The Smartest Amazon Seller

Scott is joined by Jed Rawson, CEO of Pirawna, who shares a gripping tale of intrigue and perseverance in the face of adversity. Jed recounts a recent incident where his team encountered stolen goods being sold on Amazon, totaling a staggering $4 million in inventory. Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with law enforcement, they uncovered an organized crime operation responsible for potentially $50-100 million in stolen goods.Amazon's swift response led to the shutdown of several accounts linked to the illegal activity, marking one of their largest takedowns of fraudulent sellers to date.Jed discusses supply chain security measures, emphasizing the importance of GPS tracking containers and verifying driver identities. He also highlights Pi Agency's success in assisting brands to exit for significant sums, driven by strategies informed by past failures and focused on long-term trends. Episode Notes:00:13 - Jed Rawson Introduction01:23 - Mafia on Amazon 04:00 - BuyBox Hijacked 06:25 - Genesis of SmartScout 07:00 - Stolen Inventory Investigation 11:50 - Law Enforcement and Takedown Operations 14:40 - Learning from Amazon Escalations 16:10 - Organized Criminal Operation and Impact on Brands 21:15 - Precautions and Preventive Measures 27:40 - Brand ExitsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pirawna/ Website: https://www.pirawna.com/Related Post: The Amazon Appeals Dilemma: DIY or Delegate

Steven Pope from My Amazon Guy discusses strategies for profiting on Amazon. With over a decade of experience, Steven shares insights on navigating challenges and evolving business models.He covers topics such as brand registry loss, retail arbitrage, and mitigating compliance risks. Emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks, Steven provides actionable advice for sellers to enhance their success on Amazon.Episode Notes:00:23 - Steven Pope Introduction03:44 - Starting an Agency06:18 - Amazon Account Suspension Policy12:50 - White Hat vs. Black Hat13:55 - Brand Registry Process15:40 - Scaling and Prep16:37 - Mixing Retail Arbitrage and Wholesale19:34 - Succeeding Using SmartScout19:48 - Finding your Zone of Genius21:51 - Mistakes and Regrets25:23 - Inventory Manager for Amazon27:53 - SmartScout Trial29:14 - Reselling Compliance Risk30:30 - Hijackers, Black Hat Tactics, Stolen Goods31:50 - Improving Click-Through Rate“Images are for people and copy is for robots” - Steven LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/steven-popeWebsite: myamazonguy.com | myrefundguy.comYouTube: youtube.com/myamazonguyRelated Post: Amazon PPC Optimization: Tips for More Clicks and Conversions

Scott shares his insights on recent happenings in the Amazon space, including standout companies such as AdGrantsGenie, AIA Assets, Deltologic, and a personal story highlighting the challenges sellers face. Episode notes: 01:10 - AIA Assets03:00 - AdGrantsGenie04:00 - Deltologic04:40 - Connected Commerce Council05:25 - Junglytics06:10 - Scott’s Best Amazon StoryRelated Post: Advertising Solutions by Amazon: A Closer Look into Amazon Ads

Scott Needham, accompanied by e-commerce expert Sabir Semerkant, dives deep into the ever-evolving world of online commerce.With over 25 years of experience, Sabir shares invaluable insights, including his unique “8-D Method" for business growth, honed through ventures such as revitalizing Vitamin Shoppe's website from bankruptcy to success.The discussion covers crucial aspects such as optimizing website performance, strategic pricing, and the importance of cohesive team dynamics, emphasizing the significance of adapting to AI advancements and focusing on revenue per session rather than traditional conversion rates.Episode notes:00:15 - Sabir Semerkant Introduction 02:05 - Sabir’s Background 03:55 - Good and Bad Information 04:40 - Vitamin Shoppe 05:15 - Test, Learn, and Optimize 07:05 - Ecommerce is a Mix of Different Practices 08:00 - Co-founding VaynerCommerce 10:20 - How Sabir Met Gary V. 13:50 - 8-D Method 14:55 - Performance Optimzation 18:40 - Consumer Attention Span 23:20 - Premium Pricing 25:25 - Product Positioning and Brand Building 29:40 - Story Telling 32:50 - Customer UX 35:20 - Retargetting and Remarketing 40:20 - Logistics LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/sabirsemerkantWebsites:growthbysabir.com/workshop/growthbysabir.com (GROWTH by Sabir) growthbysabir.com/liveshow (#ThisWeekWithSabir Live) medium.com/worklifebalancebysabir (#WorkLifeBalanceBySab)Related Post: Pricing Strategies for Wholesale Sellers on Amazon

