Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth

Is AppLovin actually incremental — or just another platform taking credit for demand that already exists?In this episode, we break down 8 real AppLovin incrementality tests run across live client accounts and share what the data actually shows. No speculation. No theory. Just results.We cover why AppLovin’s measurement is more conservative than most platforms, how its attribution model impacts reported performance, and why every test so far has come back positively incremental. From there, we move beyond the lab and into execution — sharing tactical learnings from running AppLovin at scale across multiple brands.You’ll hear practical insights on:How AppLovin incrementality compares to Meta, Google, and YouTubeWhat we’ve learned from real spend, real revenue, and real testsCampaign structure, bidding strategies, and when to consolidate vs segmentCreative formats that are working best inside mobile game environmentsWhy AppLovin is emerging as a legitimate “third platform” in the paid media stackWhat Black Friday & Cyber Monday revealed about AppLovin’s scaling potentialIf you’re an e-commerce operator trying to decide whether AppLovin deserves real budget — or just a test — this episode will help you make that call with confidence.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Most brands are chasing “perfect attribution.”That’s the wrong goal.In this episode of the Podcast, Tony sits down with Steve to break down what marketing measurement is actually for — and why accuracy with a capital-T isn’t just impossible, it’s counterproductive.Using the “Royal Cubit” metaphor, they explain why the purpose of measurement isn’t to find universal truth, but to create a shared reality that allows teams to make confident decisions at speed. From contribution margin at the business level to ROAS targets inside ad accounts, this episode walks through how CTC connects the entire measurement stack into a single operating system.They cover:Why platform numbers will never match — and why that’s okayHow MMM and incrementality work together (not against each other)The hidden cost of chasing attribution precisionHow to prioritize incrementality tests that actually move revenueWhy shared metrics matter more than “correct” onesWhat better measurement unlocks for upper-funnel and channel expansion in 2026If you’re responsible for budget allocation, performance efficiency, or explaining results to a CFO, this episode reframes how measurement should work — and what actually matters when the goal is contribution margin, not dashboard perfection.Show Notes:Head to https://www.dash.fi/Or book a call with our Head of Sales here: https://calendly.com/d/ct8f-w59-824/dashfi-x-common-thread-collective-introExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

The last five years of DTC forced brands through extreme conditions—easy money, explosive growth, brutal pullbacks, rising CAC, tariffs, and shrinking consumer demand. In this presentation from the Commerce Roundtable, Taylor Holiday breaks down why those pressures weren’t the end of DTC—but the catalyst for its next evolution.Taylor introduces the “Flow Era”: a new phase where winning brands stop chasing easy growth and instead master cash flow, product-led expansion, operational discipline, and constraint-driven creativity. Drawing on real data, industry trends, and the Born Primitive case study, he explains how the best operators are shifting from ROAS obsession to free cash flow as the true scoreboard.This talk covers:Why “easy” DTC is over—and why that’s a good thingHow capital constraints are reshaping growth strategiesThe shift from revenue → EBITDA → free cash flowWhy better ads won’t save commodity productsHow storytelling, category expansion, and constraints unlock durable growthPractical lessons for operators navigating rising CAC, tariffs, and inventory riskIf you’re an operator, founder, or marketer trying to build a business that actually funds itself, this presentation lays out the mindset and mechanics required to win in the next era of DTC.Show Notes:Head to https://www.dash.fi/Or book a call with our Head of Sales here: https://calendly.com/d/ct8f-w59-824/dashfi-x-common-thread-collective-introExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, we break down the three things brands must get right to win in 2026—based on real performance data, post-BFCM learnings, and what top-performing brands are already doing differently.Richard is joined by Luke to unpack the foundational shifts shaping the next era of ecommerce growth. As rising costs, tighter margins, and increased competition redefine the landscape, winning brands aren’t doing more—they’re doing the right things better.We cover:Why system integration is now essential for faster, clearer decision-makingHow creative consolidation (especially UGC-led formats) is driving scalable performanceWhen and how distribution expansion actually works—across platforms, products, and retail channelsThe role of predictability, single-source-of-truth measurement, and profit-first thinking in 2026Why brands that lack operational clarity will struggle to keep up this yearThis episode is a practical playbook for founders, CMOs, and operators looking to move faster, eliminate guesswork, and build durable growth systems heading into 2026.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

