Rock Your Brand Podcast

Does the state of your personal health and happiness really impact your ceiling for success in business? Scott has been on a personal journey over the last couple of years to improve and optimize his health. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and his guest Pat Flynn discuss the role physical health plays in contributing to success as a business owner. Scott is passionate about taking health seriously, his enthusiasm will get you pumped to make some intentional changes in your life and business!

What do you do when you get stuck in business and life?

There are a variety of factors that can cause you to get stuck in life. It might be relationship issues, struggles achieving goals, or just the monkey wrenches that life throws in the way. How do you overcome these obstacles? What do some of the high caliber leaders in business suggest? Pat Flynn has had his fair share of ups and downs over the course of his career. He is eager to share with The Amazing Seller audience how he has triumphed in the face of adversity and some steps you can take to do the same. Don’t miss this valuable episode bursting with great insight!

Creating a Market Map

Once you start to hone in on the niche market you are trying to corner, Pat Flynn suggests creating a Market Map. This is a tool that will help you identify the three P’s of your audience. Pat suggests creating a spreadsheet and tackling each of the following:

Places - Where does your target audience hang out? Podcasts, blogs, web properties. Where does this group go?

People - Who are the influencers on this target audience? Who has earned their trust? Podcast hosts, authors of the blog's, top social media accounts.

Products - List between 20 and 50 products to see and get a feel for what this audience is looking for.

Once you have put in the time researching and identifying these three P’s it will reveal your position in the marketplace. This is your sweet spot, where you can deliver the best service to this target audience. Make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear Pat expand on these ideas and much more!

Getting inside a customer’s head with a PLAN

After you have identified a position in a particular market niche, expert Pat Flynn suggests climbing inside your customer's head. What Pat means by this is figuring out how the customer thinks, what motivates them? To identify this perspective, Pat has developed a PLAN.

Problem - You have to identify what potential problem you are trying to solve with your product for your customer. This happens through target market and research. Every successful business solves a problem.

Language - What words is the customer using to describe their problem? It does not good to come up with the perfect solution to a problem without using the right language that speaks to the customer.

Anecdotes - Engage with your customers. Know their stories and empathize with them.

Need - If you can identify a real need from your conversations with your customers, you’ll be one step closer to designing your product to fulfill that need.

Validating a product: The Pat Flynn approach

How often do you get to hear the approach of an expert in the arena you are trying to break into? The opportunity to get a peek into the process of one of the best in the industry is right at your fingertips. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with Pat Flynn. Pat is gracious enough to grant the podcast audience stellar insight into how he would approach validating a product. Grab a pen and some paper and get ready for some powerful insight, you can’t miss this!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:05] Scott welcomes Pat Flynn to the show.
  • [7:13] How does physical fitness contribute to success as a business owner?
  • [9:19] Who is Pat Flynn?
  • [12:20] How to deal with changes in your industry.
  • [17:15] What do you do when you get stuck in business and life?
  • [21:30] The impact of getting critical feedback.
  • [22:30] The fear of failure.
  • [23:30] Pat talks about the writing process.
  • [26:00] Reducing the fear when approaching new product ideas.
  • [28:00] Creating a Market Map.
  • [31:00] Creating your PLAN.
  • [41:30] Pat goes over his approach to validating a product.
  • [50:00] What advice would Pat give his younger self?
  • [53:50] How to connect with Pat.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS314.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Staying in “The flow”

Do you find yourself often getting stuck or constantly starting something but never finishing it? Maybe you’ve said to yourself, “2017 is going to be different, I am going to get stuff done!” Scott is passionate about getting into and staying in what he calls, “The flow.” He encourages everyone who listens to The Amazing Seller to find what works for them. It’s all about making commitments and sticking to them. This will serve you well in your personal life as well as your business life. Scott’s enthusiasm is infections and hearing him talk about the changes and commitments he has made recently will get you fired up! So don’t miss it!

How do you add color variations to a product listing?

Optimizing your product for the best results can become something you obsess over. That drive to get the most out of your product listing it great! There are so many ways to tinker and tweak your listing for the best results. One of the best ways to do this is by bundling your product with another item or by adding variations in sizes or colors. Scott often gets questions about how to optimize product listings using these different variations. On this episode, he tackles a question about adding color options for a product listing. If you are looking for ways to get the most out of your listing, you won’t want to miss this episode.

How do you know you are making a profit with Pay Per Click?

When you are getting started with your first product, a lot of factors are on your mind. The primary one most sellers are concerned with is - PROFIT. That’s the reason you got into this whole venture. You want to make a profit and you want to make it quick. You wouldn’t be out here on the cutting edge taking risks if you didn’t want to see your profit margins take off. So how do you maximize your profits, especially when using a tool like Pay Per Click? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott tackles this question that plagues most sellers. Make sure you catch the wisdom that Scott brings on this episode.

