Subscription Prescription | Weekly Doses to Boost Ecommerce Revenue

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I break down my top 3 mistakes I see across DTC subscription brands—mistakes that are quietly hurting your growth and retention.Here’s what we cover:• Why treating subscriptions as a retention play is backwards• How most billing reminders are killing your LTV• The cancel flow tweak that can instantly double your save rateWhether you're just starting out or running a high-volume subscription program, these fixes are simple, fast, and worth your attention.📩 Want more insights like this in your inbox? Subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

Most DTC brands treat retention like it’s just about sending emails or building flows. But if you’re not approaching retention with a real strategy, you’re leaving serious money on the table.In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we hear directly from one of the best retention pros in the game: Sonja Grasser from Wellbel. She shares how to connect your data, improve your segmentation, and build habits that lead to long-term retention.You’ll learn:✅ Why most brands hire operators when what they really need is strategy✅ How to fix generic messaging by segmenting into 3 key groups✅ Why relying on one big subscription discount upfront can hurt your cohorts✅ What metrics to actually track (like time-to-second purchase)✅ How to use post-purchase and cancel flows to inform future strategy✅ When and how to use email, blog content, and even SMS for subscription experienceThis episode will help you think more holistically about retention and subscription performance beyond just your next campaign.📩 Subscribe to the Subscription Prescription newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com#subscriptions #ecommerce #dtc #retentionmarketing #emailmarketing #dtcstrategy

Black Friday Cyber Monday can be a goldmine for subscription brands - or a churn nightmare.In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we walk through exactly how to structure your BFCM strategy so you don’t sacrifice margin or long-term LTV. Most brands treat this like a cash grab. I’ll show you how to approach it more strategically.Here’s what we cover:How to prevent subscribers from canceling to chase your BFCM offerWhat to include in your onboarding and billing reminder emailsWhy discounted subscribers churn - and what to do about itIf you run a subscription brand and want to make Q4 your strongest quarter yet, this episode is for you.📬 Subscribe to the newsletter for actionable strategies every week:👉 https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com#subscriptions #ecommerce #BFCM #retention #dtc #blackfriday #cybermonday

Most subscription brands are solving the wrong problem. They build marketing around surface-level reasons, but never dig deep enough to uncover what actually drives purchase and repeat behavior.In this episode, we hear directly from the master of behavioral marketing with Sarah Levinger. She breaks down three marketing lessons that have changed how you should think about acquisition and retention strategy:Why you should stop testing “angles” and start testing behaviorsHow customer observation reveals the truth behind usage and churnAnd why retention depends more on prompts than productsIf you're trying to lower CAC or improve LTV, this is the episode that will help you flip the script.📬 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for retention strategy and actionable insights:👉 https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com👉 Follow Sarah Levinger and learn more about Tether: https://tetherinsights.io/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahlevinger/#subscriptions #ecommerce #retention #dtc #customerbehavior #lifecyclemarketing

Most brands are trying to solve churn by tweaking their cancellation flows. But the truth is, if your customer doesn’t know what they need - or how often - they’re going to cancel no matter what you offer on the way out.In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we sit down with Cherene Aubert to unpack three universal truths of subscriptions:Why churn is often a symptom of a buyer education problemHow helpful beats clever when it comes to building trustAnd why your loyalty program should revolve around your most committed customers—your subscribersIf you’re stuck trying to optimize retention, this conversation will help you zoom out and rethink what’s driving your subscription in the first place.📬 Subscribe to the newsletter for insights like this every Tuesday: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I sit down with the founder of BakIt Box to explore how rethinking subscription cadence, product strategy, and communication channels led to deeper customer engagement and better retention.We talk about why they abandoned the monthly model in favor of quarterly shipments, how they turn subscription kits into high-converting one-time products, and what it looks like to actually serve customers through SMS content instead of sales pushes.If you're building or optimizing a DTC subscription, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on:When and why to shift from monthly to quarterly fulfillmentHow to design one-time products that lead back to the subscriptionUsing SMS to improve retention (without discount spam)What homeschool audiences really value in a subscriptionBuilding loyalty through exceptional customer service📬 For more insights like this every Tuesday, subscribe to the newsletter:https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I break down how the top subscription platforms, specifically, Recharge, Stay AI, SKIO, and Loop, approach cancellation flows, and how you can optimize each one to reduce churn and increase retention.Whether you're just getting started or managing thousands of subscribers, understanding your platform's cancellation flow is one of the highest-leverage things you can do. From splash screens and A/B tests to smart segmentation and save actions, I walk through exactly what to focus on—platform by platform.You’ll learn:What Recharge’s AI cancellation insights can (and can’t) tell youHow Stay AI dynamically tests save offers behind the scenesWhy SKIO’s “pause before cancel” feature can double your savesHow Loop’s analytics show you which saves lead to repeat orders📬 Want more insights like this in your inbox every Tuesday? Subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com#subscriptions #ecommerce #recharge #stayai #skio #loopsubscriptions #churn #dtc #retentionmarketing #subscriptionprescription