2026 won’t be an evolution of commerce—it will be a reset.In this episode, Taylor and Richard unpack 26 predictions that will reshape commerce in 2026, exploring how AI becomes the foundational layer for shopping, work, creative, media buying, and decision-making itself.This isn’t about tools or tactics. It’s about what happens when machines stop assisting humans—and start replacing human judgment entirely.You’ll hear why:AI isn’t driving traffic to stores—it is the storeCreative strategy, brand standards, and human bias are becoming liabilitiesAutopilot decision systems will outperform human-led teamsMedia buying, inventory, pricing, and PDPs won’t need approval anymoreCommerce is collapsing into a single, intelligent, universal feedIf you’re still planning 2026 with last year’s assumptions, this conversation will challenge everything—from how much content you should produce to whether your website even matters.This episode isn’t prediction-as-content.It’s a warning—and a roadmap.Show Notes:Read the 26 Predictions That Will RESHAPE Commerce In 2026: https://commonthreadco.com/blogs/coachs-corner/26-predictions-ecommerce-2026TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Meta’s Andromeda algorithm didn’t just tweak performance it rewired how ads are delivered, scaled, and rewarded.In this episode of the Podcast, we break down insights from 53,000 ads, 147 brands, and $14.5M in BFCM spend to show how Meta now evaluates creative, bidding strategies, and content formats in a post-auction, AI-driven system.You’ll learn:Why creative volume exploded — and why it’s now required to scaleHow different bid strategies attract fundamentally different customersWhy video absorbs spend more efficiently than static adsWhat makes UGC ads more likely to become high-spend winnersHow promo vs evergreen ads actually perform under AndromedaThis isn’t theory or platform guidance — it’s real performance data from Cyber Five, unpacked to help brands understand what Meta rewards now and how to adapt heading into 2026.If you’re scaling paid media and trying to keep up with Meta’s shift from auctions to content delivery, this episode breaks down what changed — and what to do next.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Presented by:Fulfil : https://bit.ly/3KNjCYJTaxCloud: https://bit.ly/49mKdnRChargeflow: https://bit.ly/49mKfvZYou'll learn how to...-Connect marketing actions to financial outcomes-Combine qualitative planning with quantitative modeling-Create alignment across your finance and marketing teamsGet our system: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/contact

 The holiday shipping cutoff doesn’t end the year. It flips the calendar into Q5 — the six-week window where intent spikes, CPMs collapse, and the best customer cohorts of the year are born.In this episode of the Podcast, we break down why Q5 is the Super Bowl for health & wellness brands and how operators should think about acquisition, offers, and retention heading into January.Joining the conversation:Dean Brennan, CEO of Heart & SoilDave Huffman, Co-Founder of Fifth HammerTogether, we unpack:Why Q5 is an identity-change moment and why that matters for conversionThe December 23 CPM floor and how media economics reset overnightVolume vs. efficiency: when it makes sense to scale CAC in Q5Community-led challenges vs. frictionless acquisition modelsWhy most growth comes from light buyers, not superfansHow January cohorts outperform the rest of the year in LTVThe “acquire + harvest” strategy that carries brands through all 12 monthsIf you’re a founder or marketer in supplements, health, beauty, or subscription ecommerce, this episode is your reminder that the year isn’t won in Q4 — it’s won in Q5.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, Richard and Luke break down the uncomfortable truth most brands ignore: your marketing calendar not your spreadsheet—is the real driver of revenue. We walk through why forecasts consistently miss, how spending power actually shifts month to month, and the system top DTC brands use to tie marketing actions directly to revenue outcomes.You’ll learn how to:Build forecasts rooted in real marketing behaviorUse spending power and event effect models to predict revenue accuratelyDiagnose why actuals diverge from plan (and what actions to take next)Align finance and marketing so both teams finally speak the same languageIf you want predictable revenue, tighter forecasts, and a clearer view of how marketing really moves the business, this episode is your blueprint.Show Notes:TaxCloud has you covered: https://taxcloud.com/thread/Explore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode, Taylor and Joy break down the real 2026 playbook for 7-figure ecommerce brands, and why copying 9-figure operators is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.Coming off BFCM, they unpack what actually happened for small brands and what it signals heading into the new year.You’ll learn:How to create “four peaks a month” using trends, cultural moments, and audience overlapsWhy forecasting is an execution system not a prediction toolHow aMER becomes your most reliable metric at the 7-figure stageThe traps that stall growth (SKU bloat, premature channel expansion, bad benchmarks)What separates the 7-figure brands that scale from the ones that don’tIf you’re aiming to reach 8 figures in 2026, this episode outlines the roadmap.Plus: How CTC’s Profit System and Global Accelerator help founders build predictable, scalable growth.Show Notes:Start your free Motion trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