Product research: Is a product featured as a “Limited Time Special” a red flag?

The product research phase can be intimidating. You don’t want to pick a dud from the get go. This trepidation can lead to extensive second guessing for many sellers getting started. Scott often says that you just need to dive in and get started - but sometimes caution is warranted. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott speaks to an important question regarding product research. If you are in the product research phase, make sure to catch this episode and the word of warning that Scott addresses.

Should you pursue product reviewers who contact you via Amazon?

Many sellers are eager to get their product out there and featured on blogs and various review sites. Should you take EVERY opportunity for a product review that comes your way? The truth of the matter is that not all opportunities are good ones. You have to be wise and discerning. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott tackles this difficult situation. If you find yourself eager to get as many reviews of your product as possible but you are unsure about which opportunities to pursue, you have to listen in.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:54] Staying in the flow.
  • [7:30] QUESTION #1: How do I add images with color variations for my product?
  • [12:48] QUESTION #2: How do you know you are making money on PPC?
  • [19:13] QUESTION #3: When researching a potential product, is it an automatic red flag when the product page features a limited time special product promotion?
  • [24:55] QUESTION #4: I have been getting contacted by individuals on Amazon regarding reviews of my product and featuring it on their blogs, is that outside the TOS?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS313.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

So many people make excuses for why they can’t get started in private label or e-commerce sales. And one of the BIGGEST excuses you hear has to do with not having enough money. Scott is taking that excuse away today by giving you 5 ways you can make your first $500 in the next week. Seriously. It may sound kind of hype-y to say that but it’s true. Scott’s walking you through each step of his "find it - sell it"

process so you can get rid of the money excuse. Are you ready to take action? You’d better be if you listen to this episode.

Afraid of launching a DUD product? Stop making excuses!

It’s hard to do product research that's effective. You want a product that will easily sell once you get it established on Amazon or another online platform. But many people use that difficulty as an excuse for why they are not getting started. As Scott says all the time - JUST START! You won’t make any progress if you don’t get rolling. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott is going to show you how you can take a fairly simple (not easy) action step to get yourself going - and the good part of this one is that it brings almost instant cash to you that will give you the motivation to keep going. You need to listen to this one!

It takes ZERO money to make your first $500 in one week.

If you REALLY want to get going in an online business you’re going to need money. No question. But there are ways you can make money from the junk you have lying around your house and create your own startup cash. This episode is focused on that approach to getting your business started. It’s simple, takes some work, but is something anyone can do. Scott’s walking you through the steps you have to take to make it happen on this episode.

You can do a DEEP DIVE house cleaning to find stuff that will make you money today!

OK, say you’re not a clean-freak. That’s GREAT when it comes to what Scott is talking about on this episode. He’s going to walk you through a deep-clean process you can do in your house that will actually generate some cash for you, so you can get moving on an online business with the money you earn. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. It works. Scott has seen it happen in his own life and with many others he’s advised through the years. You can find out how Scott would do it if he were in your shoes, on this episode.

Do you want some help getting your business started? You need the 1K Fast Track!

One of the things Scott has been experimenting with lately alongside his buddy Dom Sugar is a program that can help YOU make the money you need to start your business. It’s called the 1K Fast Track and it’s open now for 50 people. ONLY 50. So if you want into this pilot program that will show you how to make money quickly to support a larger scale business, this is the program for you. Find out how you can get into the program on this episode.



OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:54] Opening the 1K Fast Track group - get in now!
  • [6:47] Step #1: Stop making excuses!
  • [9:00] Step #2: Do a deep dive clean to find things you can sell.
  • [11:05] Step #3: Go to eBay to check prices and the SOLD listings in particular.
  • [20:13] The downfall of this model: You have to ship the items you sell. Big deal!
  • [21:14] Create your eBay and PayPal accounts.
  • [22:14] Communicate with the people interested in your products and SHIP the products.
  • [23:57] Product ideas you probably have laying around your house.
  • [27:10] What is holding YOU back from getting started making some cash?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS312.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

One of the biggest obstacles to people who are considering the private label approach to online business is the cash to get started. But you don’t have to wait for a winning lottery ticket or go rob a bank. You can set up some kind of side job or side hustle to start earning some extra income that you can put into the start of an Amazon business. On the show today is Nick Loper, host of The Side Hustle Show to talk about different side income ideas that you can build that could launch your online business dreams.

But I don’t have time to start a side hustle!

