In the debut of The DTC Hotline, Richard Gaffin is joined by Tony “The Chopper” Chopp (VP of Paid Media) and Luke “The Weatherman” Austin (VP of eCommerce Strategy) to take real questions from eComm operators and Admission members—no fluff, just unfiltered answers.

They tackle:

• Why your Meta cost caps aren’t spending (and what to do about it)

• How much creative is really “a lot” in today’s ad environment

• The best tools for competitor research and ad spying

• What to do when LTV is low and repeat purchases are rare

• When to launch a new campaign vs. just adding creatives

• Why AI is more valuable for strategy than production

• The truth about when (or if) eCommerce is “getting better”Call, text, or listen in—this is where your DTC questions get answered in real time.

Interested in Admission?

Learn more at https://www.youradmission.co/

Call or text us: 866-DTC-2263

Email: [email protected]

Explore the Prophit System: https://prophitsystem.com

As brands approach the $1M–$10M revenue range, they often find themselves stuck—still hustling, but with slower growth and rising costs. That’s where CTC’s Global Accelerator comes in. In this episode, Richard Gaffin is joined by Joy Sharma and Jan Almuni to share the blueprint for how seven-figure brands break through to eight.They reveal the step-by-step playbook used across dozens of brands in the Accelerator program—and why the secret to scaling isn’t one big move, but the right next move at the right time.You’ll learn:- Why creative volume is a non-negotiable—and how to build it cost-effectively- How the “two-and-two” marketing calendar framework drives consistent growth- What landing page testing can teach you about offers, personas, and real incrementality- Why retention isn’t a backend problem—it’s baked into every step of the growth journeyShow Notes:Get your FREE mystery shopping report from Stord—compare your CX against two competitors:https://stord.link/mysteryExplore the Prophit System: https://prophitsystem.comHave a question for the podcast?Email us at [email protected]

In this episode of the E-Commerce Playbook Podcast, Taylor Holiday and Richard Gaffin unpack the surprising success of last week’s episode—and explore what it reveals about content that actually resonates.What about the convo with Taylor and Andrew led to such a positive response?Turns out, the answer has less to do with tactics—and everything to do with time, unique perspective, and story.If you’re trying to build content that lasts (not just goes viral), this one’s for you.

• Ready to solve your influencer strategy?

• Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com

• The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.
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Book your strategy demo at https://www.getsaral.com/demo

After months of speculation, testing, and internal debate, CTC put Meta’s new Incremental Attribution Tool to the test—three times.

In this episode, Richard Gaffin sits down with VP of Paid Media Tony Chopp to break down what really happened across those tests, including a final geo holdout study using actual Shopify revenue. The result?

You’ll learn:

- What CTC’s 3 incrementality tests revealed about Meta’s new attribution tool

- Why Meta’s results may be overstating impact—especially on new customer acquisition

- How to run a high-fidelity geo holdout test with real revenue data

- Why “cautiously curious” is the right mindset for adopting new attribution tools

Show Notes:

Want to see how real customers experience your brand across channels?Request your FREE Mystery Shopper report from our sponsor, Stord: https://stord.link/mystery

Explore the Prophit System: https://prophitsystem.com

Have a question for the podcast?

Email us: [email protected]

In this episode of The Random Show, Taylor Holiday and Andrew Faris sit down for a moment of focus—because something big just happened.Common Thread Collective has a new growth partner. Taylor breaks down what the deal really means, why it isn’t a retirement plan, and how private equity views agencies differently than eComm brands.• Why service businesses generate more cash (and get better multiples)• How CTC nearly collapsed—and what saved it• The real reason agency owners burn out (and how to avoid it)This is a must-watch.

• Ready to solve your influencer strategy? Book Your Strategy Demo at https://www.getsaral.com/demo
• Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com
• The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

In this episode of The Random Show, Taylor Holiday and Andrew Faris sit down for a moment of focus—because something big just happened.Common Thread Collective has a new growth partner. Taylor breaks down what the deal really means, why it isn’t a retirement plan, and how private equity views agencies differently than eComm brands.• Why service businesses generate more cash (and get better multiples)• How CTC nearly collapsed—and what saved it• The real reason agency owners burn out (and how to avoid it)This is a must-watch.

• Ready to solve your influencer strategy? Book Your Strategy Demo at https://www.getsaral.com/demo
• Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com
• The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of eCom

At CTC’s recent Client Summit, Taylor Holiday and Richard Gaffin sat down to unpack what happens when you get out from behind Zoom and into a room with the people you work with. The result? Honest conversations, unexpected insights, and a clearer picture of what brands really need right now.

From creative volume challenges to leadership struggles, this episode explores the unspoken truths that surface when vendors and clients share space—and why in-person connection is still one of the most powerful tools for growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why face-to-face conversations uncover issues Zoom never will

• The creative volume problem every brand is wrestling with—and how to fix it

• The leadership challenge CEOs secretly struggle with

• How agencies and brands can build trust and alignment beyond metrics
  

Show Notes:

• Ready to learn how your consumers truly experience your brand today! Request your FREE report at https://stord.link/mystery 

• Explore the Prophit System: [prophitsystem.com]

• Have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected]

The Tale of Two Cities in E-Commerce: Winners and Losers in 2025At CTC’s Client Summit, Taylor Holiday shares an unfiltered perspective on where the economy, the world, and the e-commerce landscape are headed—and why the future will be defined by a sharp divide between winners and losers.From macroeconomic pressures to changing consumer behavior, Taylor explains why the current environment isn’t creating a level playing field—and what separates the brands that will thrive from those that will struggle.You’ll learn:- The key economic signals shaping e-commerce in 2025- Why some brands will find massive opportunity while others collapse- How to position your business to be on the winning side

Show Notes:Ready to start texting smarter? Visit postscript.ioExplore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Can you turn 14 days into $1.28 million? We did—and we're breaking down exactly how we crushed our million-dollar challenge!

In this episode, join Richard and Luke as they unpack the intense 14-day journey that led to massive revenue success. 

You'll learn:

• How we strategically turned a critical marketing moment into explosive growth.

• The day-by-day breakdown of how we overcame a nearly half-million-dollar gap in just four days.

• Why forecasting, clarity, and a well-engineered brand collaboration were game-changers.

Whether you're a marketer, brand owner, or entrepreneur, you'll gain powerful insights into the systems and strategies behind generating massive revenue spikes on tight deadlines.

Show Notes:

• Ready to start texting smarter? Visit postscript.io

• Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com

• The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Discover the next chapter in Common Thread Collective’s story as Taylor Holiday takes you behind the scenes of our 12-year journey from a tiny IKEA furnished office and our first Facebook ad experiments with QALO, to the seismic shifts of COVID and our reinvention as a “profit agency.” 

In this special episode of the podcast, you’ll hear:

• How CTC evolved from a passion project into a mission-driven agency focused on connecting marketing efforts to real financial outcomes

• The cultural transformation that refocused us on customer experience and shareholder value

• The story behind our strategic growth partnership with Acacia—and what it means for our technology roadmap and your bottom line

Show Notes:

• Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.com

• Common Thread listeners get $250 by depositing $5,000 or spending $5,000 using the Mercury IO credit card within your first 90 days (or do both for $500) at mercury.com/ctc.!

• The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at [email protected] to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

• Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC. 

• The IO Card is issued by Patriot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard. Learn more about cashback.

• Working capital loans provided by Mercury Lending, LLC NMLS ID: 2606284.