How do high-performing ecommerce brands turn campaigns into predictable cash flow?In this episode, we break down the exact forecasting process we use at Common Thread Collective to consistently land within 0–10% of goal across dozens of brands.Growth Strategy Manager Brian Sakansky joins Richard to unpack how CTC builds forecasts, operationalizes them, and uses daily expectations to make real-time decisions that drive revenue and contribution margin.You’ll learn:Why most forecasts fail—and how to fix yoursHow CTC turns marketing calendars into financial plansThe daily system our team uses to hit targets with confidenceHow to identify the “real” problem in your data (AOV, CAC, CVR, etc.)The contingency planning that keeps brands on track when things go sideways How smaller operators can build this same process with nothing more than a spreadsheetIf you want forecasting to be more than a spreadsheet…If you want it to actually guide your decisions…And if you want to turn campaigns into reliable cash flow…Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In this episode of the Podcast, we break down the real story of BFCM 2025—from forecasting accuracy to media buying chaos, offer pivots, AppLovin’s breakout performance, and what this year’s results say about the broader consumer economy.Richard and Taylor walk through:The full BFCM data recap: +7% total revenue, +10% new customers, +13% contribution marginWhy Saturday became the surprise winner of the weekendAppLovin outperforming expectations by 100%+Meta delivery volatility, and why it’s part of the gameTactical offer changes that saved entire BFCM weekendsThe rise of BNPL and concerning consumer financial behaviorWhat this all means for 2026 planningIf you’re preparing for the year ahead, this episode breaks down the numbers, the lessons, and the trends shaping how brands should think about forecasting, spending, and customer acquisition going into 2026.Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Black Friday is three days away but there’s still time to tighten your strategy and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode of the podcast, the CTC team breaks down the 5 essential last-minute BFCM fixes every brand needs before the biggest weekend of the year.Whether you're behind on creative, unsure about spend pacing, or just want to sanity-check your plan…this is the checklist that will save your BFCM.What we cover:Locking spend to aMER targetsAuditing & refreshing creative without producing anything newSimplifying your offer across the entire customer journeyOperational readiness (don’t ruin a good sale!)Hour-by-hour tracking & how to take action quicklyIf you want a clean, no-nonsense guide to surviving Black Friday/Cyber Monday (and setting yourself up for your best one yet), this is the episode.Show Notes:Start your free trial now at https://bit.ly/4isWjjqExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

In our first CFO Summit Taylor breaks down the Board, Budget, Bonus forecasting framework—CTC’s core system for building a clear, defensible, and aligned financial plan for 2026.This replay walks you through how high-performing ecommerce brands create scenario models that serve their board, their finance team, and their operators… all without losing focus during the busy BFCM season.In this replay, you’ll learn:-The 3 scenario model every CFO should build for 2026-How to anchor your plan in real data not hope or assumptions-Why most ecommerce forecasts break (and how to fix yours)-How new vs. returning customer trends shape next year’s revenue-How to connect your marketing calendar directly to your financial plan-Why forecasting succeeds or fails based on daily executionWhether you’re a founder, CFO, VP of Finance, or operator driving next year’s plan, this replay gives you the structure and clarity to build a forecast your board—and your team—can trust.Show Notes:The CFO Summit series brought to you by: Fulfil: https://bit.ly/3JWVJ0qTaxCloud: https://bit.ly/3LQ1M7uExplore the PROPHIT System: http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Meta’s new creative ranking systems are changing everything, and most brands have no idea how much it’s affecting their performance. In this episode, we break down exactly how Meta’s Black Box evaluates your ads, why your creatives are being grouped together, and why small variations (like hook swaps) no longer matter the way you think they do.Our Guest today is Reza Khadjavi, CEO at Motion, the creative reporting platform trusted by top DTC brands.What you’ll learn:Why Meta sees one ad even when you upload tenHow Andromeda assigns “priors” to your creativeWhy hook testing isn’t moving the needle anymoreHow AI labeling is changing creative analysisWhat creative diversity actually means to MetaThe end of growth hacking (and what comes next)How to build a creative strategy that still works in a black box worldIf your ads feel stuck, inconsistent, or unpredictable… This episode will explain why.Show Notes:This episode is brought to you by Tie: http://meettie.comExplore the PROPHIT System:http://prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