Time is the one common denominator among every one of us. We all get 24 hours and what we choose to do with that time is what matters. On this episode of the podcast, Scott asked Nick Loper what he would say to a person who says they don’t have enough time and his advice was golden. If you’d like to hear what Nick said in answer to that question AND get some side hustle ideas of your own to try out, you’ve got to listen to this conversation.

If you want it bad enough you’ll find a way to do it.

When Nick Loper and Scott were talking about the time crunch we all feel when it comes to making a side hustle or other online opportunity work, they both came to the same conclusion. If you want it badly enough you’ll figure out a way to make it happen. You can’t give yourself any excuses, you just have to find a way to do what you say you want to do. It’s the people who take action who see success. Find out more about Nick’s approach to carving out the time to build side income, on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Make extra money by buying low and selling high using flea markets, garage sales, etc.

One of the ideas Nick Loper had about how people could begin building side income to help fuel their Amazon private label dreams was to find things at flea markets that you can sell for more on eBay, Amazon retail arbitrage, or other places. It’s an amazingly simple thing to do with just a little bit of research and know-how. And guess what, Nick is on the show today to give you some of that knowledge, so what are you waiting for?

Are you interested in making your first $1000 quickly to get a private label business started?

Scott and his buddy Dom Sugar have been brainstorming a way to help you get a start even though you don’t have any money to put toward a traditional private label launch. Dom has been selling products through retail arbitrage for years and is a pro and knowing how to do it, how to find the right things to sell, and how to make a profit doing it. He and Scott are putting together a 50 person pilot program to see if they are able to help people earn $1000 quickly like they think they can. Would you like in? Listen to this episode to find out how!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to the podcast and his guest Nick Loper!
  • [1:54] A project Scott and his team have been working on behind the scenes.
  • [6:04] How Nick got started working on side hustles and started his podcast.
  • [11:16] How do side hustlers find the time to build a part time income?
  • [15:07] Strategies for just getting stuff done.
  • [21:48] What Nick says to a person who thinks they don’t have time to work on a side hustle.
  • [25:08] Side hustle ideas to start earning money immediately.
  • [34:38] Nick’s areas of low hanging fruit - the sharing economy opportunities.
  • [41:00] Why Scott believes YOU need to give some of these ideas a shot.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS311.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

The entrepreneurial road is one that involves all of life, not just what you’re doing in business. On this episode, Scott shares a good deal in the way of updates on his own family and personal life to show you how integrated life has to be with your business if you’re going to be truly fulfilled. In the midst of telling his stories, Scott highlights the importance of finishing what you start and how that kind of commitment will fuel in you in life and in business. It’s just one example of how The Amazing Seller is about more than the money - it’s about a great life.

Are there certain states that are better for entrepreneurs?

If you spend even a little bit of time in the online entrepreneurial space you’ll discover that there are certain places in the country that entrepreneurs seem to be drawn to. Two of those places are San Diego and San Francisco. But are there other places that are good locations for entrepreneurs to hang out and network? A listener to the show is moving soon and wants to consider these kinds of issues when he makes the decision about where he’s going to live - and he wanted Scott’s opinion. Be sure to listen to hear how YOU can help answer this question!

When I order products from another country what format should my invoices be in?

In past episodes, Scott has mentioned that it’s vitally important that you have the documentation you need from your overseas supplier to verify what you purchased, etc. It’s important not just for your records and peace of mind but also because of issues that can arise regarding customs, product specs, etc. It’s much better to be safe rather than sorry, so doing the legwork to get the right paperwork from the outset is worth it. You can hear Scott describe the kind of things your paperwork should contain, on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

What is it that makes a private label product truly “private label?”

A listener who is fairly new to selling private label products is coming at it very carefully because he’s done numerous online business opportunities in the past that have not all worked out. He’s heard a lot about private label sales and wants to make sure he’s understanding the concept correctly - and know how to approach it wisely. Scott is very impressed with this guy’s thoroughness and spends a little extra time unpacking some of the nuances of private label sales, so be sure you take the time to listen.

Do you want to ask an experienced seller your eCommerce or private label questions?

The Ask Scott session of The Amazing Seller podcast is your chance to ask an experienced, street-wise Amazon and eCommerce seller your situation-specific questions. You can ask about anything - mailing lists, product selection, PPC, off-Amazon sales and websites, and much more. Don’t be shy. Scott Voelker loves to answer your questions to help you make the most of the amazing opportunities available. Listen to this episode to find out how you can ask your questions - maybe you’ll be featured on the next Ask Scott episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [0:29] Updates on Scott’s family and situation - sad and happy at the same time.
  • [3:50] Word of the week: finishing.
  • [7:00] QUESTION ONE: Are there business-friendly states that are better for entrepreneurs?
  • [13:00] QUESTION TWO: What kind of invoices do I need to get from my suppliers to avoid problems?
  • [18:05] QUESTION THREE: What is it that makes a product “private label” for real?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS310.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

When you’ve got an established product on Amazon and your sales and search ranking suddenly go down, what happened? On this hot seat episode, Scott and Chris are chatting about a hot seat product where both those rankings have dropped 20% since last year. That’s a significant loss of revenue and the seller wants to fix the problem! You can’t blame him - and Scott and Chris have some great insights into why it’s happening and how the problem could be addressed. It’s all on this episode.

