The Smartest Amazon Seller

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]

Episode 238 - Expert Insights on Advertising, Data Analysis, and Business Growth with Youval Peltier and Andrew Tookey

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

Episode 237 - Understanding What Amazon Wants and Making Unit Economics Work with Robb Green

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

Episode 236 - Accounting for Amazon Sellers with Ryan Hurley

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

Episode 235 - Delegation and Hiring Virtual Employees for Amazon Wholesale

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

Episode 234 - How To Get Leverage on Amazon Vendor Negotiations with Martin Heubel

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

Episode 233 - The New Seller Fulfilled Prime Is Back and Open for Business

Seller Fulfilled Prime is crucial for sellers looking to optimize their fulfillment operations, reduce costs, and enhance their competitiveness in the Amazon marketplace.It provides a strategic alternative to FBA, offering greater control, flexibility, and the ability to meet the high expectations of Amazon Prime customers.Whether you're a seasoned seller or just starting, this episode featuring Manish Chowdhary, Founder & CEO at Cahoot -the World's first P2P Fulfillment Network for Brands and retailers- provides actionable information to navigate the ever-evolving dynamics of e-commerce fulfillment.Episode notes:00:15 - Manish Chowdhary Introduction 00:40 - Amazon FBA Programs 01:45 - Seller Fulfilled Prime Program Requirements 05:10 - Delivery Speed Metric 08:15 - Who is Seller Fulfilled Prime Best For?“It’s a myth that FBA is cheaper across the board.” -Manish10:50 - Multi-Channel Fulfillment 11:55 - Lawsuits and Latest News About Amazon SFP 15:40 - Seller Fulfilled Prime For Specific Shipping Regions 19:10 - Adoption of Seller Fulfilled Prime 20:25 - Seller Fulfilled Prime Application 21:05 - Seller Fulfilled Prime Trial 23:35 - Amazon FeesLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manish-chowdharyWebsite: Cahoot.aiX: PulseCommerce Related Post: FBA Doesn’t Always Beat FBM: When to Pick One for New Sellers