Rock Your Brand Podcast

Welcome to part two of this LIVE Hot Seat Session with Scott and Chris! You can find a link to part one of this Hot Seat Session down in the resources section below. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from the guys as they continue their deep dive into one of their student’s businesses. They particularly focus on keywords, how to get your product listing to rank, why it’s important to study the competition, how tools like Scope can help you get a competitive advantage, when it’s the right time to ramp up your PPC spending, and so much more! You don’t want to miss a minute of this informative and valuable episode!

Make sure to use tools like Scope!

As an ecommerce business leader, you want to maximize your efforts and eliminate as much inefficiency as possible. What is the best way to get the most out of your resources? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott and Chris as they explain how using tools like Scope can help sellers like you succeed utilize automation. Don’t get stuck taking the long way when you don’t have to! The benefit of starting your business in the ecommerce sector is all the amazing tools that are being developed to help you succeed and get more done. Hear all about the tools that Scott and Chris use and recommend on this engaging episode!

Why studying the competition can help you stay ahead.

When was the last time you took a look at the numbers of your closest competitors? Seriously! If you aren’t checking in on your competition on a regular basis, your chances of losing out to them increase significantly! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris go over the numbers of their student’s competition and explain why this exercise is so helpful. You don’t have to leave it all up to guesswork, take the time to investigate and stay ahead of the competition. If their numbers look better than yours do, turn it into a challenge and investigate why that’s the case. To hear more about this important topic, make sure to listen to this episode!

Don’t forget to have a focused PPC strategy!

What is your approach to your product listing and using PPC to drive traffic and get sales rolling? Have you thought that far ahead with your PPC strategy? What results have you seen using an aggressive PPC approach? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris explain why it’s vital to spend big on PPC and drive traffic to your optimized product listing. While it may seem risky, remember, this is part of a larger strategy to get the ball rolling and start bringing in sales. To hear how you can roll out an effective PPC approach including what works and what doesn’t, make sure to listen to this helpful hot seat session with Scott and Chris! You don’t want to miss it!

Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

One of the worst things you can do as an ecommerce business leader is to buy into the lie that you can have instant success overnight. If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long, you know that Scott is passionate about communicating this critical mindset shift. Building a successful ecommerce business is a marathon, not a sprint! If you want to succeed, you have to be willing to put in the investment and realize that you won’t see huge profit margins right away. To get a complete understanding of this mindset and what it takes to grow a thriving ecommerce business, make sure to listen to Scott and Chris’ advise on this valuable episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] Scott and Chris jump into keywords on part 2 of this Hot Seat Session.
  • [8:30] Why it’s important to consolidate your listings.
  • [12:00] The guys discuss what it takes to rank for certain keywords.
  • [14:00] Scott takes a look at the competition
  • [20:00] How a tool like Scope can help you in your keyword strategy.
  • [22:00] The difference between a “Fathead” term and a “Longtail” term.
  • [26:00] Why it’s a good idea to ramp up PPC spending.
  • [31:00] You’ve got to take a long view approach.
  • [36:00] Why the shotgun approach isn’t always a good idea.
  • [42:00] Closing thoughts from Scott.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS483.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

This is a great opportunity to learn from a LIVE Hot Seat Session here on The Amazing Seller! You’ll hear Scott and Chris go over the product data of one of their Private Label Classroom students as they analyze and give their input on how the student can improve their business and get the most out of their efforts. Be patient as the guys peel back the layers and really dissect the info to get to the heart of difficulties this seller is experiencing. This is part one of a two-part episode, make sure to have pen and paper ready so you can make note of all the info that is applicable for you and the process you are currently in on your journey. Don’t miss it!

Create bundles that make sense!

When you are building your ecommerce brand, don’t forget to take the time to create product bundles that make sense to the consumer! Too often, sellers will bundle products that don’t make any sense and often confuse the buyer, don’t let that happen to you! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris explain how you can set your brand up for success by delivering product bundles that provide value for your customer. Keep your brand consistent and on message by following the lessons that Scott and Chris have to share! Don’t miss this engaging episode!

Why it’s important to have a narrow focus for your product.

You’ve heard the old saying, “Jack of all trades and master of none” don’t let that saying be true of your brand or your products! While your product may have several applications, make sure that it is beneficial and not detrimental to list all those uses on your product listing! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott and Chris as they evaluate a listing that may be guilty of violating this important tenet. Find out how your product can stand out from the rest on this informative episode!