If Amazon asks you to be THEIR vendor, should you jump at the chance?

The hot seat participant in today’s episode of the podcast has an established wholesale brand that he’s been selling on Amazon and fulfilling himself (through his company). Amazon has seen his success and has approached him about being a vendor for them - meaning he’d sell directly to Amazon and they would purchase at a wholesale rate. There are all kinds of pluses to doing that, but there are also some cons you want to be aware of. The guys go over the pros and cons in depth on this episode.

When your private label sales drop by 20% - what’s the problem and how do you fix it?

Anytime a product that has been successfully selling drops in sales by 20%, you should be concerned. That’s what happened to this episode’s “hot seat” participant and he’s asking Scott and Chris to help him figure out what changed. You’ll hear the guys talk about all kinds of possibilities and pinpoint one thing in particular that is the most likely culprit. It’s a great episode that addresses a number of things so be sure you make the time to listen.

Is being eligible for Amazon Prime an important part of getting sales?

There’s no question that private label sellers who connect with the Amazon Prime feature by fulfilling through Amazon are at a HUGE advantage. Not only does it appear more professional, but anyone who has Amazon Prime can order your products and receive them with free shipping and free returns if they have issues with the product. That means there is a lot more motivation for them to choose your product over another. Find out how this seller is making the decision about getting listed with FBA, on this episode.

How do you test keywords to see what is best for your products?

If you are trying to optimize your product listing for the best keywords (and you should) then you’ll want to systematically test all the possible keywords for your product to ensure that you’re using the actual keywords and phrases buyers are using to find products like yours. How do you do that? You have to use the Amazon PPC (pay per click) promotions to drill down into what buyers are actually using to find your products. That’s the only way, and it does cost some money, but if you do it right it will yield great results. How do you do it right? Scott and Chris cover that on this episode.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:42] The situation that’s on the hot seat today!
  • [5:20] Pros and Cons of Amazon approaching you to be THEIR vendor.
  • [10:50] Sales have dropped 20% and search rank has dropped. Not sure what happened.
  • [13:20] The advantage of fulfilling via Amazon Prime - and how it impacts rankings.
  • [17:51] How can keywords be improved on this product - and can we use sponsored ads to help?
  • [28:30] The power of having a seasoned seller account - and getting it via seller feedback.
  • [34:36] Final summary of action points for this seller.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS309.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Probably the most intimidating thing about sourcing products for private label sales from an overseas supplier is the issue of shipping. There are all kinds of issues that you have to be aware of including export licenses, taxes, when ownership of the products transfers to you (thus in indicating your liability), customs fees, and more. You can walk that path yourself or you can have someone help you. Scott definitely advises the later. Find out how it works on this great episode where Scott is chatting with Ryan Peterson, of Flexport.

How Ryan started thinking about creating a freight forwarding company.

It’s often the pain we experience ourselves that prompts us, entrepreneurs, to build something to solve that problem. That’s how it was for today’s guest, Ryan Peterson. Ryan had experienced some issues with his supplier and the sea shipping options that not only cost him a lot of money through fees and delays but also didn’t allow him to keep his products in stock as easily as he expected. He’d already worked in the overseas markets and figured he might be the guy to figure out some better systems to make things happen smoothly for others. Flexport is his solution. Find out more about Ryan and the Flexport story on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Product shipping issues can trip up your sales pipeline in a number of ways.

One of the many problems Ryan Peterson ran into that caused him to build the Flexport solution for purchasers of overseas products was regarding timing. What he discovered was that everything had to legally be done in a certain sequence. If it wasn’t, and his product was shipped before a certain requirement was met, the shipping company would charge him daily fees for having his products “stored” at their facility. It’s just one example of the kinds of headaches it can be to ship by sea. But there are answers and Ryan has built the solution, which you can hear about on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

When it comes to dealing with overseas shipping, make sure you understand the terms.

There are all kinds of acronyms and terms used in the sea shipping and freight forwarding that can get you confused. And if you choose the wrong options, thinking they are the right option (which is not entirely unheard of) you can wind up paying lots of money in the form of customs fees and taxes that you really didn’t have to pay. So how do you navigate a field of landmines like that? You need someone to guide you - and on this episode of the podcast, Scott has just the guy - Ryan Peterson of Flexport.

