Threading The Needle

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 stay ahead in an increasingly omni-channel world. Whether you're a marketer, entrepreneur, or ecommerce enthusiast, these insights will help you prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the coming year. Show Notes: Go to https://your.omnisend.com/CTC to 20% off your first 3 months with code CTC20. Full 25 predictions list: https://x.com/TaylorHoliday/status/1869774814543532131 Explore the PROPHIT System: profitsystem.com The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

This 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 what you want to occur. Align your financial plan with your marketing strategy for predictable growth. Avoid the common pitfalls of "hope-based" forecasting. Build realistic goals that challenge and inspire your team without leading to burnout. Whether you’re a CEO, head of marketing, or finance leader, this system will help you optimize every dollar spent and drive profitable, sustainable growth. Watch as we break it down step-by-step, using real data and actionable insights! Show Notes: Explore the PROPHIT System: profitsystem.com The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you migh

Discover 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 walk you through how PAM simplifies complex decisions about total budget allocation, channel-level distribution, and campaign-specific targets. Learn why incrementality is the gold standard for measurement and how PAM connects business objectives to actionable insights for Meta, Google, and beyond. If you’re tired of guessing where to allocate your ad spend, PAM is here to do the heavy lifting. Tune in to see how this innovative model is transforming ecommerce growth strategies for brands of all sizes. Ready to let PAM guide your business to success? Visit https://prophitsystem.com/ to learn more. Show Notes: Go to https://your.omnisend.com/CTC to 20% off your first

Scaling 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 through chaos, unifying your data, and driving bottom-line growth. We explore: The hidden complexities of revenue definitions. Why contribution margin is the real metric you should focus on. How messy data and conflicting definitions can derail your decision-making. Ready to start planning your most successful year yet? Click here to learn more about how Common Thread Collective can help: https://prophitsystem.com/ Show Notes: Get funding with Clearco - https://bit.ly/40MtSpB The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Get 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 are evolving and what to expect in December Key insights on new vs. returning customer revenue trends Why 2025 is shaping up to be the year of great planning Tips for creating a winning omni-channel marketing strategy Exclusive insights from the CTC Profit System Ready to start planning your most successful year yet? Click here to learn more about how Common Thread Collective can help: https://prophitsystem.com/ Show Notes: Get funding with Clearco - https://bit.ly/40MtSpB The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Are 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 ad spend—and which platform will deliver the biggest ROI. The critical importance of raising your AMER target and how to do it right. Creative tips to maximize performance on Meta (and beyond!). Why sending MORE emails than ever before could be your secret weapon. Don’t wait! Implement these strategies TODAY to avoid leaving revenue on the table this holiday season. Show Notes: Get funding with Clearco - https://bit.ly/40MtSpB GET $100 OFF AN ADMISSION MEMBERSHIP - https://www.youradmission.co/?ctc The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Is 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 the curtain on the hype surrounding AppLovin and reveal what’s really happening behind the scenes. Here’s what we cover: Why AppLovin is gaining attention: From its rapid growth to its ability to rival Meta Ads, find out what’s fueling the buzz. The results we're seeing so far: Learn how some brands are achieving Meta-level ROAS and scaling their campaigns. AppLovin's unique advantages: 7-day click optimization, no need for new creatives, and access to untapped high-value audiences. Where skepticism remains: Can AppLovin sustain its early success? What happens when competition ramps up? Our recommendations: How you can test this platform with minimal ri

Dive 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 episode: Why DTC growth for seven figure brands has stagnated. The latest on ad performance for Meta, Google, and TikTok. Everything you need to know about AppLovin: the new ad network taking ecommerce by storm. Insights into consumer spending habits and rising discount rates. Why consumer optimism about the economy might shake up your holiday sales strategy. PLUS: Get a sneak peek of our upcoming special report on AppLovin and why every DTC marketer needs to pay attention! Show Notes: Go to https://your.omnisend.com/CTC to 20% off your first 3 months with code CTC20. The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com

Struggling 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 forecasting can revolutionize your profitability. Discover why most brands mistakenly separate Amazon from their DTC strategies, leading to inefficiencies and competition within their own sales channels. Learn how to merge your media spend and revenue tracking for Amazon and your website into one cohesive strategy, identify true incremental revenue, and make smarter advertising decisions that maximize returns across all platforms. We also share practical insights on new data integration techniques, how to run geoholdout studies, and why understanding the impact of your ad spend across channels is mission critical for ecommerce growth in 2025. Show Notes: Get funding

Welcome 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 for 7-figure brands. Why brands are lining up – and how we’re breaking growth barriers. Our urgent need for elite talent to join the team and make a global impact. We’re Hiring! If you’re ambitious and driven, this is your chance to learn from the best, work with cutting-edge systems, and elevate your career. Show Notes: Get funding with Clearco - https://bit.ly/40MtSpB Apply Now - https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/globalaccelerator Let’s Connect - https://commonthreadco.com/pages/accelerator The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Get 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—because they lack control over the marketing levers that drive results. Join us as we unveil CTC’s Event Effect Model, an approach that empowers marketers to take charge of revenue forecasting. By leveraging historical data, marketing events, and detailed actions, this model allows ecommerce brands to transform their future predictions into actionable plans. Discover: Why traditional financial forecasts often fall short How marketing actions like product launches, promotions, and ads directly influence revenue The innovative strategies CTC uses to model marketing-driven revenue growth How to use marketing events as building blocks for more accurate predictions

