What's in store for 2025! Conferences, Learning Labs, DTC Live On Air... and much more!
Hey there,
I’m back on the laptop after a much-needed Christmas break.
Firstly, congratulations on nearly making it to the end of the official first week back!
We announced our 2025 events plan last year, but to kick things off, here’s a reminder of what’s coming up in the first half of the year at DTC Live.?
DTC Live Learning Labs
In just over a month we will launch our?first?Learning Labs session.
Held once a quarter, these sessions will continue to offer the same intimate and collaborative format, open to up to 40 brands – but with a sharper focus.
Each Learning Lab will dive deep into a specific aspect of growing your online business. Whether it’s mastering customer retention, building an effective tech stack, or driving sales through personalised strategies, every session will be designed to tackle a key area of eCommerce growth.
For our first season it will be all about?Increasing your AOV and conversion rate for 2025.
???The Playhouse, just a short walk from London Bridge and Borough Market!
?? ?13th February 2025 ? 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM (with networking drinks to follow)
What’s on the agenda?
?? Roundtable Workshops:?Work through real challenges with other brands. No fluff—just practical solutions to help you scale.
?? Talks from Leading Brands & Tech Experts:?Learn from those doing it best. Hear directly from top DTC brands and tech innovators on how to boost your AOV and conversion rates.
?? Food, Networking & Inspiration:?Great food, fresh ideas, and a chance to connect with like-minded founders in a relaxed setting.
Ready to take part?
Book your place here.
DTC Live conferences
After two more hugely successful DTC Live London conferences in 2024, we're pleased to confirm our flagship event will be returning to the capital in 2025!
As well as up the country to Manchester and across the sea to NYC (technically this one is in the second half of the year, but thought it’s worth mentioning!)
DTC Live is where eCom and?retail brands come together?with the best tech platforms and service providers – all to help brand owners grow their businesses the right way.
Since day one, DTC Live has grown into one of the UK’s top e-commerce conferences (we even bagged?'Best E-Commerce Event' at the 2023 FlameNCo Ecom Awards).
We’ve had some amazing brand founders share their journeys, and with the way things are going, this is just the beginning.
There’s so much more to come – and we can’t wait for you to be part of it!
Ready to soak up all the incredible insights and connections on offer?
Get your early bird tickets here.
DTC Live on Air – Bringing the best of DTC straight to you
Coming this January – DTC Live on Air!?
It’s your chance to hear from the brand founders and change-makers driving the future of eCom, all from wherever you are.
No need to travel or clear your schedule for a full-day event – just tune in, get inspired, and walk away (or rather close the tab) with insights you can actually use.
Keep an eye on our newsletter?for all the details on upcoming sessions, other events, and exclusive discounts!
Join Us for an Exclusive Evening - The Best in Beauty Brand Banquet
…on February 12th, we’re hosting an intimate dinner for beauty brands that are setting the bar high in 2025!
This exclusive event, designed for established beauty brands, is your opportunity to network, gain industry insights, and build meaningful connections—all over a curated menu of delicious food and drinks.
Held in London at a venue boasting stunning views of Tower Bridge, this evening promises to be great.
Space is limited, so this is an invite-only event, but if you’d like to join us, submit your RSVP for consideration.
Don’t miss this unique chance to share the table with some of the best minds in the beauty industry.?
Secure your place here.
Why team culture can make or break your business
At DTC Live New York, Goele Desmedt stressed that creating a strong team culture is the foundation of success: “You fail as a squad, or you win as a squad.
"It’s not like this is the developer’s fault, this is the project manager’s fault, or this is the CRO’s fault. No. It’s either you win together, or you fail together."
Goele broke down how owning your part and staying accountable lifts the whole team up. “If you’re late with your deliverable or not working in a way that aligns with the team’s expectations and your area of expertise, you’re setting your squad up for failure – and that’s something you want to avoid at all costs.”
At the end of the day, a strong team culture isn’t about avoiding mistakes – it’s about trust, learning, and having each other’s backs. The best teams know it’s all about collective wins and levelling up together.
How to Build a Culture of Accountability
Did you hear about Instagram Trial Reels?? Test new content without the pressure
Ever held back on posting because you weren’t sure how your audience would react? Instagram’s Trial Reels let you try out new ideas by sharing content with non-followers first – giving you the freedom to experiment without risking engagement from your core audience.
领英推荐
If you’ve been wanting to push creative boundaries but worried about it flopping, this update is for you.
Here’s How Trial Reels work
If the reel doesn’t perform how you hoped, no stress – it won’t affect your profile.
Why this feature is a game-changer
?? Take Creative Risks (Without the Anxiety) Testing out new content formats, exploring different niches, or leaning into trends often feels risky – especially when you’re not sure how your core audience will respond. Trial Reels give you the freedom to experiment without fear. If the content resonates with new audiences, great – if not, your followers will never know.