How are you going to deal with your freight issues for private label products?

If you’re sourcing your products from overseas - China in particular - you are going to have to decide how you are going to handle your shipping issues. You can do it yourself. It’s possible, but you have to know what you’re doing. Or you can hire a company to be the go-between and the one to ensure all steps are being followed properly. To help you make that decision Scott’s brought on an expert from the freight forwarding industry to help you understand the pros and cons of each option - and hopefully to make a good decision for your situation.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast and his gust, Ryan Peterson!
  • [3:50] Ryan’s story and how he build a freight forwarding company.
  • [6:26] Why issues are always changing in the private label and ecommerce world.
  • [8:20] Why Ryan wanted to create his own system and company for freight forwarding.
  • [13:38] The main things to watch out for when it comes to sea shipping.
  • [17:30] The logistical differences between freight forwarders and parcel post shippers.
  • [21:58] The freight forwarder’s job to bring all companies and processes together.
  • [24:54] One of the main things that hangs up sellers who order from China.
  • [29:55] The Flexport solution to these complicated issues.
  • [39:43] Ryan’s final advice: Keep at it - learning and growing as you go.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS308.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Establishing and running a successful eCommerce business is a challenge for anyone - no matter how experienced or talented you are. There are so many blind spots and unknowns, it’s helpful to have some experienced advice going in. That’s what the Friday “Ask Scott” episodes are about - Scott’s answers to YOUR questions. You’ll hear him deal with all kinds of issues - from getting started to pivoting into bigger and better ideas outside of Amazon. You’ve got to hear this one, it’s got some great questions and good answers.

Cash flow for a new eCommerce business: How do you do it well?

Getting started with private label sales is not an easy thing, especially if cash is tight. But even if you have a lump of cash to start with you have to be able to stimulate sales in a way that keeps your cash flow consistent. If you can’t do that you’re going to run into all kinds of problems keeping inventory available, which in turn causes your search engine rankings to be inconsistent. If you want to hear Scott’s advice about managing cash flow, including some cool software or app ideas, be sure you take the time to listen.

I got damaged custom merchandise from my supplier, should I return it?

A listener called in to ask a very interesting question on this episode. He received some customized products from his supplier but they are damaged. He’s not typically shy about returning defective or damaged products but in this case, since they have his logo on them, he’s concerned about returning them. Why? Because he can envision the supplier fixing them, then selling them on Amazon themselves, bringing disrepute to his brand. What can he do? Find out how Scott suggests he avoid that possibility, on this episode.

How to optimize a product bundle effectively.

You’ve heard Scott talk a lot about creating product bundles to build a second listing on Amazon that can generate cash flow. There are all kinds of benefits to it, including the ability to rank for a different set of keywords than your original product. But that won’t happen if you don’t optimize the bundle listing well. On this episode, Scott answers a question about bundling complementary products and optimizing that new listing, and there are all kinds of tips he gives to help you do it right. You’ll want to hear this one.

What are the best ways to move from retail arbitrage into private label sales?

If you’ve ever sold products using the retail arbitrage model you know that it’s not a model that you can scale very well, simply because your product supply is inconsistent. You can’t expect to build a business on somebody else’s brand. So how can you make the switch from retail arb to private label sales? A caller asks for Scott’s advice about that very thing on this episode and Scott gives 3 free resources he can tap into to teach him the step by step process to get it done. Are you interested? You can use the same free resources too, so be sure you listen to find out what they are.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:40] What does it mean to think in terms of “abundance?”
  • [9:59] QUESTION ONE: How did you handle the issue of cash investment in your business and ongoing cash flow?
  • [18:15] QUESTION TWO: What would you do if you received customized merchandise from your vendor that’s damaged? Would you send it back?
  • [23:00] QUESTION THREE: Two complementary products that I’m considering bundling - how would you optimize the listing (bullets, etc.)
  • [28:31] QUESTION FOUR: I’m thinking of moving from retail arb to private label sales. What is my best approach?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS307.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Hiring help to work with you in your business may be a scary thought. It takes money and time to invest in help and get them up to speed to do what you really need them to do. You may shy away from the idea initially, which is entirely natural. But today’s guest is not only going to tell you why hiring help from another country could be the shot in the arm your business needs, he’s going to show you how you can do it in a way that won’t break the bank. You’ve got to hear this great episode.

Grow your business by adding things that you can’t do.

