Rock Your Brand Podcast

There are lots of ways to make money using the power of the internet. But how many of them can be broken down into a repeatable system that works every time with the right amount of hard work and attention to the system? Amazon private label sales is one of those and The Amazing Seller podcast is all about helping you understand and apply the principles behind the launch system Scott has discovered. Nothing is held back. You get all the tools you need to get that business off the ground without spending a dime on courses. Today’s episode highlights the most popular episodes of the podcast over the last year, and as you’ll see, many of them have to with the very first steps you need to take in order to get your own private label business off the ground.

An Amazon keyword tip Scott learned by mistake.

Scott’s been working hard to roll out a couple of new products and learned something by mistake that can help you with product ranking. He put up two listing for two new products, one that is slightly different than the other. He started a PPC campaign for one of them, but the OTHER one (the one without PPC driving traffic) started ranking on Amazon. How could that be? On this episode (right about 4:01) Scott’s going to share that tip with you just to show you how the things he’s stressed in his previous episodes still hold true today and to help you maximize your own efforts so that your business can thrive.

What is YOUR favorite TAS podcast from the past year?

The stats don’t like and this year they show that Scott’s conversation with Greg Mercer, creator of Jungle Scout is one of the most downloaded and listened to episodes he did this year. Scott learned a ton as Greg shared, not only how Jungle Scout works, but also how he’s been able to teach people to use it. There’s a video on the show notes page for that episode where Greg walks you through the steps for using his amazing product. No wonder it was such a popular episode… it’s packed full of goodness. Be sure to listen to this episode where Scott unpacks the reasons behind the popularity of his most downloaded episodes of the year.

Do you know how to make your Amazon listing the very best it can be?

When you’re adding a new product to Amazon it might seem like you’re just filling in blanks. But there’s tons more to it than that. One of the favorite episodes this year was episode 86, where Amazon copywriting expert Karon Thackston shared some of the top things you can do to make your Amazon listings more searchable, findable, and powerful in the Amazon search engine. As you listen to what she has to share, it’s a lot more than filling in blanks, and the better you know how to do it the more powerful your product listings will be. You can hear Scott’s explanation of why this episode was so popular and how you can get the most out of it, on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Here is proof that Amazon Private Label businesses actually work.

One of the features of the Amazing Seller Podcast is that Scott regularly highlights people who are doing private label sales successfully. But it’s not “pie in the sky” stuff; he shares the ups and downs, the successes and the mistakes. He wants every listener to get a realistic view of what private label sales is like and how they can make the most of the experience others have had to move their own business toward success. On this episode you’ll hear about a handful of the many, many case studies Scott has featured where Amazon sellers have been able to pull in over $10K per month or more creating and selling private label products. It’s more evidence that Amazon private label sales is the real deal.

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:00] Scott’s invitation to join his free, 10 day course to learn how to sell private label products on Amazon.
  • [0:47] Introduction to this “best of” episode from 2015!
  • [2:40] A shout out to the TAS Facebook community!
  • [4:01] An Amazon ranking tip Scott learned by mistake!
  • [9:05] #1 Episode of the year: Episode 56 (Greg Mercer)
  • [11:38] #2 Episode of the year: Episode 100 (A round table discussion)
  • [14:32] #3 Episode of the year: Episode 86 - listing optimization tips
  • [16:20] #4 Episode of the year: Episode 104 - Build your business to 6K
  • [17:38] #5 Episode of the year: Episode 95 - $11K in one month (case study)
  • [18:54] #6 Episode of the year: Episode 110 with Tyson Starling
  • [19:39] #7 Episode of the year: Episode 114 - $10K per month product launch
  • [21:21] #8 Episode of the year: Episode 119 - Using the new PPC
  • [22:00] #9 Episode of the year: Episode 45 - 7 tips for choosing your first product
  • [22:41] #10 Episode of the year: Episode 6 - Finding your first product without getting scammed.
  • [27:00] A sound clip from Danny (no B.S.) Brewer.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

www.FreePrivateLabelCourse.com -  Scott’s free course.

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/56 - with Greg Mercer, #1 episode of 2015

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/100 - The round table discussion

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/86 - Listing optimization tips

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/104 - with Scott Thomas

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/95  - Case study: Build your business to 11K/mo

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/110 - with Tyson Starling, 12K/mo and beyond

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/114 - $10K per month product launch

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/45 - 7 tips for choosing your first product

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/6 - Finding your first product without getting scammed

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/start - get started today

NEW To The Blog and Podcast?

I created a Page Just for You called…START HERE!

If you enjoyed this episode share the love with your friends…Click To Tweet the show.

Subscribe To Be The First To Receive Updates and NEW Podcast Episodes

Direct download: TAS144.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Taxes. Uggghh. But it’s part of life that is certain, and that you have to deal with or else. This episode of the Amazing Seller is perhaps long overdue because it walks us through the details of business taxes, business structures, and the decisions you need to make in order to remain compliant with the U.S. laws regarding income and expenses in your business. For that important topic Scott asked his new CPA, Josh Bauerly to come onto the show to share from his expertise about all of these issues and a whole lot more. You’re going to get great, professional advice that can save you thousands - yes, THOUSANDS of dollars if you do it right. Be sure to listen so you can get all the details.

 

What are the differences between an accountant and a CPA, and how do I know if I should be using a CPA?

