Think your email program is performing just fine? You might want to take another look.
In this episode, Jordan lifts the hood on a real (anonymized) account to show how misleading metrics, privacy opens, and bot clicks can make an email program look healthy when it’s actually underperforming.
You’ll learn how to spot the signs of deliverability decay, interpret your data accurately, and understand what’s really happening inside your email engine, so you can turn false positives into real performance.
#EmailMarketing #Deliverability #EcommerceMarketing #CustomerRetention #EmailStrategy #RetentionMarketing #DTC #MarketingPodcast #DigitalMarketing #LifecycleMarketing #DataDrivenMarketing #Pilothouse #TWBERP #EmailOptimization
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – How inbox privacy changes hide real performance issues
06:00 – Bounce rates, open rates, and what they actually tell you
10:00 – When high click rates mean your emails aren’t reaching anyone
12:00 – Klaviyo benchmarks vs. reality: the top-performer gap
18:00 – The silent destroyer: misconfigured flows and false metrics
26:00 – How to audit your own account (and what the data really means)
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
What actually determines whether your emails land in the inbox or the spam folder?
In this episode, Jordan Gordon sits down with Benny Rubin, founder and CEO of Senders.co, for a deep dive into the mechanics of deliverability.
They break down how domain age, subdomains, and warmup patterns affect reputation, why engagement ratios matter more than send volume, and what Gmail and Microsoft really look for when evaluating your sends.
00:00 – Introduction and Why Deliverability Matters
02:00 – Meet Benny Rubin of Senders.co
07:10 – Domain Age, Warmup, and Subdomains
15:22 – Cold Email, Ratios, and Reputation
23:14 – Why Open Rates Lie
33:27 – Fingerprints, Frequency, and Testing
45:03 – Fixing Deliverability at Scale
#EmailMarketing #Deliverability #RetentionMarketing #Klaviyo #InboxPlacement #EcommerceMarketing #DTC #MarketingStrategy #EmailOptimization #CustomerRetention #MarketingOperations #Pilothouse #SendersCo #TWBERP
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Every brand uses a pop-up... but most leave serious revenue on the table.
In this episode, Jordan sits down with Shaan Arora, founder of Alia, to break down the real pop-up levers that drive conversion: copy, timing, and segmentation.
You’ll learn what 150 million monthly pop-up views reveal about what actually moves the needle, how AI testing is changing optimization, and why design isn’t the difference-maker you think it is.
Plus, the Pilothouse team’s early experiments with Alia (including one that 5x’d a welcome flow) and where Shaan sees the future of email, SMS, and personalization heading.
#EmailMarketing #Retention #Ecommerce #PopUps #CRO #ConversionOptimization #DTC #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #AI #MarketingStrategy #CustomerAcquisition #CustomerRetention #EmailDesign #MarketingAutomation #ListGrowth #Shopify #RetentionMarketing #GrowthMarketing #MarketingData #Alia #Pilothouse #TWBERP
00:00 – Intro: Why every brand uses pop-ups—and why most get them wrong
01:31 – Shaan Arora (Alia) joins to break down what really moves conversions
03:56 – How Alia grew from 0 to 2,500 brands and 150M monthly pop-up views
09:07 – The real levers: copy, timing, and segmentation
11:05 – Testing, AI optimization, and why design matters less than you think
14:36 – Authenticity, AI, and the future of email & SMS
17:56 – Smart offers and one-to-one pop-up personalization
24:40 – Shaan’s top tips: timing, mystery offers, and full-screen testing
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Your website has just two minutes to make money, literally.
In this episode, Jordan Gordon breaks down the four critical stages of the website purchase funnel and how to keep visitors moving from “just looking” to “ready to buy.”
You’ll learn:
• What needs to happen in the first two seconds of every session
• How to prove your site is trustworthy in under 15 seconds
• The simple formula to reduce bounces and boost conversions • How to find and fix your site’s biggest “choke points” using heatmaps
#CRO #EcommerceMarketing #DTC #EmailMarketing #Retention #WebsiteOptimization #ConversionRateOptimization #MarketingPodcast
00:00 — Introduction and why average session time matters
03:31 — The 4 stages of the website conversion funnel
04:01 — Stage 1–2: Hook visitors fast (load speed, visuals, messaging)
07:57 — Stage 3–4: Build trust + convert in under 2 minutes
21:32 — Finding “choke points” with heatmaps and testing
25:51 — Final takeaways: simplicity wins, every second counts
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
It’s crunch time.