There are certain things each of us is good at. On the other side of the same coin, there are certain things we should never touch because we STINK at them. Those are the areas where you can amplify the impact of your business by hiring people to do the things you’re not good at or don’t enjoy - but that are NEEDED for your business. On this episode, Scott is talking with John Jonas, a guy who has figured out how to find the best workers from the Philippines and train them to do the tasks that are taking up your time and don’t fit inside your skill set. You can change your business and your effectiveness for the better through this approach, so find out how on this episode.

Outsourcing is not as scary as it sounds. Find out how on this episode.

Many entrepreneurs (most entrepreneurs, really) don’t like the idea of handing off responsibilities within the business to others, especially people they don’t know. But it’s one of the things that has to be done if you are going to scale your business and realize more profits. Outsourcing is one of the ways you can do that and on this episode, Scott and his guest John Jonas talk about how to outsource the smart way without breaking the bank. You are going to get a ton of value from this episode.

Dealing with a VA from another culture is a skill anyone can learn.

One of the things John Jonas has discovered as he’s worked with VAs from the Philippines, in particular, is that every culture has its own norms. For example, workers from the Philippines are very loyal and eager to please. But they tend to need a very clear set of instructions and a boss who will continue check in with them to ensure they understand their tasks - until those tasks are being performed flawlessly. If you can learn how to patiently train the person who works for you, you’ll be able to find a long-term VA or assistant who will provide tons of value to your company. Find out more on this episode.

What are the small things that are consuming your time? Pass them to someone else for greater effectiveness.

Is social media eating up your time? Are emails and product research gobbling up hours that you could be working on more important things? You’re not alone. Many eCommerce sellers find themselves bogged down in the details - but there IS hope. You can find a very competent, foreign worker who can take the load off of you by taking on your low-value tasks that have to be done - so that you don’t have to do them. Find out how it works and how you can make it happen on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast about getting help!
  • [1:39] My introduction of John Jonas, my expert guest on this subject.
  • [4:29] John’s story of getting into outsourcing and finding help.
  • [9:11] How John learned the best way to train his help (using Amazon Private Label).
  • [19:32] The obstacles and hurdles John says you should watch out for.
  • [25:10] Communicating well with Philippine workers you hire.
  • [26:15] How to handle insurance, taxes. etc. with foreign workers.
  • [28:40] Paying foreign workers with the right systems.
  • [30:00] How to find the right VA for your situation (how John created his service).
  • [37:38] Determining if you need or want part time or full time help.
  • [42:48] Assessing your own needs and moving forward to find the help you need.
  • [44:45] Last word on tips and strategies to head down the outsourcing road.
  • [47:15] How John checks in with his virtual team regularly.
  • [52:18] Scott’s summary of the episode and ideas of how you could use these ideas.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS306.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

You never know what’s going to happen when you start something. Things can go way beyond what you thought would happen - which is exactly where things have gone for Scott Voelker. It’s been awhile since Scott has shared an update on his personal brands and progress as an Amazon private label seller, so this episode is going to do that. But he’s also got some plans for the new year regarding how he’s helping other people learn how to build their private label business. If you want to hear how Scott has been doing in his business and what he’s set as a goal for you this next year, be sure to listen!

Weird things happen when the spotlight shines on you.

Scott never imagined that the TAS brand and movement would become so big. When he first started his own Amazon sales business he only wanted to generate income for himself and his family. But the more he worked on things the more he came to see that what he was learning was of value to so many people - he just had to share it. That’s how the podcast and his workshops came to be and the rest is an unbelievable piece of history. But with that kind of notoriety comes some weirdness. People don’t always respond well. On this episode, Scott talks a bit about how he’s been received and what he’s learning about the things you experience on the path to success.

Why Scott never wants to be a guy who doesn’t do what he’s teaching others to do.

Over the past year, there have been a few people accusing Scott Voelker of being a “teach but not do” sort of internet guru. They think he’s phased out of selling on Amazon himself but is still making money from teaching others how to sell on Amazon. Nothing could be further from the truth. On this episode, Scott pulls back the curtain to show you what he’s doing in his own sales business and gives you the reasons that he NEVER wants to teach something that he’s not personally doing. It’s great insight into the character behind the TAS brand.

Why you have to just start. No excuses.

Scott Voelker has often said, “Just start.” He knows that unless you get moving, you’ll never have a chance of getting anywhere. That’s why he’s continued to stress the importance of taking action now before you get scared away or find a reason to give in to your personal insecurities that tell you, you can't do it. You’ve got to take action if you’re going to change your life for the better. Sure, there is a bit of risk involved but the potential rewards are far beyond what most people imagine. Scott’s got a bit of a pep talk for you on this episode about what it takes to get started and why you should - so be sure you listen.

Scott’s goal: Help 500 people earn $1000 per month.

