most critical) part of scaling: achieving clarity and alignment around your financial metrics. Discover why the Prophit System is the ultimate tool for cutting throug…
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2025 Starts Here + BFCM Data You Need to See
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17:33
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17:33Get the inside scoop on the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) trends and what they mean for the future of ecommerce! In this episode of the podcast, Richard and Taylor discuss early BFCM data, revealing surprising growth trends, shifting customer behaviors, and what it all means for your 2025 strategy. Here’s what we cover: How BFCM sales…
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FINAL WARNING: Your Black Friday Strategy is Missing THIS!
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28:32
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28:32Are you ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Time is running out, and your Q4 success depends on taking action NOW. In this episode, we reveal the 5 MUST DO strategies to dominate the busiest shopping season of the year. What You'll Learn: How to craft the perfect Black Friday offer that stands out in a crowded market. Why you MUST adjust your …
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The Truth About AppLovin: Should You Shift Your Budget NOW?
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17:52
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17:52Is AppLovin the ecommerce advertising breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for? With claims that it’s almost as good as Facebook Ads—if not better—this mobile in game ad platform has quickly become the talk of the industry. But is it worth your time, energy, and budget? In this episode of the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, Richard and Taylor pull back …
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Is This the Beginning of a DTC Comeback?: State of the Industry
29:48
29:48
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29:48Dive into the latest insights from the ecommerce industry with our October State of Industry Report! Join Taylor, Steve, Jeremiah, and Yarden as they break down October’s key data trends, highlight growth opportunities, and share surprising insights about ad performance, consumer sentiment, and what it all means for Black Friday and beyond. In this…
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How to Turn Amazon Into a DTC Profit Powerhouse
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23:57
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23:57Struggling to balance your Amazon sales with your DTC (direct-to-consumer) growth? In this episode, we reveal how to transform Amazon from a competitor into a crucial ally for boosting your entire ecommerce business. Join Richard and Taylor as they break down why Amazon and DTC should no longer be siloed, and how incorporating Amazon into your fore…
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How We Went from 5 to 30 Clients in 4 Months - We Need More Talent
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25:52
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25:52Welcome back to the Podcast! On this episode Taylor is joined by Joy Sharma, to discuss the explosive rise of the CTC Global Accelerator – scaling from 5 to 30 clients in just 4 months. With demand through the roof, we’re now on a mission to find exceptional talent worldwide! Highlights: How the Accelerator delivers predictable, profitable growth f…
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What Finance Got Wrong About Revenue Forecasting (and How Marketers Can Fix It!)
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20:39
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20:39Get the Prophit System: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/ecommerce-strategy In this episode of the podcast, we explore the critical disconnect between finance-driven revenue forecasting and the actual marketing actions that generate revenue. Richard and Taylor jump deep into how finance teams often miss the mark when predicting revenue growth—becau…
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The Black Friday Budget Mistake That Could Tank Your Monthly Sales
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9:18
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9:18Are you making the critical Black Friday budget mistake that could sabotage your entire month’s revenue? In this episode of the Podcast, we talk about why underspending on Black Friday could be the biggest misstep for your November sales and how to avoid it. Taylor breaks down the importance of concentrated spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday…
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WARNING: Election Week Could Sink Your Ad Performance!
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14:08In this special Halloween episode Taylor and host Richard dive into the spooky truth behind Election Week’s impact on ad campaigns. With an unprecedented wave of political spending flooding digital platforms, advertisers need to prepare for shifting CPMs, reduced conversions, and increased competition—especially in swing states. From understanding …
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Want Profits? Here Are the Exact Steps to Ecommerce Success
57:05
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57:05Are you struggling to keep your ecommerce business profitable? In this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into Common Thread Collective’s Profit System—the tried-and-true method helping ecommerce brands achieve predictable, consistent growth. Join host Richard and our sales experts, Matt and Peter, as they walk us through the key steps to buildin…
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