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I sat down with the founder of Blind Barrels to unpack how they built a whiskey subscription that people can’t stop talking about and don’t want to cancel.We explore how intentional curation, premium unboxing, and smart pricing can turn an average subscription into a meaningful experience. You'll hear real strategies for lowering churn, building community, and designing packaging that customers literally don’t want to throw away.Whether you're running a box of supplements, wine, skincare, or digital goods, there’s a lot to learn from a brand that’s turning whiskey drinkers into lifelong members.🔑 Topics we cover:Turning curation into communityWhy premium packaging is worth the costHandling churn with empathy (and precision)Customer service lessons that create superfansGrowth without ad overspend📦 Learn more about building and scaling your own subscription program: https://thesubscriptiondoc.com🎧 Subscribe for more episodes like this every week. #subscriptions #ecommerce #retention #dtc #subscriptionbox #founderstory

Most subscription brands don’t fail because of ads or acquisition; they fail because of retention. In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I walk through the audit framework my team uses to diagnose subscription programs. You’ll learn:✅ The three patterns we see in subscription brands (and what each one needs to fix first)✅ Why weak onboarding, billing reminders, and cancellation flows quietly kill retention✅ How bulk options, frequency controls, and upsells can transform your cash flow and churn ratesIf you’ve been wondering whether your subscription program is healthy or if you’re just masking churn with acquisition spend, this episode is for you.📩 Want more practical strategies for scaling your subscription business? Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.comGrab all the free content and guides promised in this week's dose:Preview of the Audit Deliverable: https://youtu.be/nFfX1vk0cCQFree Subscription Audit Checklist: https://subscriptionprescription.notion.site/Subscription-Audit-Template-beecf0c39c7c47aa8f8250fb6a3d7174Free Splash Screen Video Template: https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1ig5x8llW67XGy2spaeHNi_6tefW1xkRGSchedule your audit discovery call here: https://calendly.com/subscription-prescription/consult-discovery-call-subscription-prescripti-clone

Most subscription brands think growth is all about the product. But the real wins come from building community, personalizing experiences, and creating new layers of value beyond the box. In this episode, I break down what every subscription operator can learn from niche sports boxes and how you can apply the same strategies to drive retention and loyalty in your own business.👉 In this video, you’ll learn:Why community feedback loops are essential for growthHow personalization builds long-term loyaltyWays to add value beyond the product itselfIf you’re serious about scaling your subscription program, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more tips: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

Most brands only use email and SMS to send billing notices or shipping confirmations to subscribers. That’s a huge missed opportunity. In this episode, I share how to:Use campaigns to deepen subscriber loyalty and reduce churnTurn transactional emails into sales and brand-building toolsLeverage SMS for subscription management and higher LTVWhen you treat email and SMS as strategic retention channels, you can increase revenue, strengthen relationships, and keep customers subscribed longer.📩 Want more subscription growth strategies?Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, I sit down with Jenny Frink, founder of Love Me Gluten-Free, to talk about how she transformed her personal health journey into a thriving subscription box business.Jenny shares how she built a community of gluten-free eaters through her blog, Good For You Gluten-Free, and how a frustrating affiliate partnership became the catalyst for launching her own product discovery box. We discuss the challenges of sourcing products, scaling fulfillment, and why community-building is the key to subscription success.If you're thinking about starting a subscription box or are in the trenches of growing one, this episode is packed with insights on solving real customer problems, staying true to your niche, and building relationships that drive growth.🔗 Check out Love Me Gluten-Free: https://www.lovemeglutenfree.comSubscribe for more weekly episodes where we talk strategies to grow and retain your subscription brand. https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com#SubscriptionBox #Ecommerce #RetentionMarketing #LoveMeGlutenFree #SubscriptionBusiness

In this episode of Subscription Prescription, we dive into the tactics that actually move the needle on subscription retention. I’m joined by Thomas Lalas, a DTC retention expert who’s worked with brands like Everyday Dose, Obvi, and Livingood Daily.We break down:Why most brands lose customers in the first week (and how to stop it)How to turn your billing reminders into a retention engineThe data-backed importance of early engagement and product educationWhether you’re running a CPG subscription brand or trying to improve retention for your digital offering, this episode gives you practical, proven insights to build a subscription people want to stick with.🔔 Subscribe for more actionable strategies every week.📩 Get the newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com📊 Want an audit of your subscription program? Visit https://thesubscriptiondoc.com

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 LTVWhether you’re just starting out or scaling past 10,000 subscribers, these are the foundations you need to get right.Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights on building, scaling, and retaining in the subscription economy: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

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 itHow to turn cancellation into a retention opportunityWhat personalization really looks like in 2025The role of AI and predictive offers in retentionWhy your tech stack needs to match your retention goals👉 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights on scaling and retaining subscribers: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.comNew 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 typeWhen to let customers control their cadenceWhy flexibility beats automation for long-term retentionThis isn’t just about getting more revenue. It’s about keeping the customers you already worked hard to earn.📩 Want weekly insights like this in your inbox? Subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com🔔 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.🔔 Subscribe for more weekly interviews + insights📩 Get the newsletter at: https://newsletter.thesubscriptiondoc.com

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 spikesBoosting retention with loyalty and billing remindersThe right (and wrong) way to use SMSWhy your onboarding probably sucksHow community, store credit, and proactive CX drive LTVWhether 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 sustainablyWhether 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