The Smartest Amazon Seller

Episode 298 - Voice of the Amazon Seller - Insights from 300+ Sellers

Ever wondered what it's like to sell on Amazon? Here’s the best damn industry report for you.
The Voice of the Amazon Seller unveils insights from over 300 Amazon sellers, revealing the challenges and triumphs of navigating this vast marketplace.
Scott discusses everything from competition pressures and fee structures to the impact of international sellers and the fairness of Amazon's platform.
 
Episode Notes:
02:05 - Survey Overview
02:25 - Seller Demographics
02:55 - Amazon as Main Business
03:14 - Income statistics
03:46 - Challenges of Selling on Amazon
04:54 - Seller Suspension Concerns
07:36 - Perceptions of Fairness in Amazon Marketplace
10:05 - Impact of Amazon's AI Efforts
11:46 - Recommendation to Others
13:59 - Seller Support Satisfaction
16:31 - Business Growth and Profitability
Voice of the Amazon Seller Survey

Episode 297 - Amazon Reseller Support and Strategic Planning

Is Amazon neglecting its sellers?
Scott tackles this question head-on, brings you exclusive insights from Amazon employees and industry experts, and delves into the challenges sellers face, from navigating 1P and 3P complexities to dealing with account suspensions.
Learn the truth behind the trend urging brands to switch selling models and how nuanced decisions based on product categories can make all the difference.
Scott also unveils Amazon's new reseller support initiatives and strategic account services designed to empower your business.
 
Episode Notes:
00:09 - Amazon's commitment to sellers
01:05 - Understanding 1P vs 3P
02:30 - Nuances of 1P and 3P models
05:35 - Strategic Account Services at Amazon
06:55 - New Initiatives for Resellers at Amazon
07:50 - Importance of Compliance and Advocacy
09:11 - Amazon’s Internal Complexity
 
Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace

Episode 296 - Building a Consumer-Facing Brand on Amazon With Kelley Thornton

Join Scott as he unpacks the remarkable growth of Tiege Hanley with founder Kelly Thornton.
From initial struggles to becoming a powerhouse in men's skincare, Kelly shares invaluable insights into building a consumer brand on Amazon.
Learn how Tiege Hanley leveraged YouTube for content-driven growth, simplified its product offerings, and mastered omnichannel expansion, including significant penetration into European markets.
They delve into the challenges of scaling internationally, navigating digital marketing shifts, and maintaining brand integrity across platforms. Kelly also shares his perspective on the future of brand building, emphasizing long-term vision over short-term gains.
 
Episode Notes:
00:15 - Kelley Thornton Introduction
01:44 - Building a Scalable Brand
04:00 - The Genesis of Tiege Hanley
05:14 - Overcoming Early Challenges
07:23 - Content-Led Approach
11:00 - Content Creation Strategy
12:25 - Navigating Digital Marketing Challenges
14:10 - Amazon as a Sales Channel
18:27 - Overcoming Business Plateaus
21:57 - International Market Expansion
23:01 - Surviving the Aggregator Wave
27:00 - The Importance of Early Amazon Presence
 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelleythornton-ceo-tiege-hanley
Website: www.tiege.com
 
Related Post: How To Find Amazon Sellers as an Agency Using SmartScout

Episode 295 - Amazon Dead Zones & FBA Fees: Maximize Profit & Avoid Pricing Traps

Are you unintentionally sabotaging your Amazon profits?
Dive into this week's episode and learn about the hidden "dead zones" in Amazon pricing, particularly within high-volume categories such as Grocery, Beauty, and Clothing.
Scott reveals why pricing products between $10-$12 is a critical mistake due to Amazon's intricate FBA fee structures. Learn how these "dead zones" can significantly impact your bottom line and discover strategic pricing adjustments to maximize your margins.
Beyond pricing, Scott also breaks down the latest annual changes to Amazon's Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fees, a crucial factor for any seller looking to maintain profitability. Understand how these fee adjustments directly affect your operational costs and how to adapt your business strategy accordingly.
Plus, Scot analyzes new data on Buy Box wins, revealing that nearly 40% of products now see multiple sellers sharing this coveted spot. Discover the key factors, including shipping speed and price competitiveness, that influence Buy Box rotation.
Finally, get exclusive insights into Amazon's global revenue breakdown, with a deep dive into the US market's dominance, offering strategic opportunities for expansion.
 
