Ep 508: How to Scale an Agency: Kyle Hitchcox on Pilothouse's Marketing, Sales, and Content Strategy

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck sits down with Kyle Hitchcox, founding partner at Pilothouse, co-founder of the DTC Newsletter, and now a builder behind Warpdrive, a performance-driven CRO tool. This conversation is a masterclass in how content can power agency growth. Kyle shares how Pilothouse grew from affiliate roots into a 180+ person agency, how DTC media became a top-tier lead source, and how LinkedIn is now driving qualified deal flow. If you're building an agency, running a service business, or scaling a DTC brand, this episode breaks down the tactical frameworks behind Pilothouse’s success.Follow Kyle's LinkedIn Content Journey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylehitchcox/🔑 Key Takeaways:How content became Pilothouse’s #1 client acquisition engineThe real economics behind launching DTC Media and how it paid off in credibility and deal flowWhy media and service offerings must be integrated for long-term growthHow Kyle is using LinkedIn to generate inbound leads and personal brand equityWhy Pilothouse is investing in CRO with Warpdrive to close the loop from click to conversion🛠 Tactical Insights for Operators:Invest early in content that attracts your ideal customer—before you're sellingStructure your sales team with operators who’ve “been there” to keep discovery authentic and strategicUse paid acquisition to grow media, not just your client baseCreate a simple but strong case study pipeline to support outbound and inbound marketingThink in “ecosystems”—media feeds agency, agency feeds productDid you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps0:00 Introduction and new podcast announcement2:00 Building Pilot House from affiliate roots4:00 Early growth strategy with DTC Newsletter10:00 Using Meta ads and LinkedIn to drive leads14:00 ChatGPT as a new inbound channel18:00 Structuring a high-performance sales team22:00 Transition to omnichannel strategy at Pilot House27:00 Hiring lessons and building long-term talent34:00 Scaling with personal branding on LinkedIn39:00 Why B2B content works at low volume41:00 Thoughts on AI, Zuck’s comments and the future of media buyingHashtags#agencygrowth #digitalmarketing #b2bmarketing #mediabuying #ecommercemarketing #d2cpodcast #growthstrategy #linkedinmarketing #chatgptforbusiness #performanceagency Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video