 

Most of us don’t know the answers to these questions, and many of us don’t need to know because our businesses are still on the small side. But once your business begins generating profits of $50K or more per year, you’re going to need to understand these questions and make sure you’re doing what’s best for you and your business. An accountant is someone who simply keeps accurate record of what comes in and what goes out. A CPA has gone through specified training and has specialized knowledge on tax laws and much more. Listen to Josh Bauerly’s explanation of what he does as a CPA and how businesses can benefit from his kind of services, on this episode of the Amazing Seller.

 

Sole Proprietor? C-Corporation? S-Corporation? LLC?

 

There are 4 basic kinds of business entities that you could form your business as, but how do you know which is right for you? Today’s guest, Josh Bauerly, is a CPA who says that much of the decision depends on the size of your business and your entity decision may change as your business grows. On this episode Josh walks through every one of the options in details and tells you the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision. He’s also got a very strong opinion about the best one and tells you why he feels so strongly about it. You can hear all of that by listening to this episode of the podcast.

 

When do I need to invest in a payroll company?

 

Josh Bauerly’s experience as a CPA has given him the opportunity to observe how many businesses approach this question. And in his experience he’s come to some pretty firm conclusions about the answer. He believes that given the small expense that payroll companies are nowadays (you can find one for $30 a month, online), every business, especially LLC and S-corps should invest in the service to make sure everything is being handled correctly. It’s one of the many things you’ll hear on this episode that could not only save you money, but also keep you out of trouble with the IRS. Take the time to listen to this long-overdue episode!

 

What documents do I need to keep?


Business expenses do need to be documented, should the IRS ask to see the proof of the expense. Since that’s the case, how should you be organizing and keeping those records? The main thing is to keep a list of expenses and income, categorized so that you can know what you’ve spent on what. Today’s guest, CPA Scott Buerly, suggests that you keep those records regularly, and keep all receipts in a shoe box or some other catch-all system so you can produce them if needed. That way you have everything you need, if and when you need it, and your accountant will be able to do a good job with the records you provide.

Direct download: TAS143.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

If you are at all interested in learning how to sell private label products on Amazon, you’ve found the right podcast! The Amazing Seller is all about Amazon private label, and Scott Voelker leads the way teaching and sharing everything he knows to help you get your business rocking and rolling. On this episode you’re going to hear Scott’s weekly Q&A session, which he does every Friday. On this episode you’re going to hear questions and answers about Amazon PPC, Product research and selection, logos and branding,

 

Can my Pay per Click (PPC) campaigns wind up competing with each other for keywords?

 

The short answer: Yes. If you use exact keyword matching on more than one campaign you could wind up competing with yourself, costing yourself money. If you’re using other forms of PPC, it’s possible you won’t be competing with yourself, but to make sure, there’s a simple little tool you can use to ensure that you’re not competing with yourself. It’s called “negative keywords” and on this episode Scott is going to share how to use them to maximize your keywords in your pay per click campaigns.

 

I found 4 or 5 versions of a product in Jungle Scout that all look like the very same product. One of them has lots of reviews and sales, the others hardly have any. Why is that?

 

If you’ve spent any time at product research you’ve likely seen a similar situation. Many of the products can wind up looking the same simply because the same suppliers are being used. But one of them always seems to pull out in front to be the dominant product. There are lots of reasons for this, but rather than focusing on what that one product is doing, Scott wants to know how the others are doing. Can you guess why? Scott’s going to tell you all about it on this episode in answer to a listener question, so be sure you stick around to hear the details.

 

I think it’s time to design my product/brand logo. Any suggestions?

 

When it comes time to put a “look” to your brand or product, there are no easy avenues to getting it done. You’re typically going to have to spend the bucks to hire a professional designer to produce the look and feel you’re looking for. On this episode Scott mentions some of the places he’d go to find that kind of help, but he’s also going to put the focus on something else you need to make sure you nail down far ahead of your logo. Care to guess what it is? You’ll hear Scott’s words of wisdom on this episode.

 

I think one of my competitors is doing something against the Amazon terms of service. When is it OK to report them?

 

It’s not supposed to happen but sometimes Amazon sellers do things against the rule to try to game the system and gain an advantage. If your competition is doing that, it can cost you some revenue at times, depending on what it is they’re doing. This listener thinks his competition is listing the exact same product with the exact same UPC multiple times. He’s curious if it’s OK for him to report this seller, or if he should. On this episode you’re going to hear Scott’s candid reply based on his own ethics and experience. It should serve to guide you in your decisions of this nature.



OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Welcome to this “Ask Scott” episode!
  • [1:04] An inspiring from to the TAS Facebook community!
  • [4:30] How you can learn to do private label selling.
  • [5:47] QUESTION ONE: PPC keywords: Can they compete with each other?
  • [11:00] QUESTION TWO: Can you help me understand the differences I’m seeing in products within Jungle Scout? They seem to be identical products but one is selling much more than the others.
  • [17:45] QUESTION THREE: I’m struggling how to go about designing a logo for my product. Can you help?
  • [22:06] QUESTION FOUR: Why am I seeing duplicate listings on the very same products? I thought Amazon didn’t allow that.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.FreePrivateLabelCourse.com

 

Scott’s interview on Entrepreneur On Fire - http://www.eofire.com/podcast/scottvoelker/

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/119 - The episode on PPC with Chris Schaeffer

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/56 - Episode with Greg Mercer about Jungle Scout

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/JS - Scott’s affiliate link for Jungle Scout.

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/141 - The episode on finding an agent.