How do you set the right ROAS target on Meta heading into Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Most brands either guess… or use last month’s numbers and hope they hold.But BFCM behaves nothing like a normal period and the attribution windows prove it.In this episode, Tony and Steve walk through the real data behind Meta’s 7-day vs. 28-day click attribution, why value shifts dramatically in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, and how that should change your spend strategy right now.You’ll learn:How much value Meta under-reports in the 7-day windowWhy pre-BFCM ad spend has a longer conversion tailHow to push your ROAS target lower without tanking efficiencyHow incrementality testing plays into your spend ceilingWhy daily spending power spikes in early November—and how to use itHow to analyze YOUR 7-day vs 28-day attribution before BFCMShow Notes:This episode is brought to you by Tie: meettie.comExplore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Most ecommerce brands build one forecast — and that’s why most forecasts are wrong.In this episode of the Podcast, Richard and Luke break down the 3-forecast model that every high-performing brand should use when planning for 2026: Board. Budget. Bonus.You’ll learn:Why every brand needs three forecasts, not oneHow to balance short-term execution (Black Friday) with long-term planning (2026)How to model different outcomes for your board, your operating budget, and your team goalsHow to use tools like percentage-over-model and event effect modeling to make forecasts actually usefulIf you’re leading growth, finance, or operations at a 7 to 9 figure brand, this episode will help you plan smarter, forecast with confidence, and build a roadmap that aligns your team from boardroom to bonus.Get your 2026 forecast built with CTC’s Prophit System: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/prophit-systemShow Notes:This episode is brought to you by Tie: meettie.comExplore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Most brands are building their 2026 plan all wrong.In this episode, Taylor breaks down why you can’t walk into the new year with one financial forecast — and why the smartest brands plan three: Board, Budget, and Bonus.You’ll learn how to:Build scenario plans that align finance and marketingForecast existing and new customer revenue with confidenceConnect your marketing calendar directly to your financial goalsPresent a plan your board, your bank, and your team will actually believe inWhether you’re a CMO, CEO, or founder planning for growth in 2026, this is your playbook for making smarter decisions before the year even starts.Get your 2026 forecast built with CTC’s Prophit System: https://commonthreadco.com/pages/prophit-systemBonus Offer (through Nov 11): Sign up now and get our Black Friday Cyber Monday Hourly Tracking Report — free.Show Notes:This episode is brought to you by Tie: meettie.comExplore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

Black Friday isn’t won by guessing, it’s won hour by hour.In this episode of the Podcast, Richard and Luke break down how top DTC brands use real-time ad spend optimization to hit — and even exceed — their Black Friday and Cyber Monday targets.You’ll learn how hourly tracking transforms decision making during the biggest shopping weekend of the year, plus:How to spot pacing issues before it’s too lateWhen to scale ad spend versus pull back in real timeWhat hourly data reveals about buyer behavior on BFCMWhy last year’s patterns are your best forecasting tool for this yearLimited offer: Get a free Black Friday Hourly Tracking Report when you purchase a Prophit System, your full-year spend and forecasting model built by Common Thread Collective.Show Notes:This episode is brought to you by: Finaloop: https://get.finaloop.com/ecommerce-playbook-podcast/Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have

After months of mixed signals, new data from the DTC Index shows ecommerce revenue is up 10% year over year — but consumer confidence is heading in the opposite direction.In this episode, host Richard sits down with Steve, CTC’s Chief Data Scientist, to unpack what’s really happening in the numbers. They dig into the latest data from our DTC Index and Consumer Confidence Index, exploring:Why returning customers are driving growth this fallThe strange disconnect between economic sentiment and spending behaviorHow to use consumer confidence data to forecast your spending powerWhat this all means for your Black Friday and 2026 planningIf you’re an ecommerce operator or growth strategist trying to separate signal from noise this holiday season, this one’s for you.Show Notes:This episode is brought to you by: Finaloop: https://get.finaloop.com/ecommerce-playbook-podcast/Explore the PROPHIT System: prophitsystem.comThe Ecommerce Playbook mailbag is open — email us at podcast@commonthreadco.com to ask us any questions you might have