Jordan Gordon breaks down a no-BS audit you can run this week to see whether your email program is actually inboxing, or just propped up by Apple Privacy opens and bot clicks.
From ISP splits (Gmail vs. iCloud) to the “ladder” segmentation test (0–30 / 31–60 / 61–90+ days), Jordan shows how to spot false signals, clean up your sends, and shift from campaign volume to revenue-driving automations before Black Friday.
What you’ll learn:
#emailmarketing #retentionmarketing #ecommercegrowth #deliverability #klaviyo #customerretention #dtcpodcast #marketingops #inboxing #emailstrategy #q4prep #blackfriday2025 #ecommercemarketing #emailsegmentation #automations #pilothouse #dtcbrands #marketingpodcast #growthmarketing #digitalmarketing
00:00 — Introduction
01:32 — Talk Turkey: The Q4 email gut check begins
05:53 — The deadly combo: Increasing audience and frequency at once
10:13 — The risk of scaling sends without the right tools
12:12 — How to run an ISP-level audit (Gmail vs. iCloud)
14:07 — The Ladder Test: Find out who’s really seeing your emails
18:58 — The bot-click trap and false engagement signals
34:56 — Less is more: Shrink sends, grow deliverability and revenue
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcastSubscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcastSubscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Black Friday isn’t about clever tricks; it’s about doing the basics better (and not tanking your sender reputation while you’re at it).
In this episode, Jordan breaks down The Pilothouse Way to win Black Friday: how to increase send volume without burning your list, why “double-tapping non-openers” is a fatal mistake, and the counterintuitive truth about who actually buys and when.
You’ll also learn:
Why boring subject lines outperform “creative” ones during BFCM
How to structure every email assuming it’s the only one your subscriber opens
The simple post–Black Friday tactic that turns one-time buyers into repeat customers
#EmailMarketing #BlackFriday #CyberMonday #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #CustomerRetention #EmailStrategy #Deliverability #MarketingTips #DTC #DigitalMarketing #MarketingPodcast #Pilothouse #TWBERP #EcommerceGrowth #MarketingStrategy #LifecycleMarketing #EmailAutomation #BFCM #PerformanceMarketing
0:00 — Introduction
2:00 — What Actually Drives Results
3:00 — Cadence and Frequency: How Much Is Too Much?
5:00 — The Double-Tap Disaster
6:00 — How Buyers Actually Behave (and Why It Matters)
8:00 — The Boring Secret to Black Friday Success
13:00 — Turn Black Friday Buyers Into December Buyers
19:00 — The “Saucy” 30% Repeat Purchase Tactic
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this episode, Jordan breaks down exactly why it works. From full-bleed, image-driven emails that feel like window shopping to seamless category pages that reinforce continuity, UO shows how to connect inbox to onsite in a way that drives real platform revenue.
You’ll learn:
Why simple, image-first templates can outperform copy-heavy emails
How UO ties email campaigns to category pages for frictionless shopping
Smart discovery tactics like “shop by fit” and complete-the-look recs
What other brands can steal from UO’s approach to retention
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #UrbanOutfitters #DTC #DigitalMarketing #CustomerRetention #EmailDesign #EcommerceStrategy #MarketingPodcast #LifecycleMarketing #Klaviyo #Pilothouse #EmailStrategy #BrandBreakdown #MarketingTips
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:00 Platform revenue & landing page continuity
00:04:00 Subject lines, frequency, preheader text
00:07:00 Sale emails & scalable templates
00:09:00 Full-bleed “window shopping” email design
00:24:00 Complete-the-look recs on PDPs
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this episode of The World’s Best Email Retention Podcast, Jordan explores a list growth approach that looks appealing on the surface but can create hidden risks for your email program.
He explains how these tactics affect deliverability and reporting, and what to focus on instead to keep your channel strong heading into Q4.
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #Deliverability #ListGrowth #EcommerceMarketing #MarketingPodcast #DigitalMarketing #CustomerRetention #EmailStrategy #Q4Marketing
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
We’re back with Part 2 of Email Like a Billion Dollar Brand on a Five-Figure Budget.
In this episode of the World’s Best Email & Retention Podcast, Jordan digs into the playbook billion-dollar brands use, and shows how to apply it without the billion-dollar resources. You’ll learn:
👉 Subscribe for more practical strategies to keep your list engaged and your retention revenue flowing.