Scott interviews Tarik, the founder of M19, an advertising technology tool for Amazon sellers. They discuss various topics related to advertising on Amazon, including organic rank awareness, retail data awareness, inventory awareness, and variation advertising. Tarik shares insights into how M19 helps sellers optimize their advertising campaigns and make data-driven decisions. He also discusses the importance of conversion rate and how it can impact advertising costs. Overall, the conversation provides valuable information for Amazon sellers looking to improve their advertising strategies. Episode Notes: 00:35 - Introduction and Background 02:00 - Building M19 and Getting Customers 05:30 - Organic Rank Awareness 08:47  - Checking rankings 12:18  - Inventory Awareness 14:45 - Advertising Awareness 19:15 - Conversion Data 22:54 - Marketplace Preferences 24:17 - How to Reach M19 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/berradatarik Related Post: Advertising Solutions by Amazon: A Closer Look into Amazon Ads

Scott Needham interviews Michael, the CEO and founder of SellCord, a Walmart agency. They discuss the growth and success of Walmart as an e-commerce platform, the reasons for brands to work with Walmart, and the opportunities for success in different categories. Michael shares insights on achieving category success on Walmart, optimizing listings, and using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). He also discusses Walmart's future and its competition with Amazon. Episode Notes: 00:30 -  Introduction and Evolution of Walmart E-commerce 02:23 - Michael's Insights on Walmart in 202303:56 -  Launching and Succeeding on Walmart04:03 - Understanding Walmart’s Style Guides and Listing Optimization06:14 - Brand Success Stories and Strategies on Walmart07:40 - The Journey from Online Marketplace to In-Store Presence15:38 - Future Prospects for Walmart as an Online Marketplace18:09 - Key Tactics for Optimizing Walmart Listings19:50 - Walmart Tools and Data Utilization Strategies20:38 - Understanding and Leveraging Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Website: https://www.sellcord.co/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lebhar/

Scott breaks down the latest news in the Amazon space. Learn his reactions to new FBA Fees and the details of Thrasio’s Bankruptcy Filing. Plus, some funny takes on the 17 people you will meet at the Prosper event. Episode Notes: 00:35 - Podcast Coverage01:15 - Prosper Update and Scott’s Favorite Audience02:50 - The 17 People you will meet @ Prosper03:15 - The Event Season04:30 - Natural Products Expo West 202405:45 - SmartScout Expo West Brand Report07:05 - Thrasio Bankruptcy09:55 - Tweets about Thrasio’s Bankrupt10:15 - Optimizing FBA Fees Email: scott@smartscout.com Related Post: Fulfillment Fee (FBA Fulfillment Fee)

In this podcast episode, Scott Needham interviews David Zimmermann from the Amazon Tools League channel. They discuss the process of analyzing Amazon tools and how David evaluates different categories of tools, such as PPC automation and profitability trackers. They also talk about the challenges of comparing AI features in different tools and the importance of considering cost in tool evaluation. David shares his experience with tracking the tool landscape and how some tools have faded away over time. They also touch on the topic of newsletters and the importance of building an email list for e-commerce brands. Episode notes: 00:15 - David Zimmermann Introduction 01:40 - David Zimmermann Tools Comparison 04:45 - Comparing AI 5:45 - Automation Features 07:02 - Scoring Tool Features 09:00 - David’s Favorite Category 10:15 - Finding the Tools 11:00 - How Returns Affect Profitability 13:25 - Picking Worth It Demos 14:14 - Tools That Faded Away 15:20 - Analyzing Newsletters 19:35 - Conclusion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddzim/Website: https://courses.ddzim.me/courses Related Post: The 5 Best SmartScout Tools for Amazon Wholesale Sellers

In this episode, Scott dives into the art of inventory management, drawing lessons from early encounters with hits like Elf on the Shelf, Halloween products, and Barbie dolls. He explores the fine line between stocking out and overstocking and discusses why stocking out can sometimes be good. Plus, Scott tackles upcoming 2024 FBA fees and shares strategies for thriving in today's ever-evolving market. Tune in for expert tips on mastering inventory and maximizing profitability. Episode Notes: 00:30 - Early Lessons from Amazon Selling01:35 - The Elf on the Shelf03:05 - Halloween04:25 - Barbie Princess06:20 - Why Stocking Out Can Be a Good Thing07:05 - Stocking Out vs Overstocking09:20 - Greed vs Caution Related Post: How To Sell on Amazon Without Inventory

