Most subscription brands don’t fail because of bad luck — they fail because of three common, fixable mistakes. In this episode, I break down the core reasons subscription businesses hit a wall or collapse altogether.

We’ll talk about:
✔ Why product-market fit still isn’t enough
✔ How your offer and creative are dragging down conversions
✔ What most founders get wrong about cash flow and LTV

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling past 10,000 subscribers, these are the foundations you need to get right.

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In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I sit down live at SubSummit with Lina Tonk, CMO of Recurly, to unpack what’s changing in the subscription economy and why retention is taking center stage.

We explore how top brands are shifting their focus from acquisition to delivering real value that keeps subscribers around. We talk about the evolution of cancellation strategies (spoiler: it’s not the end of the road), what personalization actually means today, and how AI and better data are reshaping customer experience.

Whether you're a DTC brand, membership model, or scaling SaaS subscription, this episode dives into the strategies brands of any size can use to create loyal subscribers and sustainable growth.

🧠 Topics we cover:

• Why subscriber acquisition is slowing—and what to do about it
• How to turn cancellation into a retention opportunity
• What personalization really looks like in 2025
• The role of AI and predictive offers in retention
• Why your tech stack needs to match your retention goals

👉 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights on scaling and retaining subscribers: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

New episodes drop every Tuesday. Hit that subscribe button and stay tuned.

Most brands overlook frequency. That’s a huge mistake.

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I’m breaking down the unsexy—but massively important—topic of subscription frequency. We cover how to align deliveries with consumption, how to handle products with variable usage (like protein or pet food), and why sometimes a subscription isn’t even the best model at all.

You’ll learn:

How to choose the right frequency based on product type
When to let customers control their cadence
Why flexibility beats automation for long-term retention

This isn’t just about getting more revenue. It’s about keeping the customers you already worked hard to earn.

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🔔 And don’t forget to subscribe here for more weekly episodes.

Most brands treat subscriptions like a checkout option. The ones that win treat it like a lifestyle.

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Gawley—fractional CMO, venture studio founder, and DTC veteran—to talk about the strategy behind building truly sticky subscriptions. We break down why most churn is caused by bad acquisition, how trial-size offers unlock long-term customers, and why retention really comes down to belonging. If you're building a subscription brand, this is the mindset shift you need.

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I hit the floor at SubSummit to ask the smartest operators in the subscription space one question:

What tactic is underleveraged—or completely overlooked—by brands today?

In this episode, you’ll hear rapid-fire answers from founders, retention pros, and tech leaders who are deep in the day-to-day of subscription.

We cover everything from:

• Fixing failed payments and churn spikes
• Boosting retention with loyalty and billing reminders
• The right (and wrong) way to use SMS
• Why your onboarding probably sucks
• How community, store credit, and proactive CX drive LTV

Whether you’re trying to scale your subscription brand or just want better retention, these insights are gold.

🎯 Featuring insights from leaders at Dime Beauty, Recharge, Stay AI, True Classic, Plate Crate, BattleBox, Zaymo, and more.

👉 Subscribe for weekly breakdowns to help you grow and retain more subscribers. Learn more at https://thesubscriptiondoc.com

Subscriber retention has a soft side… and a sharp edge. 

In this episode, I talk with Lydia Farmer from DIME Beauty about how they’ve built a retention machine that balances emotional loyalty with operational precision.

We cover:
– The retention levers DIME actually uses (and skips)
– Why retention isn’t just CX—it’s brand, ops, marketing, and more
– How DIME turns one-time beauty buyers into long-term subscribers
– Lessons learned scaling fast—and sustainably

Whether you’re a beauty brand or any brand with recurring revenue, this one will give you practical, real-world strategies for keeping the right customers longer.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: [https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com/subscribe](https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com/subscribe)
📲 Follow Lydia Farmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-farmer-031908220/
📲 Follow Matt Holman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewholman/

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we're breaking down the tech stack we actually recommend for DTC subscription brands—no fluff, no affiliate links.

From Shopify vs. WooCommerce to subscription platforms like Recharge, Skio, Stay, and Loop, we're sharing what tools we use with clients, what features actually matter, and how to avoid the most common mistakes brands make when choosing tech.

Whether you’re re-evaluating your stack or building one from scratch, this episode will help you think through each layer—from email and SMS to analytics, quizzes, and fulfillment.

👉 Got questions about your stack or picking a subscription app? Drop them in the comments or reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly tips and updates like this one: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

Joe Siegel has done retention for some of the biggest names in CPG—including MrBeast’s Feastables—and this week, he’s on the pod.

We brought him on to talk about what’s changing in retention, what still works, and what most brands get totally wrong.

Joe’s not just a pro—he’s building tools, advising brands, and helping shape the future of how subscription and ecom teams keep customers around.

You’ll want to take notes.

Learn more at https://www.thesubscriptiondoc.com

Understanding the financial metrics behind your subscription business is crucial for sustainable growth. In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we delve into the core numbers that drive profitability: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Customer Lifetime Value (LTV).

We'll explore:

How to accurately calculate CAC and LTV

The significance of the LTV:CAC ratio and what it reveals about your business health

Common pitfalls in interpreting these metrics Strategies to optimize your customer acquisition and retention efforts

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode will equip you with the insights needed to make informed financial decisions for your subscription model.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter for more in-depth discussions: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com/subscribe

The LTV calculation sheet I mention in the show: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NH1yJgEHaLFjsNDZ1FWAkXm7YfOr82e-8rjth6QFekU/edit?usp=sharing

Popups are a staple in e-commerce, but are they truly effective?

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I sit down with Shaan Arora, founder of Alia, to discuss how his innovative approach is redefining the traditional popup. Discover how Alia's focus on customer education and zero-party data is helping brands like Nike Strength, Hostage Tape, and Obvi achieve higher engagement and conversion rates.

We delve into:

The origin story of Alia and its mission to enhance customer engagement.

The importance of zero-party data in today's e-commerce landscape.

Real-world success stories from brands leveraging Alia's unique popup strategy.

If you're looking to elevate your customer engagement and retention strategies, this conversation is a must-watch.

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