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #CustomerRetention #EmailStrategy #LifecycleMarketing #MarketingPodcast #EmailSegmentation #ABTesting #EcommercePodcast
00:00 – Introduction
01:30 – Launch every campaign element as a test
04:29 – What to test first: triggers, cadence, subject lines & more
10:23 – How bad segmentation wrecks inboxing
13:49 – The simple six-segment model for smarter targeting
22:35 – Using product segmentation to drive hero sales
25:59 – Created date segmentation: this year’s vs. last year’s business
31:22 – Base analysis and the truth about repeat buyers
36:44 – Key takeaways on testing, frequency & segmentation
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this episode, Jordan shares how to build a high-leverage email program that acts like a billion-dollar engine, even on a lean budget.
You’ll learn:
Perfect for entrepreneurs, marketers, and operators who want to make email their most profitable channel.
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #LifecycleMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #DTCMarketing #DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #EmailAutomation #CustomerRetention #OwnedMedia #GrowthMarketing #MarketingPodcast #BillionDollarBrand #EmailTips #MarketingPlaybook #Klaviyo #Shopify #EmailStrategy #MarketingGrowth #EcommerceTips
00:00 Introduction: Why email is the cheapest customer channel
00:05 Big brands, free traffic, and push-button revenue
00:11 Core email models: fashion, Subscribe & Save, single-SKU
00:20 Buy-online vs buy-in-store strategies
00:23 The Awareness Table: shifting from paid to owned
00:36 Automating like a billion-dollar brand
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In Part 2 of our American Eagle vs. Everlane breakdown, we shift focus to Everlane. Jordan Gordon dives into how the DTC-first brand approaches email and onsite strategy compared to AE’s revenue-driven program.
From minimalist design choices to refined upsell tactics, we explore how Everlane uses email as a brand-building tool while American Eagle leans on volume to hit quarterly numbers.
You’ll learn:
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #LifecycleMarketing #EmailStrategy #CustomerRetention #Retention #BrandBuilding #RevenueGrowth #BrandVsRevenue #EcommerceStrategy #AmericanEagle #Everlane #DTC #DirectToConsumer #Ecommerce #TWBERP #DTCPodcast #MarketingPodcast #EcommercePodcast
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:00 - Brand vs. Revenue
00:03:00 - Everlane’s DTC Reality
00:06:00 - Subject Lines & Preheaders
00:09:00 - Short Subject Lines
00:13:00 - Minimalist Email Design
00:20:00 - Artistic Visuals
00:28:00 - Final Takeaways
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this episode, Jordan Gordon from Pilothouse breaks down how these two apparel giants approach email, onsite creative, and retention strategy. From American Eagle’s triple-tap sends and maximalist promos to Everlane’s minimalist subject lines and brand positioning, we explore what actually works and what’s just noise.
👉 Listen in to uncover:
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #DTCMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #DigitalMarketing
#AmericanEagle #Everlane #InboxWars #CustomerRetention
#EcommerceGrowth #BrandStrategy #MarketingStrategy #CustomerExperience #MarketingPodcast
00:00 – Retention is the cheapest growth lever
02:00 – American Eagle vs. Everlane: framing the matchup
05:00 – Celebrity campaigns: hype, sales, and stock price
08:00 – Market cap & trading-range reality check
13:00 – Everlane’s DTC-first retention edge
16:00 – Subject line strategy: % off vs. $35 anchor
21:00 – Email frequency & inboxing risks
27:00 – Onsite teardown: homepage, pop-ups, and PDP misses
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
We’re digging back into the AKNF archive for this classic session of Retention Bootcamp. In this episode, Jordan and Eric break down the welcome experience, from merchandising to education to lifestyle content, and show you how to craft a sequence that drives first purchases, shortens time-to-buy, and boosts 30-day purchase rates.
If you’ve been leaning too hard on coupons or sending “one and done” welcomes, this replay will give you a proven framework for building sequences that actually sell.
#EmailMarketing #CustomerRetention #WelcomeSeries #RetentionBootcamp #LifecycleMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #DTCRetention #DTCGrowth #EcommerceEmail #ShopifyMarketing #MarketingStrategy #DigitalMarketing
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:03:00 – The 4-Email Welcome Framework
00:06:00 – Coupons vs. Brand Promise: Getting the Balance Right
00:13:00 – Finding the Right Cadence (Daily vs. Every Other Day)
00:14:00 – Educational Emails That Build Trust
00:17:00 – Lifestyle Content: Let Them See Their Life With Your Product
00:21:00 – Testing Frequency & Handling Opt-Outs
00:26:00 – Metrics That Matter: Time-to-Buy vs. 30-Day Purchase Rate
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Think your browse abandonment email is doing the job? Think again.