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop


www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS142.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Hey, hey! Welcome to this episode of The Amazing Seller podcast, the best place you can hear how to run and manage your successful Amazon Private Label business! Scott Voelker has an amazing thing going on here, passing out free information and tips for those who want to create their own private label business, selling products on Amazon. It’s great to have you here and you’re invited to listen, interact, and learn from the TAS community both on this site and on Facebook. Take some time to listen to this episode and you’ll understand the incredible value that is packed into every one of these episodes.

 

This episode: How to find a sourcing agent for your products.

 

One of the most important but most uncertain parts of any Amazon based business is finding and sourcing products. If your supplier is in China or some other part of the world, that interaction becomes more and more difficult. To make this piece of the process easier, you might want to consider finding an agent in country who can work with you to get your products sourced. It’s a great step toward simplifying your product selection and ordering process and could serve to further your business both now and in the future. Scott gets questions about this often, so be sure you listen to get all his tips.

 

Consider finding a sourcing agent to be the same as conducting a job interview.

 

When you’re looking for a sourcing agent, you want to get the very best person you can. This person will be an integral part of your team, someone who could make your business grow at a much faster rate and in unique and powerful ways. You want to take great care in finding just the right person. Scott’s got some very practical tips to help you go exactly that, on this episode, so make sure that you find the time to listen to Scott’s tips - and begin brainstorming how these principles might be a benefit to your business.

 

Is pricing the main thing to be concerned about in finding a sourcing agent?

 

You might think that the main thing you’re going to be looking at in finding an agent is the price they can get for your products. While that is a very important thing to consider, you also want to consider a handful of other things that have nothing to do with price. Is the agent easy to work with? Are they able to offer you additional products that go along with your product line? Can they combine products, provide printing, packaging, and other things essential to your business? If you want to know the kinds of things you should consider, listen to this episode!

 

How well can a potential sourcing agent work with you? It’s vitally important that you know.

 

The questions you ask as you interview potential sourcing agents will help you know if they are the right fit for your company. You want to know if the person is going to be easy to work with overall. That means they have to be able to communicate clearly and understand what you are saying as well. Can they follow directions? Can they get things done that you need to be done? Are they flexible and responsive. All these issues and more need to be considered and you can hear Scott’s take on every one of them, on this episode.

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Welcome to this episode: Do you need a product sourcing agent?
  • [0:58] Thanks to the TAS Facebook community and the new criteria to allow people into the group.
  • [2:46] A great success story from a Facebook TAS group member!
  • [4:14] How you can get into the TAS Facebook group.
  • [4:20] How you can find a sourcing agent for your overseas products.
  • [5:00] Some of the best places for you to find a sourcing agent.
  • [12:00] How to screen or interview your prospective agent.
  • [17:39] The email Scott sends to potential suppliers.
  • [20:17] How to move to the next level in your negotiations.
  • [22:00] Discovering how well your agent is able to work with you.
  • [27:30] Questions Scott gets often that have to do with this issue.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.Alibaba.com

 

www.Aliexpress.com

 

www.Upwork.com

 

Canton Fair

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/6 - the episode containing the email Scott suggests to introduce yourself to agents.

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop


www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS141.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

There are many people who don’t believe that making a very good living by selling products on Amazon is really possible. They’re the doubters, the ones who don’t know the reality of what is possible by leveraging the amazing Amazon platform to their advantage. Today’s guest, Amber, was one of those people. She heard about FBA from a relative and had her doubts. But over time she decided to at least give it a try, and began with just over $1,000. Her success has been amazing - over $20,000 in product sales already! In this conversation she tells Scott how her journey has progressed, what’s going on now, and and how you can get involved if you’re willing to take action!

 

From doubter to amazing seller in 6 month’s time.

 

When Amber first heard about private label sales on Amazon she thought it couldn’t really work the way she was hearing. But once she gave it a try, she discovered that she was wrong. Her products have taken off in an amazing way, selling as many as 200 items per day. Since that time she’s begun a second brand and product line, aiming to build her business to even greater heights. Amber’s experience demonstrates that if you are willing to take action, you can build your own business to support yourself and your lifestyle. Listen to Amber’s story and get some inspiration about what you can achieve!

 

Why taking action is the most important step.

 

Since Amber was a skeptic when she first heard of Amazon private label sales, she could have easily sat back, watched things happen, scoff at the amazing stories she heard, and left it at that. But she didn’t. She took some action steps to try it out for herself, to test it out to see if what she was hearing was reality. What she discovered is that selling on Amazon is even more lucrative and powerful than she thought. She’s gone from skeptic to sold out believer, in just 6 month’s time. You can hear her story on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

 

Where did Amber get a product idea that sells $20K a month?

 

Amazingly, Amber didn’t get her product idea from using a fancy software package and doing a lot of research. She simply paid attention to the things that were going on around her, saw a product someone she knew was using, and thought it might be a good product to offer on Amazon. Turns out she was right. That product is now selling to the tune of over $20,000 per month. How is that possible? For sure, she happened to hit on a great product at the right time, but she also had the benefit of being an action taker. If that product hadn’t worked out nearly as well, she likely would have tried something else. You’ve got to take action. It’s really that simple. Take some time to listen to this episode so you can hear Amber’s entire story.

 

Scott’s 10X10X1 strategy has multiplied itself over and over for Amber.

 

The basic structure Scott suggests new Amazon sellers aim for is 10 products, selling 10 per day. But because she took action Amber has seen that kind of success with only one product and a few variations. Her success is obviously not something that anyone can guarantee for new sellers but it clearly demonstrates that even without a ton of research, great product ideas and lucrative income can be a reality. Think of what might happen if you DO put into practice all the research and tips that skilled and seasoned sellers like Scott are teaching? Your success could be greater than Ambers!

