Why Most Apparel Brands Struggle With ROAS - And Why Adding a Podcast Can Change Everything
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Since the IOS changes 4 years ago apparel brands have been fighting an uphill battle when it comes to acquiring new customers. Paid ads have become more expensive, less effective, and harder to scale. The average apparel brand is now seeing a return on ad spend between 2x and 2.5x for new customers, which, for most businesses, means barely breaking even. Increasingly, paid media is becoming a retention play, not an acquisition strategy.
That is why we wanted to share what we found with the Liberty Risk Podcast, and how that info can help you with your business.
While most apparel-only brands are struggling just to break even at 2x ROAS, we are consistently seeing above 5x ROAS. Same platforms. Same ad costs. Same economic climate. The difference is not luck, better ad strategy, or bigger budgets.
The difference is that Liberty Risk is not just an apparel brand. They're a community brand with a podcast at the center.
When customers discover Liberty Risk, they're not seeing a jacket or a hat for the first time. They are already familiar with the voices behind it, they understand the message, they get the inside jokes, and they feel connected to the guests and the stories behind the designs. They're not just buying a product. They're joining something.
This is the competitive edge most apparel brands are missing.
Why Podcasting Changes the Economics of an Apparel Brand
Social media may get attention, but podcasting builds depth. A podcast gives your brand time, personality, voice, philosophy, and emotional connection. The average podcast listener spends between 30 and 70 minutes per episode. That time compounds into trust, familiarity, and loyalty that no social ad can replicate.
When apparel becomes story-driven, it changes why people buy.
They're not purchasing a shirt. They're purchasing. alignment. Membership. Recognition. Identity.
This is why apparel lines built around community-based content consistently outperform apparel-only brands in both ROAS and long-term customer loyalty.
The Co-Branding Power of a Podcast
Many brands focus on audience building through influencer campaigns or paid ads. Podcasting opens a more strategic path: guest-based audience sharing.
Think of your closet. You probably have 25 or more brands in it, each attached to a lifestyle, sport, culture, or story.
Hosting guests aligned with your brand values allows you to:
• Introduce new audiences organically
• Design co-branded apparel or capsule drops inspired by each guest
• Cross-promote to both communities at once
• Share discount codes between audiences that build both at the same time
• Capture emails, attention, and loyalty that outlive the campaign
This is not one-time influencer exposure. It is long-term co-branding.
The apparel becomes a wearable collaboration between communities.
Podcast + Apparel = Multiple Revenue Streams
Once your podcast has traction, apparel becomes just one of several revenue streams. Podcasts can also generate income through multiple channels:
• YouTube: about $18 per 1,000 views on a video
• Spotify streaming: about $15 per 1,000 streams
• Apple Podcasts: sponsor-based, $25-$60 dollars per 1,000 listens
• Ad networks such as Libsyn, Megaphone, and Acast: $25-$50 dollars CPM
• Patreon: recurring monthly membership income
• Private sponsorship deals: often 5,000 to 25,000 dollars per campaign
The shift is significant. You are no longer relying solely on apparel sales, seasonal releases, or paid ad campaigns. You operate as a brand-media hybrid with multiple channels for engagement and income.
Why This Matters for Apparel Brands in 2026 and Beyond
Brands that will win in the next decade are not just clothing companies. They are voice-led, story-driven communities. They don't just produce "products". They produce connection.
Paid ads can bring traffic. Story brings loyalty. Podcasts help brands do what ads never can: keep attention, build familiarity, and make customers feel like part of something.
A podcast is not only content. It is community infrastructure.
When You Are Ready to Build More Than a Product
At Industry Threadworks, we don't just screen print apparel. We help brands create product lines, collaborations, and physical merchandise that grow out of real stories, voices, and communities.
If you are building a brand with a message, a mission, or a perspective, we would love to help bring it to life through apparel, custom accessories, co-branded drops, and fulfillment-ready launches that support long-term brand growth.
Hit the "contact us" button up top and get in touch, let's about how you can close the ROAS gap and build a bridge to your audience. 🎥