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Overview of dead zones in Amazon pricing
01:36 - Impact of Amazon FBA Fees
02:30 - Dead Zone Pricing Insights
04:38 - Importance of FBA Fee Structures
06:38 - Multi-Seller Buy Box Dynamics
08:41 - International Amazon Market Insights
 
Related Post: Amazon FBA Fees Have Increased 50-200%—Here’s How It’s Changed Over the Years

Episode 294 - Brand Strategy and Amazon Dynamics with Kara from High Tide Commerce

E-commerce & Channel Strategy Expert Kara Babb from High Tide Commerce joins Scott to dissect the e-commerce landscape.
From navigating Amazon's vendor system to building brand strategies and launching her consultancy, Kara shares unique perspectives.
Learn how viral events impact sales, how to manage brand media, and the challenges of implementing e-commerce strategies in large corporations.
She also shares her framework to unlock growth, emphasizing cross-functional collaboration and the importance of focusing on business outcomes.
Discover how Amazon influences broader business strategies and gain actionable insights for navigating the complexities of multi-channel sales in today's digital age.
 
Episode Notes:
00:30 - Kara Babb Introduction
01:55 - Kara’s Journey in E-Commerce
03:00 - The Vendor Experience at Amazon
04:28 - Transition to Brand Side
06:55 - Brand Media Management
07:32 - The Role of Viral Events
10:10 - Working with Agencies
10:37 - Organizational Dynamics in Large Corporations
14:28 - Key Insights for Unlocking Growth
18:05 - Streamlining Brand Strategy
19:04 - Importance of Cross-Functional Collaboration
20:25 - Navigating Multiple Channels
23:20 - The Dual Nature of Amazon
25:50 - Why Amazon is Not the Solution for Everything
27:00 - Biggest Barriers and Impacts to Conversion
28:43 - Strategizing and Prioritizing
 
Website: www.hightidecommerce.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karababb
 
Related Post: Amazon Marketplace Sellers: A Look at Seller Counts and Revenue Performance

Episode 293 - Cracking the Amazon Buy Box Mystery & New Marketplace Insights

From Amazon's explosive growth to its evolving policies, this episode covers everything you need to know about the Buy Box.
Scott explores how shipping speeds and location impact Buy Box ownership, introduces a groundbreaking new tool for regional analysis, and offers strategic recommendations for large brands and resellers.
Scott also touches on Amazon vs. TikTok Shop/Shopify and the latest reimbursement policy changes.
Don't miss out on these crucial insights! Listen now and start dominating the Amazon Buy Box.
Episode Notes:
00:09 - Winning the Amazon Buy Box
01:51 - Insights on Amazon's Growth
05:05 - Amazon's Policy Changes
09:10 - Buy Box Dynamics
10:20 - New Tool Introduction
13:22 - Implications for Large Brands and Resellers
13:41 - Strategic Recommendations
16:00 - SmartScout iPhone App
Email: scott@smartscout.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813
Related Post: Stop Losing Sales: Introducing the Buy Box Map for Amazon Sellers

Episode 292 - The SmartScout Buy Box Map: A Game-Changer for Amazon Sellers

Revolutionize your Amazon strategy with SmartScout’s Buy Box Map!
Discover who's winning the buy box in each state, at what price, and how fast they're shipping.
Learn how FBA, FBM sellers, 1P Vendors, and resellers can leverage this data to optimize shipping, improve conversions, and uncover hidden arbitrage opportunities.
See how wildly products can vary across states and leverage this data for explosive growth.
Plus, get an exclusive discount code!
 