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Welcome to this episode of The Amazing Seller - introduction to today’s show!
  • [1:33] Your invitation to the TAS Facebook group!
  • [2:27] Scott’s introduction to Amber, a member of the TAS facebook community.
  • [3:30] The unreal experience Amber is having.
  • [4:13] How Amber was introduced to private label sales on Amazon.
  • [9:00] Amber’s first order and how she got started.
  • [11:10] How Amazon’s removal of family and friends reviews affected Amber.
  • [12:50] Starting Amazon PPC and the beginning of sales.
  • [15:10] Selling an average of 13 per day and growing from there.
  • [17:48] Issues running out of inventory.
  • [19:00] Adding variations and modifications: the benefits in being unique and in keywords.
  • [22:30] How adding the variations impacted Amber’s sales.
  • [24:48] From an order of 300 to an order of 6000, growth is happening!
  • [32:30] How Amber discovered her initial product.
  • [35:53] Amber’s feelings about the Amazon platform now and how she recommends others approach their own business ideas.
  • [38:24] Scott’s summary of the conversation and what you can take from it.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop


www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS140.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

The most amazing part of having an Amazon Private Label business is that it allows you to build your own real business to support your family and the lifestyle you desire. And there’s a huge community of people making their living this way, and most of them are inside Scott’s TAS community on Facebook. On this episode you’re going to hear Scott’s congrats to one of the members of that community for the great success he’s beginning to see in his business. Be sure to listen to this “Ask Scott” episode to hear that shout-out and to hear some very practical questions answered.

 

What kind of budget should I have to get started with an Amazon private label business from scratch?

 

A listener to the show asks a very important question today regarding the beginning stages of beginning a business like Scott has on Amazon. It’s all about budget. How much money should you expect to put into the launch phase of your new Amazon business? Scott says “it depends,” on your product, your niche, and lots of other things - but overall he thinks you should try for around $5,000 to get started, even though there have been some very successful sellers who began with much, much less. Listen to this epiosode to hear Scott’s full answer and to get your head around the steps involved in finding a product, producing it, and getting it into Amazon to sell.

 

I want to double check the quality of my products before sending them to Amazon, but I live in Sweden. What do you suggest?

 

International Amazon sellers definitely have some unique hurdles to get past in order to build a successful business that sells on the U.S. Amazon store.One of those has to do with assuring product quality when it comes from an overseas supplier. Scott typically recommends that you have your products sent to you before sending them to Amazon, exactly SO you can check the quality before it goes to Amazon. But for international sellers that requires an extra shipping step and therefore an extra expense. There are some creative ways current international sellers have dealt with that issue, and Scott highlights some of those things on this episode, so be sure to hear his explanations.

 

I’m new to this Amazon private label thing. What’s a UPC code and what is it used for?

 

Ahhh...the mysterious UPC code. What is it that’s encoded into that numeric and striped barcode? It’s not really all that difficult and Scott’s going to cover it on this episode. Basically, Amazon uses the UPC code to ensure the proper identification of your product. For that reason, every product or variation of a product has to have its own unique UPC code. That means that a bundle of products would need an individual UPC code that is different from each of the products inside that bundle. It sounds confusing but it’s not. Listen to this episode to hear Scott’s run down of how Amazon uses UPC codes and how you can get UPCs to go on your products.

 

How do you determine what product supplier to use when they all are vying for your business by dropping the prices on each other?


A listener has a very good problem. He’s been researching his products from a handful of suppliers and each of them keeps dropping their prices based on the quotes the others are giving him. He’s trying to decide which supplier he should use and feels bad to turn down these suppliers that he’s had such long conversations with. Scott’s got some great insights into this issue and points out that it’s not only a pricing issue. There’s also supply issues, turnaround time, shipping methods and times, and more. For some powerfully important things to consider when sourcing your products, you should make sure you  listen to this episode!

Direct download: TAS139.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Every year it happens. A new year comes and people make new year’s resolutions. Though resolutions may not be the best way to go about changing your life, it does represent a very important concept: You CAN change your life! Scott’s focus on this episode is to help you get yourself ready to achieve some amazing things in the next 12 months. He wants to see your Amazon business thrive and even explode in 2016. Listen in to hear how Scott suggests you go about setting yourself up for massive success in the coming year.

 

Questions are powerful, if you’ll take the time to ask the right ones.

 

If you’re going to see your business (or your life, for that matter) grow, you’re going to have to begin asking questions about what’s been happening so far. On this episode Scott’s going to walk you through some of the basic questions you need to ask yourself to prepare for things to be different this coming year. The very first one you’ve got to ask is “Where am I now?’ If you don’t clearly understand what’s been working and what hasn’t been working in the way you do your Amazon business, you won’t know what tweaks you should make to improve things this coming year. So take the time to listen to this powerful episode, then take the time to ask yourself the right questions to enable your success.

 

Goal’s without actions steps are just dreams.

 

If you’re going to make your dreams come into reality, you’re going to have to take action. That’s Scott’s favorite saying because it’s one of the most common reasons that people’s dreams don’t come true. They don’t do anything about it. Scott’s got a very practical way of defining and outlining goals so that they can be broken down into step by step processes that allow you to take action to see your dreams come into reality. It’s not complex, but it does require work. So be sure to listen to this episode to find out how Scott does it and to begin your own process of improving your own goal setting techniques and make those dreams come to life!

 

A 90 day sprint is a powerful way to move your business forward!

