Launching a storage brand from wholesale to DTC
When launching a storage brand by shifting from wholesale to DTC, you lack the direct customer relationships you need for growth. You have been relying on retailers to do the selling, but now you need to drive the traffic. To succeed, use a managed content network to build your own direct audience and reach customers without depending on retail partners.
in one network
from your videos
go live
Storage and organization brand, launch stage: shifting from wholesale to DTC.
The wholesale trap
You know your product is great because retailers have been stocking it. But now you are going DTC and you realize you have zero customers of your own. Your biggest challenge is building a brand audience from scratch. You cannot just wait for people to find you on the web. You need to be proactive and build a direct line to your customers. This transition is difficult, but it is necessary if you want to capture more of the value you are creating.
What is a managed content network
A managed content network is a set of many brand-owned Instagram pages that post the brand's existing videos many times a day from real iPhones, built and run end to end by a provider such as TIDE, so organic reach grows with the number of pages instead of headcount or ad spend. This creates a direct connection with your audience. You are the source of the content, you are the one interacting, and you are building a loyal following that is directly connected to your store.
The power of direct reach
By using the network to reach your audience, you bypass the middleman and build a real relationship. This is the foundation of a successful DTC brand. The cost to run this is about the cost of one marketing hire, which is a small price to pay for the control and growth it provides. You can now sell your products directly, capture customer data, and build a brand that people actually want to buy from, all without relying on retail partners.
Getting started
Send your provider your best product photography, lifestyle videos, and any marketing collateral you have from your wholesale days. The provider will then translate this into a social media strategy and begin building your network. This allows you to focus on your website and direct-to-consumer logistics while the network handles the heavy lifting of building your audience. It is the most effective way to start your DTC journey and gain the control you need to build a successful brand.
One account vs a network
| One brand account | Managed content network | |
|---|---|---|
| Pages | 1 | Dozens, each with its own angle on storage and organization |
| Posts a day | 1 to 3 | Over 100 |
| Reach | The same followers | New pockets of buyers every day |
| Who runs it | Your team | The provider, end to end |
| Your part | Everything | Send content |
What you would send
Anything you already make for storage and organization counts.
Take control of your brand and customers; use an owned content network to build your DTC presence from day one.
Put your products on 50 pages.
Tell us what your storage and organization brand sells and how you get customers today. We'll show you a live network and tell you straight if it fits. About the cost of one marketing hire.
Questions brands ask next
Will my retail partners get mad?
It depends on your contracts, but most brands find that their DTC growth actually helps to raise awareness for their products everywhere.
Do I need a new website?
You need a website that is optimized for DTC sales, which is different from what you would have for wholesale.
Can I still sell through retail?
Yes. The DTC brand building you do will only make your retail presence stronger by creating more demand for your products.