DTC876: Videos Spark Joy, Q4 Prep, and Post-Click Marketing Blueprint

Good morning, 

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s DTC:

✨ Add Hopecore to Your Videos
Why joyful content keeps viewers hooked.

‍✏️ Q4 Prep Starts Now!
Careful planning and execution make all the difference.

‍🚨 Daily Tariff Update
Trade tensions between the U.S. and India.

‍🧠 2025 Blueprint for Execution
‍Steal this repeatable revenue-driving framework!

You’re reading this newsletter along with new subscribers from: Healthy Pet Co., Lorena Canals, and Wayback Burgers. 👋

🏄 Millions Of Shoppers Turn To Walmart.Com Every Summer For Travel Must-Haves, Outdoor Essentials And Seasonal Gear

🍳 NexGrill, an outdoor cooking and heating brand, joined Walmart Marketplace in 2022. 

With access to millions of customers, zero monthly fees, and powerful ecommerce tools, they grew from a small startup to a global brand in just two years. 📈

Today, they’re a Pro Seller with nearly triple the SKUs and a 200% YOY revenue increase. 💥

👉 Now’s your chance to follow their lead, and as a new seller you’re eligible to save up to $75,000 in New-Seller Savings, Walmart’s incentive program going on now.  

It’s their biggest offer ever and includes: 

• Up to 75% off base referral fees*  
• Up to 50% off storage fees and 25% off fulfillment fees** (a $2K value)  
• $1K in advertising credits with Walmart Connect***  

Don’t wait—New Seller Savings runs through January 31, 2026, but the sooner you start, the more you can save. 💸 

*Conditions apply. 

🎧 Your Future Self Will Thank You: Q4 Prep Edition

In this episode of Ad-venturous, Aves explores the critical importance of early preparation for Q4 and how creative strategies can drive profitable outcomes during the busiest time of the year.

She explains why Q4 is a make-or-break period for many brands, and how meticulous planning now is essential for a smooth and successful holiday season. 

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Importance of Q4 Prep: Proper execution during this period is crucial for profitability.
  
  "It’s really time to step up and think about what you need to make Q4 successful right now."
  
  
• Stocking the Pond: Learn why it’s important to prime your audience early and get interest without overspending on ads later.
  
  "If you have eyeballs that you don’t have to pay for during the busy season, it will make all the difference in how your Q4 shakes out."
  
  
• Building Your Email List: Aves shares how well-timed pop-ups, purchase sign-ups, and using retention strategies will ensure your pond is well-stocked.
  
  "Building out your email list is probably the easiest to achieve."
  
  
• Reviewing Past Creative: Analyze what worked for your brand in previous years. This data is key to developing a successful Q4 creative strategy.
  
  "Stop looking at what other people are doing. Focus on what actually worked for your brand last year."
  
  

👉 Listen to the full episode with Aves here.

📌 Gen Z Males Are Flocking To Pinterest

Pinterest’s male user base, especially Gen Z men, is growing rapidly. 

Men now make up over one-third of Pinterest’s global users, signalling a shift in the platform’s demographics and content preferences.

This presents new opportunities for brands that have traditionally focused on female audiences.

☕ Lavazza Partnership With Walmart Marketplace & WFS Brews Rapid Growth 

📈  Lavazza, a coffee brand, saw more than 200% growth in Walmart Marketplace sales within 18 months of leveraging Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS).*  

*Data provided by Lavazza.  

 Since joining WFS, Lavazza has: 

• 😎 Improved efficiency 
• 📦 Improved on-time delivery to customers 
• 💵 Reinvested in marketing and advertising 

💪 Let WFS do the heavy lifting while you focus on scaling your way.

📦 Your Daily Tariff Check-In

Whether it’s a minor tweak or a major shift, we’ll keep you posted on the latest tariff changes—so you’re always in the know. 

August 8, 2025 update:

• India Rushes Export Shipments To U.S.
  
  • Indian exporters are accelerating shipments to the U.S. in hopes of avoiding the elevated tariff which comes into effect later this month.
    
  • Trump stated that no further trade negotiations with India will occur until the tariff dispute is resolved. 
    

Keep in mind: These details are current as of writing but could change before this reaches your inbox.

💰 Connect With Your Audience Using Humor and Authenticity 

No one wants to create content that annoys their audience.

For marketers, there’s nothing worse than producing something that sparks eye-rolls or worse, disdain.

Cringe-worthy content doesn’t drive conversions. It drives people away.

On the flip side, there’s no greater win than an ad comment section filled with positive feedback.

In a world where the internet is often ruthless, winning people over while selling to them is a serious achievement.

So, how do brands hit the engagement jackpot?

By showing up with humor and authenticity.

Constantly telling people they could be happier, better-looking, or more successful if they just bought your product? That message gets old, fast.

Aves from Pilothouse and podcast host of Ad-venturous says the trick is ditching that old playbook.

In today’s attention economy, the goal is to spark joy and entertain, not just sell.

“If I can make my team laugh with a piece of content, then it’ll likely make someone else out there laugh too.”

And the data backs it up:

Reels with humorous audio increase the odds of someone watching beyond 5 seconds.

Brands like LOEWE are doing this well, infusing their video content with a sense of play, while still showcasing their product in a way that feels relatable and shareable.

The takeaway?

Make watching your content fun, and brand affinity will follow.

In difficult times, laughter is more than welcome. It’s memorable.

Spark emotions like joy, curiosity, and amusement, and your audience won’t just stick around, they’ll be more likely to buy.

[Screenshot via @kylehitchcox / LinkedIn]

Pilothouse has reviewed 283 DTC and retail brands so far this year.

The biggest takeaway? Most are stuck in the tactical spin cycle or can’t bridge strategy and execution.

Winning brands follow a documented system and this one has helped Pilothouse clients generate over $1B in revenue. 👇

Want the Post-Click Marketing Blueprint and repeatable testing framework?

Comment TEST on Kyle’s post and connect with him on LinkedIn.

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🤫 Walmart’s latest New-Seller Savings is too huge to miss. Be sure to take advantage of this unprecedented offer and the endless opportunities on Walmart.com. *Conditions apply. Sign up here. *

📥 Got a B2B Biz? 

Join dozens of B2B companies finding demand-gen success through our niche community of 150k brand leaders and founders this year. Talk to our team to learn more.

Have you heard our latest podcasts?

• 🐶 Plufl’s TikTok Strategy, Tariff Setback, and Product Pivot
• 💡 AKNF 530: Copy Pilothouse’s Creative System for Q4 Scale
• 🦸 Ad-venturous 12: Predict Relevance To Create Resonance 
• 🎨 TWBERP 43: Campaign Emails That Inspire, Not Blend In 
• 🍷 Maker Wine’s Strategy: How The Canned Wine Brand Grew
• 📸 Ad-venturous 11: UGC v.s. CGC, v.s. EGC 

Don’t forget to rate the DTC Podcast on Apple (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

DTC Newsletter is written by Rebecca Knight and Frances Du. Edited by Eric Dyck.

Please note that items in this newsletter marked with * contain sponsored content.