 

Projects are powerful. Think about a home improvement project… you set aside a certain amount of money and a certain amount of time to dedicate yourself to focusing on getting the project done. If you don’t do that, you’ll wind up with your house demolished for months on end. But if you do, you’ll soon be enjoying the benefit of a newly renovated house. That very same thing can happen in your business as you set shorter, concentrated periods of time to work on an accomplish your goals. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but you’ll be amazed at the powerful and important things you can get done within the next 90 days if you set your mind to it and get started. Scott’s got a real life example from the Amazon private label world to help you think it through, so be sure to listen tot his episode.

 

A real-life example helps things make sense… so here’s one you can relate to.

 

Scott’s not one to deal in abstract terms, so he’s decided to conclude this episode with a real-life, Amazon based example of how you can ask the right questions, set the right goals, break down those goals in actionable steps, and then put all that effort into a 90 day sprint in order to get some amazing things accomplished. It’s an amazing tool for you to apply to your own business and products so that you can set yourself up for great success in the coming year. Don’t miss out, Scott’s got a ton of great stuff to share with you on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Welcome to this new episode about planning and taking action in the new year.
  • [0:55] The last live workshop for 2015 is coming up!
  • [2:23] A couple of tools Scott is using to create this episode.
  • [4:30] Ask yourself the question: “Where am I now and where do I want to be in 12 months?”
  • [7:00] Ask yourself the question: “Where do I want to be in 90 days?”
  • [8:14] Break down all the steps it will take to reach that 90 day goal.
  • [8:36] Create your plan by reverse engineering your goal.
  • [9:43] Create deadlines for your plans.
  • [11:56] An example of how this process works.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

 

Google Drive

 

Workflowy

Direct download: TAS138.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

You’ve heard Scott say it a million times, “Take Action!” Today’s conversation is with a guest who did exactly that when he decided that he was going to try his hand at Amazon Private Label sales. He did the research, chose his product, and got rolling with practical actions right away. Today you’re going to hear Andy Irvine’s story of how he made it past $10K in just 30 days of selling his Amazon product. He walks through the process step by step, prompted by Scott’s questions. You’re going to learn a ton from this conversation, so be sure to listen!

 

Can international sellers really make it big with Amazon private label sales?

 

Today’s conversation should leave no doubt about the answer to that question because Andy Irvine, Scott’s guest today is from Australia. He ordered his products from China and worked very carefully with his supplier to have his products shipped directly to the Amazon warehouse in the U.S. It took hard work and lots of careful research to make sure he was operating according to Amazon’s terms of service, but he did it. You’re going to hear it all on this episode, so don’t miss it!

 

The 2nd product launch and a massive giveaway.

 

After his first product was selling pretty well, Andy Irvine decided that on his second product he would do a big giveaway. He chose to use promotions to give away 100 products and within days his product listing went from barely being able to be found, to the first page for his main keyword choice. He was very happy with the decision because of the jump start it gave his product, and the addition of a second product seemed to increase the sales of his first product as well. Andy’s very generous to give away all his secret and mindsets for why he did what he did, on this episode.

 

What if you want your China supplier to ship directly to Amazon?

 

If you’ve listened to The Amazing Seller for very long you know that Scott and others who have been on the show have recommended that you always have your products shipped to yourself before you send them to Amazon so that you can ensure that everything is as it should be. It’s a quality control step that is very wise. But since Andy Irvine was operating in Australia and the double shipping cost would have been prohibitive, he took a number of specific steps to allow for his products to be shipped directly to the Amazon warehouse without any problems. On this episode you’re going to hear the details of what he did, how he did it, and the phenomenal results he experienced.

The importance of getting started even if you don’t have your brand figured out.

 

When Andy Irvine started his Amazon business, he and his wife both wanted to create a specific brand of products, eventually providing many products in a larger product line. But they didn’t have all those ideas figured out yet. Andy wasn’t content to wait until they got their act together, so he decided to simply research a good product and take action. Putting that product onto the Amazon sales engine was the best thing he could have done. The sales from it, and a second product shortly after, have given he and his wife time to figure out the brand issues, start ordering products to fit that brand, and do it all with profits from their Amazon sales. You’re going to be inspired by  Andy’s “take action” attitude.

 

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Introduction of this episode with a special guest: Andy Irvine (an international seller from Australia).
  • [2:26] Andy’s story of how he got started selling on Amazon and why Amazon was the choice he made.
  • [9:00] The particular hurdles Andy has to get past in order to work out of Australia and sell on the U.S. store.
  • [11:16] Andy’s first steps of product research, when he first began, and now.
  • [15:42] The importance of cross referencing sales history on potential products.
  • [16:55] Andy’s first order of products - 2000 units!
  • [18:00] Working with suppliers.
  • [19:31] What Andy did in regard to packaging for his products and how he created insert cards for the products.
  • [21:21] What was Andy doing while he waited for his order of products to come?
  • [23:30] The use of keywords in Amazon listings and how Andy did it.
  • [24:53] The launch process Andy experienced and how he’s refined it each time (he’s done 2 products so far), including shipping issues he had to work out with his supplier.
  • [32:00] Lessons learned about Amazon costs and PPC expenses.
  • [33:44] The need to scale the business and building his second product.
  • [39:00] How Andy used PPC (Pay per click) to drive traffic to his products.
  • [42:00] The importance of following the system over time.
  • [44:47] Why the 10X10X1 strategy is what Andy believes really works.
  • [47:00] Running out of stock on his 2nd product far in advance of what he thought.
  • [50:15] Getting started on a 3rd product and what Andy does most days.
  • [50:59] Things Andy would change in the processes that he followed.
  • [55:07] Andy’s advice for people just getting started.
  • [58:46] Scott’s summary of the conversation: hustle, action, and diligence.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

 

The 4 Hour Work Week - book

 

 

Direct download: TAS137.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

One of the best things about Scott’s experience as an Amazon Private Label seller is that it’s been a great learning laboratory… not just for him but for you! Scott’s not shy about sharing what he’s doing in terms of profits and losses with his Amazon Sales business. He does it because he’s eager to show you what can really happen with an Amazon business and because he wants to help you improve yours to improve your own lifestyle. On this episode he’s going over his profits and losses for the month of November, 2015. Listen to Scott’s take on his numbers to learn how you can tweak your products, listings, and increase your profits.

