Most DTC brands at $50K-$500K/mo are leaving 20-40% of their revenue on the table because they're either not running email/SMS at all, or they set up a basic welcome flow two years ago and forgot about it.

Here are the 5 flows that actually move the needle — and the mistakes I see constantly:

1. Welcome Series (not just a coupon)

Most brands send a single "here's 10% off" email and call it a day. Your welcome series should be 5-7 emails that build trust, tell your brand story, and create urgency. The discount should come at the END, not the beginning.

2. Post-Purchase (the most neglected flow)

The 48 hours after someone buys is when they're most engaged with your brand. This is where you cross-sell, set expectations, and turn a one-time buyer into a fan. Most brands send a shipping confirmation and nothing else.

3. Browse Abandonment (not just cart abandonment)

Cart abandonment gets all the attention, but browse abandonment captures people earlier in the funnel — and there are WAY more of them. If someone looked at a product 3 times without buying, that's a signal.

4. Winback (timing is everything)

If you're sending a "we miss you" email 90 days after purchase, you're too late. The right timing depends on your product's natural repurchase cycle. A skincare brand should trigger at 25-30 days, not 90.

5. VIP Segmentation (stop blasting your whole list)

Your top 10% of customers are worth 5-10x more than your average buyer. They should get different messaging, early access, and a reason to feel special. Blasting the same promo to everyone is how you kill engagement.

If you're a DTC brand doing $50K-$500K/mo and want us to audit your retention stack for free, reach out.