The Smartest Amazon Seller

EPISODE 258 - E-Commerce Dynamics with Russ Dieringer of Stratably

Join Scott today with Russ Dieringer, the Founder & CEO of Stratably, a leading research group that advises major brands on market trends in e-commerce.In this episode, they explore how Stratably assists companies in understanding their customers and competitors through an annual membership that includes access to in-depth research, live webinars, and collaborative share groups.Understanding e-commerce dynamics is vital for brands to balance their online presence with physical stores. Russ highlights challenges for larger brands with global distribution facing price transparency issues, while midsize or smaller first-party (1P) brands may seek third-party alternatives due to tough negotiations with platforms such as Amazon.With Stratably's innovative approach to research and analysis, companies gain a strategic advantage in navigating the ever-evolving marketplace landscape. Episode Notes:00:15 - Russ Dieringer Introduction 01:02 - Stratably Origins 01:58 - The Power Dynamics of 1P and 3P on Amazon 04:50 - The Evolution of E-commerce Post-COVID 06:05 - Benchmarking Consumer Brands 08:08 - Stratably Data Collection 10:10 - Big Brands Dealing with Emerging Marketplaces 16:45 - Marketplace Control 22:48 - Profit Strategies for Midsize and Challenger Brands 24:45 - Tactical Shifts and Innovations on AmazonLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/russdieringerWebsite: stratably.comRelated Post: Expanding With Amazon FBA – How To Start Selling in Europe

EPISODE 257 - Cruising Amazon’s Fast Lane with Dillon Carter of Aura

Today we are diving into the crucial element of speed on Amazon, emphasizing that success isn't just about intelligence — it's about staying ahead of the curve.Joining Scott is Dillon Carter, the visionary behind Aura, a groundbreaking repricing tool that's revolutionizing the way sellers navigate the Amazon marketplace. From humble beginnings in college to mastering the art of selling on Amazon, Dillon's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Discover how Dillon's detour into personal training paved the way for his entrepreneurial ventures, culminating in the creation of Aura. With a passion for sharing knowledge, Dillon pioneered wholesale sourcing resources and podcasts, empowering sellers with invaluable insights. Learn how Aura's relentless commitment to efficiency led to the development of a cutting-edge repricing system capable of updating prices in the blink of an eye. Explore the intricate balance between sales velocity and profitability, where AI-driven strategies elevate sellers to new heights without compromising margins.Episode Notes:00:35 - Dillon Carter Introduction 01:20 - The Origins of Aura 03:58 - Transition from Wholesale to Software 05:15 - The Move and Expansion to Boston 07:15 - The Shift Back to E-Commerce 09:00 - New API Version 14:20 - Introducing Hyper Drive 16:20 - Understanding Buy Box Dynamics 17:52 - Reframing Success for Amazon Sellers 19:02 - AI and the Future of Repricing LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dillon-carter Website: https://dilloncarter.com/ Related Post: The Top Insights to Amazon Repricing Tools

EPISODE 256 - Maximizing Revenue Through Effective Return Management Strategies With Will Abrams

Joined by Will Abrams, founder of Axiom Prep, Scott uncovers the hidden impacts of returns on your bottom line and explores effective strategies for managing them. Returns can be more than just a hassle — they can significantly affect your revenue stream. Will shares his personal journey, from navigating piles of returns as an Amazon seller to founding a return service business focused on maximizing value from these items. Explore the complexities of reimbursement types and gain valuable insights into documenting item conditions to support successful reimbursement claims. Episode Notes: 00:20 - Will Abrams Introduction03:00 - The Nuances of Handling Returns06:15 - Consignment, and Reimbursement Types07:25 - Deep Dive into Amazon Reimbursement Challenges08:35 - The Economic Threshold for Handling Returns10:00 - Outsourcing Return Handling to Expert Services16:00 - The Importance of Visibility and DocumentationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-abrams-426b15260/Website: http://axiomprepcenter.com/Related Post: How To Leverage Reverse Logistics for a Competitive Advantage

Episode 255: The Hadley Designs Story - A Journey Through Amazon Selling

In this episode, Josh Hadley takes us on a journey through his entrepreneurial path, sharing the story behind Hadley Designs and how they've carved out a niche in the competitive world of stationery products. Discover how Josh's childhood hustle selling lemonade paved the way for his successful e-commerce venture, and learn about the pivotal moments that led to Hadley Designs' evolution from custom wedding invitations to educational posters. With candid insights into navigating market challenges such as COVID-19 and the importance of constant innovation, this episode offers invaluable lessons for aspiring Amazon sellers. We also delve into the intricacies of protecting designs from IP infringement, strategies for effective product launches, and the critical role of community building in e-commerce success. Whether you're a seasoned seller looking for new strategies or a newcomer eager to learn, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories to help you thrive in the dynamic world of Amazon selling. Episode Notes: 00:17 - Josh Hadley Introduction 01:17 - Josh’s Background 01:56 - Childhood Business Ventures to Amazon 06:00 - Pivoting Categories and Selling Recipe Cards 10:10 - Scaling the Amazon Business and Impact of Covid 12:50 - The Current State of Selling Design-Based Products on Amazon 15:00 - Protecting Intellectual Property and Legal Strategies 20:25 - Barriers to Entry and Success Factors in Design-Based Categories 25:20 - Merch by Amazon and Product DifferentiationLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshhadleyWebsite: ues.utah.edu Related Post: Winning the Bogus IP Claim War on Amazon

Episode 254: Insights About the New FBA Fees, Listing Hacks, SmartScout’s Brand Reports, and the 2024 Accelerate Conference

Scott gives us 4 key updates in a quick but compact episode.The topics include an analysis of Amazon's FBA placement fee program, SEO strategies for product listings, insights on SmartScout's brand reports, and details about Pattern's Accelerate conference for large brands.Whether you're an experienced seller or new to Amazon's marketplace dynamics, this episode offers valuable insights and tips for enhancing your business reach and efficiency. Episode Notes: 00:40 - Amazon's New FBA Placement Fee 04:07 - SEO Hacks for Product Listings 07:30 - SmartScout’s Brand Reports 09:50 - Pattern’s Accelerate ConferenceRelated Post: The Vendor Central Database of Amazon Brands

Episode 253: Is the Mafia Selling on Amazon? Answers With Jed Rawson

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

Episode 252: Insider Strategies for Profitable Amazon Selling with Steven Pope

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

Episode 251: Insights, Stories, and Standout Companies with Scott

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

Episode 250: Discovering Growth Strategies and Branding Tips with Sabir Semerkant

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

Episode 249: Insights from M19 Founder Tarik on Unlocking Amazon Advertising Secrets

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