DTC Podcast

Ep 541: Mastering the First Second: How Chris Erthel Hooks Attention in Meta Ads


Listen Later

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup


If you’re still sending Meta traffic to a single product page—you’re leaving revenue on the table.


In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric reconnects with global growth strategist Chris Erthel, whose playbook for Meta ads, landing page optimization, and strategic A/B testing has helped eCommerce brands scale from $30M to $100M+ and exit at nine-figure valuations.


Chris shares real-world insights from helping 142+ DTC brands and breaks down exactly why collection pages consistently outperform product pages, how to use humor and pattern interruption in the first second of your ad, and why the right discount depth can actually save you money.


We also get into:

✅ The one change that boosted ROAS and AOV by 20%

✅ Why 40% discounts outperform 30% (and reduce ad costs)

✅ The 5 ad hook formats that stop scrolls without looking like ads

✅ How to pre-seed comments for maximum social proof

✅ A roadmap to expand your DTC brand into the Nordics and Poland

✅ The real cost of SaaS bloat—and why tools like Omnisend and WeeVee are better bets

✅ A 30-second breathwork tool to calm your nervous system before big decisions


Whether you're running media, building funnels, or growing a global brand, this episode is a tactical masterclass on eCommerce growth, international expansion, and creative excellence.


Timestamps:

00:00 Cold open and common ecom mistakes

00:02 Chris’s origin story and early wins

00:07 Creative focus and the “send to collections” landing page test

00:12 First-second hooks that work now

00:18 Comment strategy that boosts ROAS

00:23 Building a testing culture across the funnel

00:25 Creator partnerships driving outsized revenue

00:27 Scaling to exit and stronger offers for BFCM

00:34 Smart international expansion playbook

00:38 AI creative toolchain in one canvas

00:41 Email ROI and tool cost comparisons

00:46 Big goals, happiness, and breathwork

00:53 20 connected breaths demo

00:57 Final advice for founders


Hashtags:

#DTC #Ecommerce #MetaAds #FacebookAds #CreativeStrategy #ABTesting #UGC #BlackFriday #InternationalExpansion #EmailMarketing #Omnisend #Klaviyo #AIinMarketing #RetentionMarketing #LandingPages #CreatorEconomy #ROAS #Podcast


Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

DTC PodcastBy DTC Newsletter and Podcast

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

36 ratings


More shows like DTC Podcast

View all
Social Media Marketing Podcast by Michael Stelzner, Social Media Examiner

Social Media Marketing Podcast

1,443 Listeners

The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan by Foundr Media

The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

571 Listeners

Shopify Masters by Shopify

Shopify Masters

378 Listeners

How I Built This with Guy Raz by Guy Raz | Wondery

How I Built This with Guy Raz

30,179 Listeners

Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips by Eric Siu and Neil Patel

Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips

1,261 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

2,169 Listeners

My First Million by Hubspot Media

My First Million

2,649 Listeners

Uncensored CMO by Jon Evans

Uncensored CMO

46 Listeners

The Marketing Millennials by Daniel Murray

The Marketing Millennials

154 Listeners

Marketing Made Simple by StoryBrand.com

Marketing Made Simple

287 Listeners

The Startup Ideas Podcast by Greg Isenberg

The Startup Ideas Podcast

203 Listeners

Marketing Against The Grain by Hubspot Media

Marketing Against The Grain

357 Listeners

OPERATORS by OPERATORS

OPERATORS

50 Listeners

Moneywise by Hampton

Moneywise

661 Listeners

The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Small Business Deep Dives with Entrepreneurs by Chris Koerner

The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Small Business Deep Dives with Entrepreneurs

241 Listeners