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Also known as: LTV, CLV, CLTV

Customer Lifetime Value

ConceptualMetricsFinance

Definition

Customer Lifetime Value: Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) is the total revenue a business can expect from a single customer account over the entire relationship. LTV is calculated using average revenue per account, gross margin, and customer lifespan. Understanding LTV helps determine how much to spend on acquisition.

Example Usage

β€œWith an LTV of $3,000 and CAC of $500, we have a healthy 6:1 LTV:CAC ratio.”

Common Misconceptions

LTV is just revenue times months. It should account for gross margin, not just revenue.
LTV is fixed. It changes as you improve retention and expand revenue.
All customers have the same LTV. Segment customers to understand different LTV profiles.

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