Traffic is vital to growing a viable ecommerce business.

While having a great product is really important, one of the critical factors of building a growing ecommerce business is getting enough traffic to your product listing. You could have a stellar product but if the traffic is missing, you’ll fail! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott goes over why it’s so important to make sure your product listing is getting enough traffic. Don’t think that you can get by with subpar traffic numbers! Find out from Scott and Chris what you need to do to make sure your product is in the best position to succeed! Make sure to listen to this episode to hear more about this important topic!

Take a step back and be honest with yourself.

The last thing you want as a business leader is to sink tons of time and resources into a product that isn't’ going anywhere. How do you avoid making that mistake? What can you do to ensure that you have the clarity to see when it’s time to reevaluate? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott explains how sellers like you can take a step back and be honest with yourself about the state of your business. While it may be difficult, it’s absolutely critical for successful business leaders to evaluate and learn from the highs and lows of starting their business. Where are you currently at in the process? What decisions do you need to make? Learn more on this helpful episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:30] Scott and Chris jump into a Hot Seat Session.
  • [7:30] Scott start’s to unpack several points to consider.
  • [11:30] Chris goes over the multiple listings.
  • [15:00] Why it’s important to have a singular focus for your product.
  • [17:00] Create bundles that make sense.
  • [19:30] Is your product getting enough traffic to be profitable?
  • [25:00] Don’t forget to make sure your conversion rate is at a good number.
  • [27:30] Closing thoughts from Scott.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS482.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What have you been struggling with lately as you continue on your journey to build your ecommerce business? What milestones have you been celebrating along the way? What lessons and advice have helped you take your business to the next level? This is a place where you can share all the highs and lows with your fellow TAS followers, welcome to another Ask Scott Session! On this episode, you’ll hear from Scott as he shares some of his recent thoughts about business and life and he’ll cover some important questions from business owners like you! Make sure you have pen and paper ready for all the great info and insights you’ll learn!

Building momentum is critical to success!

Have you found yourself stalling in your energy and efforts when it comes to getting your ecommerce business off the ground and running? Maybe you are in the throws of it and just can’t quite find the missing piece to take you to that next level of growth. For many sellers, it comes down to a lack of momentum! Did you know that momentum is absolutely critical for sustained success? It’s true! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he opens up about the significance of building and maintaining a good level of momentum both personally and professionally if you want to succeed. Don’t miss out on Scott’s helpful perspective, make sure to listen to this episode!

Is it better to ship by air or sea when starting out?

As you get ready to place that first order for the product you’ve selected from your supplier, you’ll face the decision of having it sent by sea or by air. Which one should you choose? What are the big differences? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares his thoughts on which option is the best choice for new sellers. The best route, according to Scott is to have a small order shipped to you by air when you are first starting out. He encourages this option because it will get your product to you faster and it will give you a worst case scenario on what to expect for the shipping costs. To hear Scott expand on this topic and more helpful tips on shipping, listen to this episode!

How to connect and partner with Social Media Influencers.

Have you reached the point in building your business where you are looking into making connections with social media influencers to grow your brand exposure? What is your plan? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he goes over his approach to connecting with social media influencers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Scott encourages sellers like you to approach multiple influencers to get an idea of what the average rate they charge is, he also says to check their recent posts. Take the time to do your due diligence before you give anyone a single dollar! To get more tips on how to approach influencers and how that should factor into your list building strategy, make sure to listen to this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:00] Building momentum is key to see results.
  • [12:00] Question #1: Should I start off having my product shipped by air or sea?
  • [18:00] Question #2: What is the best process for approaching Social Media influencers?
  • [24:00] Question #3: What is a good way to connect with copywriting services?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS481.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

As an ecommerce business owner, you want to do everything you can to set your brand up for success. One of the best ways to do that is by learning from the example of other successful business leaders. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott welcomes Bernie Thompson, founder of Plugable Technologies and Efficient Era. Plugable Technologies is a top worldwide brand for USB, Bluetooth, and charging devices. Efficient Era takes the software that Bernie and his team developed that helped Plugable become one of the larger private label electronics sellers on Amazon to the masses. Bernie has worked as a programmer for IBM, software manager at Microsoft and much more. He is also the author of "Flywheels and Feedback Loops: A Guide to Success for Amazon Private Label Sellers." Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from Bernie's wealth of wisdom and insight!