Episode Notes:
 
00:20 - New Mapping Feature Developed for SmartScout
01:43 - The Buy Box Map and Its Unique Capabilities
02:24 - Practical Application of the Buy Box Map
04:25 - Impact on Selling Strategy
06:11 - Conversion Rate Dynamics
07:28 - Logistics and Fulfillment Insights
08:15 - How to Leverage The Buy Box Map for Analysis and Decision-Making
09:58 - Future Enhancements and Use Cases
10:24 - Reflections on the launch of an innovative tool
 
Coupon Code: BuyBoxMap

Episode 290 - From High School Hustler to Serial Entrepreneur with Uri Rahimi

Join host Scott as he sits down with Uri Rahimi, a serial entrepreneur whose diverse ventures span the worlds of e-commerce, manufacturing, and software development.From humble beginnings flipping iPhones in high school to building a multi-million dollar wall decor brand, Uri’s story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit and relentless pursuit of opportunity.In this episode, we delve into Uri's journey, exploring his early forays into Amazon selling, the challenges of scaling a physical product business, and the strategic decision to open his printing facility in Miami.Uri shares invaluable insights from navigating the complexities of manufacturing, including his experiences at global trade shows and firsthand observations of production processes in China.Tune in to discover how diversification can create unexpected synergies between seemingly unrelated businesses, the strategic advantages of manufacturing your product line, and the importance of embracing the learning process inherent in every entrepreneurial journey.
Episode notes:
00:17 - Uri Rahimi Introduction
02:00 - Uri Early Ventures in High School
04:00 - Entrance into Amazon and First Brand
06:00 - Learning from China and Import Challenges
06:25 - Scaling the Business
07:25 - Product Research
07:55 - Increasing Conversion Rate
10:45 - Number of SKUs Created and Removed
11:41 -  Reaching 7 Figures
12:00 - Uri Continued Interest and Involvement in Software Development
16:30 - Vertical Integration and Becoming a Manufacturer
17:55 - Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
18:34 - Expansion to Print-On-Demand
20:45 - Technological Limitations and Innovations
26:15 - Artelo Specialization
29:07 - Seller Utilities
30:20 - Value of Having SQP Reports
32:35 - The Keepa Model
34:50 - What’s Next for Uri?
36:23 - Beating China
37:22 - The Platform Risk
39:05 - The Future of Amazon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uri-rahimi/
Related Posts: How to Leverage Amazon A+ Content for Brand Building
 

Episode 289 - The Best Free Tools for Amazon Sellers

Boost your Amazon business without breaking the bank!
Scott explores an array of free tools that can transform your selling strategy on Amazon. From price trackers such as  Keepa to innovative solutions such as Veeqo's profitability analyzer — there’s something for every seller looking to maximize profits while minimizing costs.
 
Episode Notes:
00:10 - Best Free Tools Overview
03:00 - David Zimmerman's curated list of free tools (@ddzim)
04:19 - Profit Analyzer: Veeqo
05:35 - PPC: Advance
06:45 - Search Query Performance: Amazon Seller Central
07:42 - Product Opportunity Explorer: Amazon Seller Central
09:07 - Sales Estimator: JungleScout
09:48 - FBA Calculators: Profit Guru, Jungle Scout, Amazon FBA Calculator
10:13 - Exploding Topics: SmartScout
10:55 - Google Trends
12:34 - Amazon Seller Map: SmartScout
13:52 - Price Tracker: Keepa
Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands
 

Episode 288 - Is The Amazon Dream Still Alive in 2025?

Scott takes a deep dive into the evolving Amazon marketplace to determine whether it still offers the same potential for success as it once did.
From shifting trends in product sourcing and search traffic to the challenges of launching new private-label products, he explores sellers' strategies to thrive despite increasing competition and changing policies. He also tackles many sellers' pain points, such as account suspensions, bundling complexities, and changes to Amazon’s reimbursement policies.
As Amazon continues to grow, so do the opportunities for partnerships and expansion. However, the platform’s rapid evolution comes with growing pains, and he discusses how sellers can navigate these challenges while staying profitable.
Join Scott as he uncovers what it takes to succeed on Amazon in 2025 and beyond.
 
Episode Notes:
 
01:30 - Marketplace Pulse Year in Review
05:20 - Amazon Haul
06:15 - Starting a New Private Label Product
07:05 - Increase in Section 3 Suspensions
09:15 - Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC)
10:40 - Exceptions on Bundles
12:40 - Jungle Scout and Helium 10 Search Traffic
14:20 - Alibaba to Amazon Search Volume
15:40 - Amazon Fees not Going Up
16:15 - Amazon Business Growing
17:10 - Growing Pains of Amazon
17:30 - Amazon Partnerships
17:55 - Amazon Reimbursement Policy
18:55 - Next Podcast Topics
 
Related Post: Top 50 Amazon Marketing Agencies for 2025