In this episode, Jordan breaks down the only browse abandon flow you’ll ever need—from trigger to send timing, segmentation, and dynamic content strategy—so you stop leaving easy revenue on the table.
You’ll learn:
How to time emails to hug buying intent without feeling pushy
The 5 dynamic merchandising types that actually drive clicks (and which to avoid)
Why subject lines are the secret to higher on-page conversion, not just opens
How to turn a “maybe later” shopper into a customer without discounting too soon
If you’ve got a weak, one-and-done browse abandon, this is your blueprint for building a revenue machine that runs on autopilot.
#EmailMarketing #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceTips #EcommerceGrowth #MarketingAutomation #MarketingStrategy #CustomerRetention #ConversionRateOptimization #EcommerceStrategy #EmailAutomation #CustomerEngagement #EcomTips #ShopifyStores #EmailDesign #EmailFlows #AbandonedCart #LifecycleMarketing #RetentionMarketing #DTCGrowth #EcommerceConversions #BrowseAbandon #AbandonmentEmail #BrowseRecovery #EmailFlowsThatConvert #RetentionEmail #CustomerLifecycle #Klaviyo #KlaviyoFlows #EcommerceRetention #EmailOptimization #TriggeredEmails #LifecycleEmailMarketing #RetentionTactics #RetentionRevenue #FlowOptimization #EmailRevenue #DTCEmail #DTCStrategies
00:00 – Introduction
00:55 – The #1 mistake brands make with browse abandon emails
04:12 – Trigger logic that catches shoppers before they’re gone for good
08:47 – The “20 minutes + 8 hours” timing rule for maximum intent
13:15 – Why your subject line impacts revenue more than open rates
20:50 – Dynamic merchandising types that actually drive clicks
27:45 – Funnel Flusher: the last-chance email that recovers lost revenue
35:40 – The “no prices in email” rule that saves you from costly mistakes
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Need to know—fast—whether your funnel’s working? In this episode, Jordan shares the exact system he used to audit 100+ ecommerce sites in just two days.
It’s a crash course in post-click performance: the 7 key metrics that tell you if your site is converting, retaining revenue, and setting you up for repeat purchases.
You’ll learn:
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Purpose of the Metrics Framework
02:00 Moving to Port Alberni and Merging CRO with Email Retention
04:00 Grouping Accounts by Business Model and Funnel Benchmarks
06:00 Key Metrics Overview: From Load Time to Klaviyo Revenue
12:00 Real-World Use Case for Assessing Site Performance
16:00 Interpreting Cart Add and Conversion Rate Benchmarks
22:00 Discount, Return, and Completion Rate Analysis
28:00 Klaviyo Revenue Attribution Explained
34:00 Meta and Google’s Role in Your Post-Click Metrics
44:00 Qualitative Site Walkthrough: Homepage to Checkout
Hashtags:
#Ecommerce #RetentionMarketing #CustomerJourney #FunnelOptimization #ConversionRateOptimization #EmailMarketing #Klaviyo #CRO #Benchmarking #PostClickMetrics #DataDrivenMarketing #EcomAnalytics #TWBERP #WorldsBestEmailRetentionPodcast #MarketingPodcast #DTCMarketing
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this follow-up to our ecosystems deep dive, Jordan breaks down how a strong retention system—email, SMS, and CRO—can keep revenue flowing even when acquisition slows.
You’ll learn how to measure your persistent revenue ecosystem, track key funnel stages (from new address to repeat buyer), and spot the hidden ROI of brand equity.
Plus: real data, cohort math, and a reminder that retention is a methodology, not a channel.
Timestamps:
00:00 Customer retention as a growth strategy
02:00 What is the persistent revenue ecosystem?
05:00 Why ecosystems must be multi-channel
09:00 Understanding your retention funnel
13:00 New vs repeat buyer data deep dive
20:00 Real-world brand example: cutting top-of-funnel spend
23:00 Turning new addresses into repeat buyers
25:00 Final thoughts on persistent revenue strategies
Hashtags:
#EmailMarketing #CustomerRetention #EcommerceGrowth #LifecycleMarketing #RetentionMarketing #DigitalEcosystems #MarketingStrategy #DTCBrands #RevenueOptimization #EmailStrategy #CRO #SMSMarketing #MarketingFunnels #BrandEquity #MarketingPodcast #TWBERP #Pilothouse #DTCNetwork
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Why do so many fashion brands use the exact same email template? In this episode, Jordan Gordon unpacks the rise of bland, minimalist design in email marketing AND makes the case for bold, expressive, brand-driven creative.