Not to impress you, but to impress upon you!

 

Some people feel that for someone in Scott’s position to share the actual numbers of his profits and losses, they’re just bragging. But Scott doesn’t see it that way at all. His transparency is for a handful of great reasons: #1 - to show you that he’s a regular guy who’s able to do some amazing things because he’s taking action consistently. #2 - He genuinely wants to help you get your Amazon business rolling, and if you can learn how to do that by him sharing the details of his experience, he’s all for it! And finally, #3, he wants you to see the proof that making a great living from an Amazon private label business is entirely possible for anyone who is willing to put in the work.

 

OUTLINE OF THIS BONUS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Scott’s introduction to this BONUS episode.
  • [1:31] The 4th quarter buzz and experience.
  • [3:00] Black Friday and Cyber Monday comparisons.
  • [4:33] Profits for the month of November 2015.
  • [6:00] Scott’s goal for the future.
  • [7:03] Bundling or differentiating are HUGE for future sales.
  • [7:40] Why competing on price will hurt your bottom line.
  • [10:55] How Scott’s bottom line was impacted by a pricing war he got into.
  • [17:38] Scott’s current activity: including some new product launches.
  • [19:26] Remember that every business will have its ups and downs. How do you weather them?

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/128 - Episode with Danny Brewer abotu “Lightning Deals”

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

Direct download: BONUS20_20November20201520Income202B20Lessons20Learned.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

These “Ask Scott” episodes are Scott’s way of sitting down with you over a cup of coffee to talk about the ins and outs of doing business as an Amazon Private Label seller. It’s where you get the opportunity to ask an experienced and successful Amazon seller how he does the things he does to make his Amazon business successful. In this episode Scott answers real questions sent in from real listeners like you so get ready to hear practical responses to real life scenarios. And you can also find out how to ask your own questions, so be sure to listen.

 

How can I find the right graphic designer for my images, graphics, box, etc.?

 

There are lots of people who say they are graphic designers, but you’ve got to know that if you pay a small amount you’re not going to get good quality. This is a very important issue for Amazon sellers. You’ve got to have professional looking product logos and labels, and promotional materials so you don’t want to skimp on this. But how do you go about getting those things created in a way that gets you the quality you need? On this episode Scott answers a listener question about that issue and has a great recommendation of a place to go to find the right designer for you.

 

I’ve already launched one product that didn’t work out, so I’m looking at another. Should I delete the first product listing before I have my second ready?

 

Scott was very impressed with this listener. He followed through with the launch of a “test product” just to learn. The product didn’t sell as well as hoped but he took it as a learning experience and is giving Amazon sales another try. His question centers around what he should do with his previous product and its listing during the interim when he doesn’t have his new product ready yet. Scott’s answer, as usual, is common sense and very helpful. Find the time to sit down and listen to his response to this question. You’ll be glad you did!

 

I really believe that my product can change it’s market, but the market is very, very competitive. Is it unrealistic to think I can do that?

 

There are certain categories or niches on Amazon that are very, very crowded and competitive. It’s not typically a recommendation to try Amazon private label sales in a niche that is so crowded. It’s going to be harder than it needs to be and success will come very slowly. But this listener is convinced that his product idea is a game changer, but it would be in a very, very competitive niche. Scott gives advice about how to go about launching that kind of product and talks about the different sorts of tactics that you could take to get your game changing product the exposure it’s going to need. You won’t want to miss this one!

 

Do you have a question you need answered about Amazon Private Label sales?

 

Sometimes the best thing for you as you learn a new skill or area of expertise is to simply sit down with someone who’s been there and done that. The Ask Scott sessions of The Amazing Seller Podcast are exactly that. It’s your chance, every Friday, to have Scott answer your questions relating to Amazon Private Label sales. You can ask your question by going to www.TheAmazingSeller.com/ask - and if Scott feels that your question is one that would help the entire TAS community, you’ll be hearing your question answered on the air!



OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Introduction of this Q&A episode: Ask Scott!
  • [0:23] If you’d like to ask your question… here’s how!
  • [1:43] The last FREE Workshop for 2015.
  • [2:23] A story from the TAS Community on Facebook!
  • [8:04] QUESTION ONE: Creating images and templates for my Amazon product: How do I find the right person to help me get those things done?
  • [13:04] QUESTION TWO: Should I delete an old product that didn’t work out before I get a new product ready to list?
  • [16:50] QUESTION THREE: Is it unrealistic to create a physical brand in a very competitive niche on Amazon?
  • [25:10] QUESTION FOUR: What would you do with a product in a competitive niche that isn’t selling very well?
  • [

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/ask - Ask your question!