Scott Needham interviews Michal B. Oron, the CEO and Co-Founder of Fortunet.net, the first investment bank focused on e-commerce businesses.They discuss the rise and fall of aggregators in the Amazon marketplace, the diversification of acquirers, and the importance of benchmarking for Amazon sellers. They also explore key metrics such as ACOS (Average Cost of Sale), repeat customer rate, market share, and the Inventory Performance Index (IPI).Michal shares insights into how these metrics impact the attractiveness and potential of a business. Overall, they are optimistic about the market and see a growing appetite for deals in the e-commerce space. Episode Notes:01:05 - Michal Introduction 01:30 - The Rise and Fall of Aggregators 04:05 - Benchmarking 07:50 - Understanding ACOS 11:20 - Repeat Customer Rate 17:00 - Market Share 19:00 - The Significance of Market Share20:55 - Inventory Performance Index (IPI)Website: https://fortunet.net/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michal-baumwald-oron-9b604620Related Post: Thrasio vs Perch: Which Amazon Aggregator Is Right for You?

In this episode, Scott interviews Michael Kaufman, an expert in e-commerce and Amazon selling, about the importance and impact of offering a lifetime warranty as a strategy to build brand identity and customer loyalty. They discuss how this approach can differentiate a brand in a competitive market, foster trust with customers, and contribute to long-term success on Amazon. Additionally, they share tips and advice for sellers interested in implementing a similar warranty strategy in their businesses. Episode Notes: 00:25 - Michael Kaufman Introduction 01:10 - How Michael Started 03:45 - Lifetime Warranty 04:55 - Building Credibility from Reviews 06:05 - Fulfilling Claims 08:40 - Organic Product Launch 09:50 - Conversion from Lifetime Warranty 11:15 - Putting the Warranty in the Main Image 12:05 - Tricking the Amazon Algorithm 12:55 - Lifetime Value of Customers 15:25 - Thinking Like a Customer 16:10 - Warranty Registration 17:35 - Utilizing Mailers LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/protuffproductsWebsite: https://brandfortresshq.com/ Related Post: 8 Strategies To Boost Your Conversion Rates on Amazon

Scott Needham interviews Dylan Lam of Omirank about building a long-term product that turns into a brand. They discuss the evolution of product launches and the concept of treating Amazon as a channel rather than a business model.Dylan shares his future-proof product launch formula, which involves triple validation through Amazon research, dropshipping research, and Kickstarter. They delve into the preparation and launch stages of Kickstarter, as well as the importance of generating traffic and building a community.Dylan provides examples of successful Kickstarter campaigns and highlights the cash flow advantage and flexibility of launching on Kickstarter. They also discuss fulfillment options and the assistance provided by Omirank in the product launch process.Episode Notes:00:00 - Introduction and Goal of the Podcast01:10 - Guest Introduction01:38 - The Evolution of Product Launches03:10 - Treating Amazon as a Channel06:49 - The Future-Proof Product Launch Formula07:16 - Dropshipping Research08:43 - The Kickstarter Step10:26 - Preparation and Launch Stages of Kickstarter13:33 - Generating Traffic on Kickstarter15:33 - Successful Kickstarter Examples19:18 - Cash Flow Advantage and Launching on Amazon21:56 - Fulfillment of Kickstarter Orders24:08 - Assistance in the Product Launch Process26:41 - Building a Brand and Owning Traffic28:01 - ConclusionLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dylan-kenneth-lam-796778281Related Posts: The Ultimate Checklist for Launching a Product on Amazon

In this episode, Scott Needham interviews Liz Saunders, the founder of Fluencer Fruit, a tool for Amazon influencers.Liz shares her background as an Amazon seller and her journey to building Fluencer Fruit.She discusses the need for tools in the Amazon Influencer Program and the challenges of marketing the tool. Liz emphasizes the importance of video in Amazon listings and how it can increase sales and reduce returns.She also discusses Amazon's response to video trends and the future of the Amazon Influencer Program. The episode concludes with Liz sharing how sellers can use Fluencer Fruit for optimization and her contact information for further questions.Episode Notes:00:00 - Introduction and Background01:00 - Building Fluencer Fruit03:02 - The Need for Tools in the Amazon Influencer Program04:11 - Marketing Challenges05:24 - The Importance of Video in Amazon Listings08:19 - The Impact of Video on Sales and Returns09:47 - Amazon's Response to Video Trends13:20 - How Sellers Can Get Videos on Their Listings14:14 - Case Study: Increase in Sales with Influencer Content18:13 - Using Fluencer Fruit for Optimization19:27 - The Future of the Amazon Influencer Program21:24 - Expansion of the Influencer Program Internationally22:35 - Closing RemarksLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liz-saundersWebsite: www.fluencerfruit.comRelated Post: Leveraging User-Generated Content to Boost Amazon Sales