Are 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 and shares actionable insights on pacing your budget for maximum returns. Don’t let outdated strategies or early-bird sales trends pull you away from what really works! Topics Covered: The unique opportunity Black Friday provides for ecommerce brands How to avoid spreading your budget too thin leading up to Black Friday Data-backed insights on why Black Friday outperforms other sales days Tips for maximizing efficiency on Black Friday and Cyber Monday If you’re looking to make the most of your holiday sales season, this episode is a must-watch. Hit subscribe for more eCommerce strategies and tips, and make sure you’re ready to win big this Black Friday

In 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 the effects on Meta and Google ads to insights on how to handle performance dips, we’ve got the data and strategies to help you weather the storm. Don’t panic! Taylor and Richard walk through what to expect, how to adapt, and why staying the course is critical for keeping your ads on track as we approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Show Notes: The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm

Are 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 building a data-driven strategy for profitability, even in challenging markets. From data integrity and customer acquisition models to marketing allocation and performance tracking, we cover every essential part of this system that’s transforming brands and helping them not just survive but thrive in 2024 and beyond.  Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

In this month's State of the Industry, we tackle some of the biggest questions facing ecommerce brands in 2024. Why are 7-figure stores seeing a slowdown in growth? How are political ad spending and shifting consumer behaviors affecting your bottom line? And most importantly, what can you do about it heading into the critical Q4 period? Join our panel of experts as we break down the data behind the Direct-to-Consumer Confidence Index (DTCCI) and explore theories on why revenue growth is stalling. We’ll discuss the impact of the upcoming election, the growing trend of value driven consumers waiting for bigger discounts, and how large ecommerce brands are adjusting their strategies in a tighter, more competitive market. Plus, we’ll dig into what this means for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and your holiday sales. If you’re navigating the complexities of ecommerce right now, this episode is packed with insights to help you adjust your strategy and drive profitability. Don’t miss these critical discussions on the

Want to dominate this Black Friday and Cyber Monday? In this episode Richard and Luke reveal the top 5 essential strategies that will supercharge your sales and help you maximize profits during the busiest shopping season of the year! From crafting irresistible offers to optimizing your media spend, we’re giving you a proven game plan to stand out from the competition and make sure your business ends the year with a bang. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, these tips are critical to your success. Here's what we cover: How to create a killer Black Friday offer that customers can't resist The secret to increasing your ad spend without hurting profitability Why focusing on Meta (Facebook & Instagram) ads is crucial in Q4 How to optimize your creative for high-conversion placements like Reels The power of email marketing – and why you need to send more emails than ever Don't miss these must-do strategies – your Black Friday success depends on it! Show Notes: Go to https:/

In this episode, Taylor shares his biggest critique of cost controls in digital advertising. Join Richard and Taylor as they explore the limitations of cost controls, including the challenges of relying on human logic and consistency in a constantly evolving ad landscape. They dive into the role of AI in ad management, the struggle to trust automation, and the emotional hurdles that often lead to poor decision-making. Taylor also shares insights on how to optimize campaigns for long term success by balancing human creativity with machine driven precision. This episode is a must watch for anyone interested in digital marketing strategy, campaign optimization, and the future of AI in ecommerce! Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have about the world of ecomm.

Get ready for the holiday season with expert SEO insights designed to help you maximize organic traffic and boost revenue! In this episode Richard sits down with Travis Bichelle, CTC’s Director of SEO, to break down essential SEO strategies tailored for Q4 and holiday promotions in 2024. From understanding organic search declines to building robust metadata, schema markup, and leveraging Google Merchant Center, we dive into actionable steps to ensure your ecommerce site captures holiday shoppers and increases conversions. Plus, we share a sprint checklist to optimize your site’s performance before Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond! Key Takeaways: Holiday SEO tactics to increase organic traffic How to use metadata and schema markup effectively Leveraging Google Merchant Center for visual search results Preparing for Q5 with clearance strategies and 301 redirects Show Notes: Go to https://mercury.com/thread today to see if you’re eligible for Mercury Working Capital The Ecommerce Playboo

In 2024, working with over 67 eight-figure ecommerce brands gave us an insider view of what it really takes to produce sustainable profit in today’s competitive landscape. These brands not only achieved significant revenue but also balanced it with strategies that drove genuine profitability—no easy feat in the current market climate. In this in-depth video, we’re sharing the hard truths, pivotal insights, and key takeaways we learned from these standout brands. From high-level strategic decisions to the day-to-day tactics that drive success, we’ll cover it all, including: Adapting to Industry Shifts: How these brands pivoted their approach to stay ahead amidst fluctuating market demands, economic pressures, and digital advertising changes. The Power of a Solid Profit System: Why the most profitable brands don’t just rely on individual marketing tactics—they implement robust systems designed to consistently generate positive ROI. Media Buying That Delivers: Insights on effective ad spend allocation and

In this episode, we look at the cultural transformation that took place at Common Thread Collective, shifting from an employee-centric approach to a standards-centric model. Join us as Taylor and Dane Sanders, CTC's VP of Employee Development and Performance, discuss how rethinking company culture can drive profitability, enhance team performance, and reduce turnover. Learn how CTC balanced high standards, accountability, and employee engagement to create a thriving workplace where people are empowered to perform at their best. Whether you’re a leader looking to boost your company’s culture or an employee interested in understanding what makes high-performing teams tick, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps for building a resilient and results-driven culture. Tune in to discover: The key differences between employee-centric and standards-centric approaches Why aligning company culture with customer value improves satisfaction and profitability Practical strategies CTC used to oper