 

The post shared on the TAS group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TAS.Private.Group/permalink/541644156003722/

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

Interview with Greg Mercer - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/35

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS136.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Using tools makes any business easier to run. As your daddy used to say, “The right tool for the right job,” and it applies to your Amazon private label business as well. There’s also a lot of times when tools make your business harder, mainly because there can be so many options and it’s hard to decide or to carve out the time to assess every possibility. On this episode Scott’s going to share his top 8 tools, the ones that he feels he couldn’t live without. Get out your laptop or paper and pencil so that you can jot down the tools Scott’s using and how he’s doing it.

 

Did you know that Google Drive is a powerful tool for Amazon sellers to use?

 

If you’ve got a gmail account you are already connected to Google Drive and it’s full of tons of tools that can make your business more productive and effective - and it’s FREE! You can create spreadsheets, documents, slide shows, calendar, etc., and share them freely with many people or only one. And Google Drive gives you tons of great tools to use that are just as good as things you’d pay for but are entirely free. Listen to the variety of ways Scott uses this amazing suite of tools to further his Amazon private label business, all on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

 

Why Jungle Scout is Scott’s “won’t do without it” tool.

 

Scott says that he won’t do his business without Jungle Scout, even though he initially started doing the same type of thing Jungle Scout does for free, using a spreadsheet. But Jungle Scout does all of that and so much more, and significantly faster. There’s ways to use JS that simply blow you away once you realize the power of what they can do for your business. If you’d like to get a copy of Jungle Scout, you can go to the JS website or use Scott’s affiliate link in this show notes page to get a discounted version of this incredible software.

 

Accounting can be a real headache in any business.

 

It’s not just the numbers that drive you crazy, it’s the time required to get everything input and organized. Scott’s discovered a great, free app that he uses for 3 of his businesses that is saving him tons of time and does an amazing job. The software is called Waveapps and has a free version that is amazingly powerful. You can keep all of your business accounting up to date easily using this free software. If you’re interested in trying out Waveapps, use the link provided in the link section of this episode to go get your own free account!

 

Why the right tools can skyrocket your Amazon Private Label business:

 

Because working smarter, not harder, is still the way to go! Tools can be a huge part of working smarter. They enable you to automate processes that you do frequently, find data and information more quickly, share things with team members or others with a click or an automated notification, and tons of other things. As you can see, spending time doing each of those things individually would be a waste when you could be spending that time instead doing things that actually increase the profitability of your business. Scott shares his top 8 tools on this episode of The Amazing Seller, so don’t miss it!

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Introduction of the episode by Scott!
  • [2:20] A shout out to everyone in the TAS Facebook Community!
  • [3:05] The next FREE WORKSHOP is coming! Register now!
  • [3:54] Way to go Charles Smith! Another successful TAS community member.
  • [6:00] How I’m using Google Drive.
  • [12:07] Scott’s use of Jungle Scout (and the Chrome extension).
  • [14:30] The Jungle Scout web app - a new tool!
  • [16:35] Amasuite 4!
  • [22:00] How Scott uses www.CamelCamelCamel.com
  • [24:00] Salesbacker - the email follow up tool Scott uses.
  • [27:00] Wavapps - Scott’s free accounting software.
  • [28:35] The Workflowy app - a list making and task tracking software.
  • [29:20] Other optional apps that Scott has used or is testing.
  • [

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE



Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

Interview with Greg Mercer about Jungle Scout - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/35

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

 

Google Drive - https://www.google.com/drive/

 

Jungle Scout affiliate link - www.TheAmazingSeller.com/JS OR go to the Jungle Scout website

 

The Amasuite Software - http://getamasuite.com/

 

The episode about Amazon Top Reviewers - www.TheAmazingSeller.com/116

 

www.CamelCamelCamel.com

 

Google Trends - https://www.google.com/trends/

 

Salesbacker - https://www.salesbacker.com/

 

Waveapps - https://www.waveapps.com/

 

Workflowy - https://workflowy.com/

 

OTHERS:

 

AMZ Tracker - https://www.amztracker.com/

 

Edgar - http://www.MeetEdgar.com

Direct download: TAS135.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

Direct download: TAS134.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:56am EDT

It’s that time of the week. Friday. You’re almost calling it “good” for another week of hard work on your Amazon Private Label business. But don’t call it quits yet, Scott’s got another great episode of The Amazing Seller for you today, and ask you know, Friday’s are the Q & A episode so there’s lots of goodies in store for you today. And in case you didn’t know, Scott takes every Friday’s episode to answer your Amazon FBA questions. It doesn’t matter how specific they are or how “newbie” or expert you might think they are, Scott’s here to help you out. Listen to this episode to find out how you can submit your private label question for a future episode!

My private label product is in a category that doesn’t allow PPC. What can I do?

 

Did you know that Amazon does not allow their own PPC on certain categories? It’s true! That means that if you try to sell a product in one of those categories you’re going to be losing out on one of the best sources of lead generation and conversions you could have. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sell products in those categories. What do you do in that case? First off, you need to make sure your product listing is optimized to the keywords your buyers would use to search for your product. That’s the only way they’re going to find it (organically). You can also do promotions on your products or drive traffic from the outside using ads or an email list. You can hear Scott’s entire answer to this question on this episode. (By the way, you can see the categories where PPC IS allowed on the graphic below.)

A black hat tactic many unethical competitors are doing to dis your reviews.

 

Have you noticed that on the reviews of your Amazon product, people are allowed to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to the reviews themselves? It’s a way Amazon tries to make your helpful reviews available for new customers. The problem is that unethical competitors may go onto your listing and “thumbs down” your best reviews to keep them buried at the bottom. What should you do? The best advice Scott can give you is likely not what you want to hear, but you need to hear it anyway… on this episode.