From black-and-white hero shots to transparent CTAs, we break down why inbox sameness is suffocating creativity, and how maximalist design can reignite brand recall, retention, and revenue.
If you want your emails to stand out, inspire, and convert, this one’s for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Pilothouse’s Retention Philosophy
02:00 Why Every Brand Is Using the Same Email Template
07:00 The Real Purpose of Campaign Emails
12:00 Adding Beauty to the Inbox Through Design
18:00 The Advantage of Small Brands in Email Creativity
25:00 Maximalism in Email: NBA's Bold Approach
29:00 Final Thoughts on Brand Recall and Free Traffic
Hashtags:
#EmailMarketing #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #DTCMarketing #EmailDesign #BrandStrategy #MarketingDesign #CustomerRetention #MarketingPodcast #InboxInspiration #DigitalBranding #MinimalismVsMaximalism #CreativeMarketing
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Most brands look at their global conversion rate and panic—but what if that number doesn’t actually mean what you think it does?
In this episode, Jordan sits down with Evan O’Gorman, former head of CRO at Pilothouse, to talk about why conversion rate alone is a misleading success metric—and what to focus on instead if you want to drive real profit.
They cover:
✅ How traffic source and intent shape your funnel
✅ Why retention plays a bigger role in CRO than you think
✅ Common mistakes brands make when optimizing their site
✅ The importance of buyer segmentation, bundling, and LTV
✅ How to align ad, email, and site strategy for long-term growth
If you care about profitable growth, this one’s for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Why Global Conversion Rate is Misleading
03:00 Full Funnel CRO: Beyond Just Website Testing
07:00 Breaking Down Traffic Source Impact on Conversion
13:00 Time to Purchase and Retargeting Strategies
21:00 Optimizing AOV with Rebuy and Klaviyo
28:00 Aligning CRO and Retention for Maximum Profit
33:00 Why Optimizing Bottom-of-Funnel Impacts Your Entire Business
Hashtags:
#CRO #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #DTCGrowth #ConversionRateOptimization #FullFunnelMarketing #CustomerRetention #ShopifyOptimization #EmailMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #EcomTips #DTCBrand #MarketingPodcast #GrowthMarketing #EcommercePodcast #AOV #LTV #MarketingStrategy #Pilothouse
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
In this episode, Jordan breaks down the world of offsite email capture tools: how they use fingerprinting to add contacts without a direct opt-in, why they can be a top source of spam complaints, and how brands are using them to unlock real revenue.
You’ll learn:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Why retention beats acquisition
02:00 - How these list growth tools work
06:00 - The risks of spam complaints
12:00 - Attribution vs. actual revenue
18:00 - Segmentation strategies to protect sender reputation
21:00 - When list growth tools are actually worth it
Hashtags:
#EmailMarketing #ListGrowth #RetentionMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #Deliverability #MarketingTools #Fingerprinting #SpamComplaints #DTCMarketing #CustomerRetention #EmailGrowth #MarketingStrategy #Pilothouse #DTCBrands #MarketingPodcast
Work with Pilothouse: https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast
Subscribe to DTC: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/
Listen to DTC Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast
Your ecommerce brand isn’t just running campaigns—it’s running an ecosystem.
In this episode, Jordan breaks down the three interconnected digital ecosystems every brand relies on:
🧱 The Persistent Revenue Ecosystem
💰 The Advertising Revenue Ecosystem
📣 The Brand Awareness Ecosystem
Learn how they interact, how to measure them, and what happens when one breaks down. From campaign strategy and CRO to email flows and brand impressions, this is the foundational episode that ties it all together.
If you’ve ever wondered why your growth feels stuck—or why your ROAS is slipping despite strong creative—this episode will show you where to look.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro and Why Email & Retention Matters
02:00 Rethinking the Marketing Funnel as an Ecosystem
08:00 The Persistent Revenue Ecosystem Explained
17:00 Why Campaigns Aren’t for Revenue
27:00 The Role of Your Established Audience
30:00 What Makes Advertising Revenue Ecosystems Work
36:00 Building Brand Awareness Through Email
44:00 Testing and CRO for Homepage vs. PDP
47:00 The Full Ecosystem Recap
Hashtags:
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