Every new year most people in the entrepreneurial space set goals for their business. Scott is no different. He’s got personal goals for his income and sales numbers but he’s also got some goals for what he wants to do through The Amazing Seller podcast and brand. On this episode, Scott Voelker tells how he’s come up with the mission of helping 500 people make $1000 per month through eCommerce and online sales - and why it’s important for the trajectory of what he’s doing as an Amazon coach and consultant. Will you be one of those 500 people? You can be. Find out how on this episode.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:02] Scott’s welcome and introduction to this special episode.
  • [1:19] Why I wanted to record this episode and the importance of taking action.
  • [4:19] The weird things that happen when the spotlight shines on you.
  • [13:33] The most recent brands Scott has been working on in partnerships.
  • [23:40] Plans for the TAS brand and team in 2017.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS305.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

It’s time for the Friday Q&A episode of the podcast - we call it the “Ask Scott” episodes. You can connect with Scott Voelker to ask your own Amazon or eCommerce related questions. It could be anything: product selection, email marketing, list building, website issues, really - anything. When you do, Scott will answer them on the podcast for everyone to hear. And when you ask your question be sure you leave your name so Scott can thank you personally and refer to you directly. For now, listen to this episode to hear Scott’s answers to the questions of other eCommerce sellers.

Being an entrepreneur is a life of ups and downs. Get used to it and get fueled by it.

It’s not uncommon for people who are trying to build an eCommerce or another type of business to be discouraged often. That’s because any time you’re trying to build something great you’re going to run into resistance. It’s just the way life is. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott has a pep talk for you about how to deal with the discouragements that will inevitably come and how you can turn them to your advantage for greater success. That’s something you could use, isn’t it? Be sure you take the time to hear this episode.

What is the best way to use product discounts in conjunction with review requests?

A listener called in to ask Scott about a particular approach to seeking reviews in conjunction with offering a discount code. He doesn’t exactly want to offer the discount in exchange for the review - that would be a violation of Amazon’s policy - but he does want to couple the two together. Is it a strategy that would actually work? Even more importantly, is it something Amazon would even allow without penalizing the seller in some way? You can hear Scott’s response to this creative strategy on this episode.

I noticed that a certain product on page two is selling more than those on page 1. What’s up?

An Amazon seller who is doing product research has noticed something a bit unexpected. There are products that are showing up on page 2 of the search results that are actually selling more products than the products on page 1 of the search results. How can that be? Doesn’t Amazon weight the search results in favor of those products that are selling more? Why would a higher seller be on page 2? Scott’s got some theories about what might be happening in this situation and he’s going to tell you what he thinks about it on this episode.

Why you don’t have to start big on Amazon private label.

When you are considering a business selling private label products on Amazon you may be a bit intimidated because you think you’ve got to put a lot of money into it at the beginning. But actually, there are advantages to NOT putting in a ton of money at the start. That way you can test a market, validate that there is good potential for sales, and get your feet wet a little bit at a time - learning how the entire process works. If you want to learn how to do it Scott has some great resources to share with you so make sure you take the time to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:47] Be realistic about the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial process.
  • [6:04] QUESTION ONE: Can we give a 100% code in the same email where we ask for a product review?
  • [13:33] QUESTION TWO: How do product sales relate to page ranking?
  • [19:02] QUESTION THREE: When starting out can I start small to test and validate?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS304.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Everybody has a story. And every person who has an Amazon success story has a lot to share that can help the rest of us move forward. If you’re looking for an inspiring story to show you what’s possible in Amazon private label sales you want to hear this episode. It features Sophie Howard, an international seller who built her Amazon business over her maternity leave and recently sold it for 7 figures. Her goal was to build a hobby business and it swelled into so much more. Find out how Sophie did it and how her story could help you build your business, on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

The amazing true story of a hobby business turned 7 figures within 2 years.

What is your goal for your Amazon business? In other words, what is the REASON you are doing it? It’s got to be about more than just making money. Today’s guest is Sophie Howard, a resident of New Zealand who started her Amazon private label business in order to provide for the lifestyle she and her family wanted. She had two years in which to do it and the results were phenomenal. This episode is going to take you inside Sophie’s product selection, product launch, sales funnel, and so much more. You’re going to be inspired by her tenacity and drive and see how her success could be yours as well.

How Sophie researched her niche - it was an intense process.

As you’ve learned from previous episodes of The Amazing Seller, product and market research is a very necessary part of the private label sales process. If you don’t make a good choice at the beginning you may be stuck with a struggle for the lifetime of the product. Sophie Howard took that very seriously because she not only wanted to have a successful product, she also wanted to be confident that success was around the corner. And successful is exactly what she was, selling her business for 7 figures in just two years. You can hear what Sophie did to research her products and find the very best fit for her products in her market, on this episode.