Scott Needham interviews Tom, the Co-Founder of Lonesome Labs, about its HighFive tool. It is a free tool that helps Amazon sellers request reviews for their products in a compliant way.HighFive connects with a seller's Amazon account and allows them to choose when Amazon sends the review request email to customers.Tom explains the importance of reviews for sellers and how HighFive can help them get more recent reviews, which can improve their product rankings. He also discusses the future plans for Lonesome Labs and the value of offering HighFive as a free tool.Episode Notes:01:10 - Tom Piamenta Introduction 01:20 - The Value of Product Reviews 02:20 - Lonesome Labs’s HighFive 04:30 - Best Interval for Reviews 05:00 - Review Limitations 06:00 - Calculating Success Rates 07:00 - Getting Reviews for Free 08:00 - New Tools to Watch Out From Lonesome Labs 09:00 - Micro SaaS 09:40 - Review Manipulation and Getting Suspended LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tompiamenta/Website: www.lonesomelabs.comRelated Post: Amazon Variation Listing: An Ultimate Guide [2023]

In this episode, Scott is with Will Haire, CEO & Founder at BellaVix. They explore the intricacies of Amazon Vendor Central, including topics such as net PPM, vendor profit calculations, co-op fees, challenges, and benefits of being a vendor. Learn about liquidation impact, reduced purchase orders, advertising strategies, vendor finances, and the future of Vendor Central. The conversation delves into maximizing profitability, chargeback recovery, and the unique experiences vendors face, particularly during Q4. They also shared valuable insights into streaming TV advertising and emerging opportunities on platforms such as Snap and Instagram. Additionally, Scott underscores the significance of inventory discipline, utilizing prime exclusive discounts, and addresses the issue of handling stale inventory. Episode Notes: 00:21 - Will Haire Introduction00:55 - The T5 and Sales Days01:55 - Streaming TV Advertising04:00 - Placement and Targeting05:40 - Vendor Central07:00 - Calculating Profit Margin08:30 - Co-op Fees and Other Costs12:05 - Contribution Margin12:40 - Impact of Liquidating Products15:00 - Paying for Advertising as a Vendor17:25 - The Future of Vendor Central19:35 - Closing Remarks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/willhaireWebsite: bellavix.comX: MarketingChimp1 Related Post: How to Get Leverage on Amazon Vendor Negotiations [2024]

In this episode of The Smartest Amazon Seller Podcast, host Scott Needham interviews Youval and Andrew, two experienced professionals with backgrounds in Amazon selling and brand management.They discuss various topics related to selling on Amazon, focusing on advertising, data analysis, and overall business growth. Plus, insights and experiences - highlighting the importance of a healthy Amazon business, measuring incrementality, and utilizing data to optimize ad campaigns.Learn the features and benefits of Amazon marketing cloud and discover valuable strategies to succeed on the platform. Episode Notes:00:40 - Youval Peltier and Andrew Tookey Introduction 04:13 - Empowering Brands 07:34 - The Complexity of Subcategories 08:06 - Factors That Contribute to a Healthy Amazon Business 09:46 - What is Incrementality? 11:14 - How to Measure Incrementality 11:50 - Stitching Data from Different Sources 14:41 - Brand Affinity 15:36 - Amazon Marketing Cloud 18:47 - Media-Driven Customer vs Organically-Driven Customer 20:22 - How to Deliver Optimal Results 23:13 - Advantage of Working Outside of Amazon 27:35 - The Omnichannel SolutionLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/youval-peltier-74586319 | linkedin.com/in/andrew-tookey-64180623Website: iderive.comRelated Post: Advertising Solutions by Amazon: A Closer Look into Amazon Ads