 

I’m trying to keep better track of my inventory alongside my accounting. How do you do it?

 

Scott believes that simple is better when it comes to keeping records for your business. Inventory is an important part of your entire business and you need to be ethical in the way you keep track of it and report it for tax reasons. There are lots of tools you could use to help you keep track of your inventory and in this episode Scott avoids talking about them simply because he doesn’t use them. He’s going to tell you exactly what he does… and it’s so simple you’ll love it.

Is the 4th quarter a great enough sales time that my products will sell without much PPC?

 

The 4th quarter is traditionally the time when retail sales (including Amazon) spikes in all niches and markets. That’s because of the holidays surrounding Christmas. A listener asks if the 4th quarter might be a time that he could save a bit of cash by not doing PPC ads on his products, since sales are likely to be higher naturally. Scott’s answer includes that issue but also covers whether or not competition is involved, and how much there is. It’s a very good questions and  a very helpful answer, and you can hear it by listening to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Scott’s welcome to this “Ask Scott” episode!
  • [1:16] A shout-out to a TAS community member, John.
    • [3:18] QUESTION ONE: My product category does not allow PPC. What can I do?
    • [13:03] QUESTION TWO: Some of my best reviews are buried at the bottom of my reviews because they’ve not been “thumbed up.” What can I do to get those reviews toward the top so they’ll benefit me more?
    • [18:57] QUESTION THREE: How do you handle your inventory management?
    • [22:50] QUESTION FOUR: Is the 4th quarter really so good that I’ll get sales even if there are lots of competitors in my niche?
  • [27:30] Scott’s wrap up and invite to the next FREE Private Label Workshop.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/ask - Get your questions answered!

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

Interview with Greg Mercer - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/35

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS133.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

It’s a very common thing for brand new Amazon private label sellers… the question, “How do I find good product ideas?” Those are not just common questions, they are vital and important ones. You need good products if you’re going to make a run at an Amazon business. But finding those ideas is not as hard as you might think and on this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott Voelker is going to walk you through the way his brain works when it comes to finding new product ideas and niches (scary, right?). You’re going to see from a handful of real life examples Scott’s come across that finding ideas for new products is not as hard as you think.

 

For Private Label product ideas, nothing works better than a “Daily Touch List.”

 

One of the exercises Scott Voelker teaches in his private label workshops is the creation of a daily touch list. It’s a list you make as you go through your day where you write down every, single thing you touch during that day. It takes a while and is a bit nit-picky but what you’ll discover by doing it is that through the course of just one day there are thousands of product niches and ideas that you could investigate as possible private label products. As you analyze your basic list a bit further you’ll begin to see spin-off ideas and possibilities that you never would have thought of without making the list in the first place. Be sure to listen to this episode… Scott even gives away a few of the ideas he’s had in the past few months.

 

You’ve got to keep your eyes and ears open… private label product ideas are all around.

 

Scott was chatting with his buddy John a while back. They were just shooting the breeze, drinking a beer together, catching up on life. John’s in the extermination business and as the two of them chatted about John’s work and the various problems he faces, Scott remembered that one of the best and biggest sources of product ideas is the problems people face. He began to wonder what products might be needed in John’s particular niche and his brain started racing. Scott’s not going to create a line of pest control products, but he shares the example to show you that as you talk with people in the course of everyday life, product ideas spring to life if you simply know how to listen.

 

Are there local businesses in your area that make specialty products?

 

If so, you could be onto a new product idea for Amazon private label right there! Check out the company. Do they have a webpage? If not, they probably aren’t very internet savvy. You could potentially partner with them to get their products on Amazon and work out a deal where you get a certain amount of the profit they make from their overall Amazon sales. Or better yet, they might be willing to set up a wholesale arrangement with you so that you could private label their products and sell them as your own on Amazon. They’d get the wholesale profit and you’d have an almost “instant” Amazon brand that can’t be duplicated. Scott’s got lots of ideas like this to share, on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

 

Learning to live life on purpose and product ideas will spring up everywhere!

 

What does your sister or brother do for a living? Are there needs in that industry that you could service with a private label product? How about your neighbor or friend? What are the hobbies your grandparents enjoy? Is there a product idea there? Do you see how you can simply begin looking around and find many, many areas where product ideas might exist. You’ve just got to put in the time to think about it and ask some questions to discover if there’s potential for an Amazon product that could make you some cash. Be sure to listen to this episode to hear Scott’s suggestions for how to stimulate your brain to find more product ideas!

 

OUTLINE OF THIS INTERVIEW EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

 

  • [0:05] Scott’s introduction to this episode and how he came up with the idea.
  • [2:16] A highlight from episode 125 that inspired a TAS listener.
  • [6:42] A conversation Scott had that illustrates how Scott gets product ideas.
  • [9:25] The importance of keeping your eyes and ears open.
  • [11:18] The Daily Touch List strategy for product idea discovery.
  • [14:40] Think about the markets you come across in conversations and situations.
  • [18:24] Another example from Scott’s experience - organic soap.
  • [19:46] The importance of solving people’s problems.
  • [21:00] The possibilities of partnering with existing companies in your local area.
  • [24:00] Learning to think outside the box about everyday situations and things.

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/125 - Scott’s story episode

 

Scott’s free workshop  - http://www.TheAmazingSeller.com/workshop

 

www.TheAmazingSeller.com/FB - the TAS Facebook Community

Direct download: TAS132.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00am EDT

1