The power of joining Facebook groups surrounding your product niche.

One of the ways that Sophie did product and market research was to join a number of Facebook groups that were centered around her product niche. She became a familiar face in the groups, asked questions, listened and took part in the conversations going on, and discovered what people who were already highly interested in that market were naturally interested in. She discovered through those relationships where there were gaps in the market that she could fill. If you want to hear the specifics, you can by listening to this great episode.

eCommerce is changing so fast if you don’t enjoy learning you won’t enjoy eCommerce.

Sophie Howard is a great example of the kind of person who does well in the eCommerce space. She’s an avid learner and isn’t afraid to jump in and find out how things work. She believes that you have to be eager to learn or else the eCommerce world will be a source of constant frustration for you - because it’s always changing and will continue to do so. On this episode, you’re going to hear the story of a tenacious, everyday mom who wanted to build a business on Amazon. And you’ll hear how she did it to the tune of 7 figures.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:35] A few announcements for you to get some free help!
  • [3:44] How Sophie got started in private label sales.
  • [6:01] How Sophie got the offer for her business and why she took it.
  • [10:10] The ideas Sophie had about her business when she started.
  • [12:49] What Sophie did to launch and build her product sales.
  • [16:54] Sophie’s thoughts about creating an open brand.
  • [19:24] The approach to market research Sophie follows to build a new product.
  • [24:08] Sophie’s approach to writing emails to her list and following.
  • [28:25] Advice for the person just starting out - finding your sweet spot.
  • [34:00] How the recent review policies impact Sophie’s approach.
  • [37:34] The importance of getting off Amazon and building your own email list.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS303.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

The new year is a great time to do some planning for what’s ahead, to set goals for yourself and your business to make sure you are able to accomplish the most you can. But it’s not only reserved for the new year, you should do planning and goal setting anytime you notice the need. On this episode, Scott walks through his own planning process for setting goals and accomplishing them. His process involves asking the right questions, planning backward, and pushing himself to go a bit farther than he thinks he can. You’ll benefit from hearing what Scott does so grab your notepad and pencil and take some great notes!

If you’re going to accomplish what you want, you’ve got to plan to do it.

One of the things Scott has noticed is that many people have wishes or hopes for what their life could be like, but very few people actually take the steps needed to ensure that their hopes become reality. It doesn’t make sense but it’s true. If you want to accomplish something you’ve got to be willing to create a plan for achieving it - and then you’ve got to be willing to take steps to make it happen. On this episode, Scott’s walking through his personal planning process as an example for you to follow in creating your own goals and planning to achieve them.

The goals you shoot for depend on the questions you ask yourself.

It’s very important in any business to create goals, but the success you have in developing the right goals depends on the KINDS of questions you ask yourself - and the WAY the questions are phrased make a lot of difference. On this episode of The Amazing Seller podcast, Scott is going to show you how the right questions can lead to bigger goals and a more spectacular accomplishment of them. You won’t want to miss this simple but powerful tweak that can help you set and attain the goals you really want.

Backward planning is the best way to ensure that you’re going to get to your goals.

Once you’ve got your goals in place - once you can clearly see what you want to attain - you’ve got to devise a very clear plan of action for how you will accomplish those goals. The best way Scott has found to do this is to start with the goal itself and work backward. Take one step back, just prior to accomplishing the finished goal and clearly outline what that place will look like. Then take one step backward from there and do the same thing. Keep going until you get all the way back to where you currently are. What you have before you at that point is a clear action plan that will take you step by step to your goal. Now it’s time to get busy by applying it to a timeline. Find out how Scott does it on this episode of The Amazing Seller podcast.

Why you need to create a 3-year vision for what you want your business to look like.

Do know really know what you’re headed towards? It’s not just about monetary goals and business success - it’s about the KIND of company you want to run, the types of relationships you want to have, the quality of life that you want your family to enjoy, and more. On this episode of the podcast, Scott highlights the importance of having a 3-year vision for where you are headed and why it can be a powerful catalyst for your forward motion and the accomplishment of your goals. You should take the time to listen. You’ll have a bigger vision and a more exciting motivation to reach your goals if you do.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast about vision and planning!
  • [4:21] The tools you’ll need to create your vision and action plan.
  • [7:00] Getting started by asking the right questions to discover your goals.
  • [13:47] Ask yourself specific questions about your goals.
  • [15:30] Working backwards from your goals to create your plan.
  • [20:00] Use a calendar to create your 90 day plan and 30 day sprints.
  • [25:25] Create a 3 year vision for your company and life.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS302.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

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