Unit economics assesses the profitability and sustainability of a business at the individual product or service level. By analyzing the costs and revenues associated with each unit sold, a company can determine whether its core offering is financially viable.Rob, an entrepreneur at I'm The One Podcast, emphasizes the importance of product selection and unit economics in determining the success of a brand. He also discusses the changing landscape of selling on Amazon - highlighting the need for sellers to constantly evolve and adapt, and have a platform-first mentality by figuring out what Amazon wants.Plus, learn what Rob has to say about multi-channel sales and the future of TikTok shops. Episode Notes:00:20 - Robb Green Introduction01:49 - Best Part of Running Brands02:38 - Product Selection and Unit Economics04:31 - Strategy Shift05:30 - Platform-first Mentality06:21 - Using AI to Understand Customer Sentiment07:10 - Using Data to Make Better and Quality Decisions10:11 - Improvement on SQP Data12:50 - What do Eight-figure Sellers Worry About?15:13 - Allocating Time and Money for Multi-channel Sales16:27 - The Future of TikTok Shops17:45 - SmartScout for TikTok20:51 - What Does TikTok Shops Want?Website: https://imtheone.com/about-us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@imtheonepodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/imtheonepodcast/Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/people/Im-The-One-Podcast/X: https://twitter.com/imtheonepodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imtheonepodcast/Related Post: How to Sell on Amazon from Alibaba: A Beginner’s Guide

Tax Compliance, Business Performance Analysis, Budgeting and Planning, Estimated Sales Velocity, and Risk Management are just some of the reasons why Accounting is crucial for any Amazon seller.Ryan Hurley, the founder and lead developer of SellAnalytics, a software that helps Amazon sellers manage their accounting and inventory, teaches us the importance of accurate accounting, the limitations of existing tools such as A2X and QuickBooks, and how Sell Analytics offers a comprehensive solution for Amazon sellers.Episode Notes:00:39 - Ryan Hurley Introduction 03:56 - First Product Sold 04:11 - Solving Accounting Problems 05:14 - Tying Inventory into Cashflow 06:47 - Inventory value on QuickBooks 07:18 - What Do You Need To Know Before Filing 07:56 - Trial Balance 09:31 - QuickBooks vs Spreadsheets 10:01 - Why Bypass QuickBooks 14:01 - Learning How to Operate an Accounting Firm 15:21 - Building Other Sales Channels 15:59 - Learning How Much to Reinvest in the Business Website: https://sellanalytix.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-hurleyRelated Post: 5 Ways To Turn Your Finances Into a Business Strength

In this episode, host Scott Needham welcomes Corey Ganim, an expert in Amazon wholesale, to discuss the power of delegation and hiring virtual employees.Corey shares his experience of leveraging overseas talents to delegate tasks that don't move the needle in his business. He emphasizes the importance of hiring employees who are willing to challenge and provide valuable input, rather than just being yes-men.From managing Seller Central to handling administrative work, Corey provides practical tips on finding and training the right virtual assistants. Episode Notes:00:29 - Corey Ganim Introduction 01:00 - Creating Content for Wholesale Sellers on LinkedIn 02:25 - The Power of Delegation 02:50 - Screening and Finding Talents 06:40 - Common Hiring Mistakes 09:00 - Managing Seller Central 09:40 - AMZ United as a Participant 12:40 - Percentage of Brand New Amazon Sellers 14:10 - Opening Up New Accounts 16:50 - Navigating Distributor RelationshipsLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/corey-ganimWebsite: gobrandrocket.comX: @GanimCorey

Amazon Vendor Negotiations are critical for vendors aiming to establish a successful and mutually beneficial relationship with the platform. A well-negotiated agreement can contribute to increased sales, improved visibility, and a stronger position within the competitive Amazon marketplace.Join Scott and Martin Heubel as they discuss various aspects of Amazon's Vendor Central and how brands can navigate the platform.Touching on topics such as the approach to Prime Day and other shopping holidays, the types of deals offered by vendors, the advantages of first-party brands in terms of visibility and placement, the shift in Amazon's relationships with distributors in Europe, and the reasons behind Amazon's reduced support for mid-tail and long-tail brands.Plus, learn about Amazon's focus on automation and cost reduction, including the offshoring of support functions. Episode Notes:00:45 - Martin Heubel Introduction02:15 - Vendor Central Experience and the Role of Vendor Managers04:39 - Deal Exclusive to Vendor Brands07:08 - 1P Relationships with Distributors in the United States10:46 - Why Isn’t Amazon Not Meeting Expectations of 1P Brands?15:15 - Amazon Reducing Cost16:15 - What Does Amazon’s Hardball Look Like?18:20 - Negotiating with Amazon22:35 - Annual Vendor Negotiations26:30 - The Future of VendorsLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/martinheubelWebsite: consulterce.comX: consulterceRelated post: The Vendor Central Database of Amazon Brands