The Smartest Amazon Seller

Episode 248: Inside Walmart’s Rise with SellCord CEO Michael Lebhar

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/

Episode 247: Catching Up With the Latest Amazon Updates

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 FeesEmail: scott@smartscout.comRelated Post: Fulfillment Fee (FBA Fulfillment Fee)

Episode 246: Evaluating Amazon Seller Tools With David Zimmermann

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/coursesRelated Post: The 5 Best SmartScout Tools for Amazon Wholesale Sellers

Episode 245: Stocking Out is Good for Your Business

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 CautionRelated Post: How To Sell on Amazon Without Inventory

Episode 244: The Rise and Fall of Aggregators with Michal Oron of Fortunet

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?

Episode 243: The Power of Lifetime Warranties on Amazon with Michael Kaufman

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 MailersLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/protuffproductsWebsite: https://brandfortresshq.com/Related Post: 8 Strategies To Boost Your Conversion Rates on Amazon

Episode 242: Future-Proof Product Launch Formula with Dylan Lam of Omirank

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

Episode 241: A Deep Dive into Amazon Influencer Tools and Trends with Liz Saunders

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

Episode 240: Get New Reviews for Your Amazon Products for Free!

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]

Episode 239: How To Understand the World of Amazon Vendor Central With Will Haire

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 RemarksLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/willhaireWebsite: bellavix.comX: MarketingChimp1 Related Post: How to Get Leverage on Amazon Vendor Negotiations [2024]