?? Reach New Audiences Trial Reels aren’t just hidden test posts – they’re actively shown to non-followers. This is a prime opportunity to break into new markets, attract fresh eyes, and expand your reach organically.
?? Data-Driven Insights Within 24 hours, you’ll have access to detailed engagement stats. Plus, Instagram provides insights comparing your current trial to past ones – so you’ll always know how your content is stacking up.
?? Effortless Automation If a Trial Reel is performing well, let Instagram auto-publish it to your followers. It’s hands-off, effortless scaling. No second-guessing, no need to constantly monitor – the platform does the work for you.
?? Pro Tip:?Trial Reels stay hidden from your followers during the testing phase, but they may still surface if someone shares the reel, or if it appears?under shared audio, location tags, or filters.
By leveraging Trial Reels, brands can fine-tune their social strategies, unlock new audiences, and stay ahead of content trends?– all without risking their current engagement.
The next time you’re on the fence about posting something, give Trial Reels a go.
Are you a brand looking to connect with other brands? Join our community platform and start collaborate like never before ?
We’re super excited to announce the launch of our?DTC Community Platform this January—a dedicated space for brands like yours to connect with others, whether that be fellow founders or e-commerce and marketing teams.
It’s your chance to share insights, and find the tools you need to scale.
Here’s a closer look at what’s in store:
? Collaborate and connect with purpose
Our platform is built to foster meaningful relationships. Brands can join tailored pods focused on specific industries or goals—whether it’s beauty, fashion, food and beverage, or pre-revenue startups. These pods allow you to connect with like-minded individuals who truly understand your journey.
On the main feed, chat spaces, or within the member directory, you’ll find endless opportunities to meet the right people. Whether it’s brainstorming a new idea, sharing strategies, or partnering on a project, the connections you make here could change the trajectory of your brand.
?? Resources and introductions that make a difference
Running a DTC brand comes with challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone. Our platform offers curated resources, guides, and tools to help you solve problems, scale operations, and achieve your goals.
Need a key contact to help take your idea to the next level? Members can request tailored introductions to industry experts, potential partners, and fellow founders who can help you along the way. It’s all about building a community that works together to succeed.
?? A training academy built for brands and partners
Continuous learning is key to growth, and our training academy is designed to provide exactly that. With workshops, masterclasses, and specialised training sessions led by industry experts and tech partners, you’ll gain actionable insights and expertise you can implement immediately.
Whether it’s understanding new tools, improving your marketing strategies, or optimising operations, the academy ensures you’re always ahead of the curve.
??? Events that inspire and connect
Our events calendar is packed with opportunities for you to connect with other DTC leaders. From in-person gatherings where you can meet face-to-face to online meetups designed for convenience, there’s something for everyone.
Want to showcase your brand’s own events? Members have the chance to feature their events on the platform, giving you added visibility and the opportunity to engage with an even wider audience.
Ready to join this one-of-a-kind community?
Sign up here.
You’re not late! The role of data in CRO success: lessons from Whelehans Wines
It’s the time of year when plans are made, goals are set, and you’re thinking about how to make your store more profitable. Maybe you’re even dreaming of doubling last year’s revenue. If CRO is on your mind, you might be asking, “What should I focus on?” The answer is clear: data.
Data is the backbone of CRO success. It’s what separates guesswork from informed decision-making. By understanding user behaviors, identifying friction points, and testing solutions, brands can make changes that drive real results.
Case in point: Whelehans Wines Whelehans Wines, a celebrated Irish wine retailer, is proof of what’s possible with data-driven CRO. Despite their award-winning service, they faced challenges online. Low engagement on their homepage and key funnel pages, combined with poor mobile navigation, led to lower click-through rates (CTR) and fewer transactions.
Using data as their guide, the team uncovered critical insights:
The Data-driven solutions Armed with these insights, the RCA team developed hypotheses and tested them:
The updated design was tested against the original using?Shoplift, and the results were extraordinary:
Key Takeaway: Data drives CRO success... Whelehans Wines’ journey highlights the transformative power of data. By identifying friction points and testing solutions based on real user behavior, they created impactful changes that boosted engagement and revenue.
Start 2025 with data-driven action
The earlier you test, the sooner you’ll uncover what works (and what doesn’t). CRO isn’t about luck; it’s about making the most of the data available to you and turning insights into action.
Ready to transform your site??
Let’s talk about how we can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions for 2025.?Click here to book a FREE CRO call.
That's it for this week!?
Thank you for reading :)?
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We'll be back with more growth strategies and insights for eCom and tech brands next week.