Sometimes it's better to go wide rather than deep!

While it may seem like an obvious decision, sometimes it’s best to take your ecommerce business in the direction of going wide rather than deep. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Bernie Thompson as he opens up about the start of his business, Plugable Technologies and why he decided to go against the advice of a friend and opt for a wide approach. As Bernie looks back at this moment in the early days of his business, he notes that it was a critical episode that had a huge impact on his business for years to come. Find out all about why Bernie opted for this route and how it can help inform decisions you may have to make down the line. Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Why brand building is so important.

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long, chances are you’ve heard Scott say how much he’s noticing Amazon move toward favoring brands. What have you done to adjust your plans and build your ecommerce business accordingly? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott welcomes Bernie Thompson to the podcast as he shares some of his thoughts on branding and Amazon’s approach. Listening to Bernie, you can tell that he clearly agrees with Scott’s assessment of where Amazon is trending with brands. Find out how you can make sure your business is on track and ready to succeed as Amazon continues down this path by listening to this episode!

The reason why launching new products on Amazon is the best route.

It’s the goal for many ecommerce businesses to eventually expand and move their business model beyond relying on Amazon to push sales. But the truth of the matter is, many successful private label businesses making upwards of eight figures are still using Amazon as their primary channel for launching and driving new products. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Bernie Thompson explains why he and his team remain convinced that Amazon is the best platform for ecommerce businesses to use in the marketplace today. Of course, Bernie has his own thoughts about expanding and using multiple sales channels, hear all about it on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

How automation can help you succeed.

If you’ve been building your ecommerce business for very long, you know that automation is a huge timesaver. When was the last time you took a look at what tools are available in the marketplace that can help you streamline and make your processes more efficient? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with Bernie Thompson to discuss the amazing tools that he and his team at Efficient Era have developed for sellers like you! Bernie and his team are working hard to help ecommerce businesses get the most out of their efforts and really reach the heights of success they’ve been aiming for. Learn more about Bernie’s story and the tools he has to offer on this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] Scott welcomes Bernie Thompson to the podcast.
  • [4:00] Bernie shares his background.
  • [7:00] Where did Bernie get the idea to start his company?
  • [12:30] How did Bernie start developing products for his new company?
  • [20:00] Why branding is so effective.
  • [25:00] How do Bernie and his team launch new products?
  • [30:30] What’s the story with Amazon tinkering with rankings for sellers because of reviews and discounts used?
  • [35:00] If Bernie was starting an ecommerce business right now, what would he do?
  • [41:00] Is it better to squeeze the most out of a successful product or launch a new one?
  • [45:00] Bernie talks about automation & the tools they’ve released through Efficient Era.
  • [55:00] A great offer from Bernie and the team at Efficient Era.
  • [56:30] Closing thoughts from Scott.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS480.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

How much do you know about freight forwarding? Are you at the point in your ecommerce businesses growth where you need all the information on that topic in one easily accessible place? Look no further! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he welcomes special Michael Gallardo to the podcast to give you all the info you need on freight forwarding. In their conversation, Michael and Scott cover when you should start using a freight forwarder, how to deal with common issues with customs, the difference between air and sea shipping costs, products that first time sellers should think twice about, and much more! You don’t to miss a minute of this informative and fascinating episode!

When should sellers consider using a freight forwarder?

When is it the right time to start using a freight forwarder? The last thing you want is to start the process too early or too late! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott welcomes Michael Gallardo to the podcast to unpack freight forwarding for the TAS audience. Michael starts off by encouraging any sellers who are using sea shipping to connect with a freight forwarder they can trust. This will help sellers eliminate a lot of the legwork they would have to do themselves and really makes the process a lot more streamlined and efficient. When it comes to air shipping, Michael says that a good rule of thumb to use is if you are shipping more than 250 kilograms (about 550 lbs.), you need to consider connecting with a freight forwarder. To hear Michael expand on this topic and more, make sure to listen to this episode!

It’s time to connect with a freight forwarder, what should you expect?

Now that the time has come where you can no longer rely on the simple shipping methods that work early on, you need to connect with a freight forwarder. What should you expect when starting that process? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and his guest Michael Gallardo go over what you need to know and have ready to provide when you connect with your chosen freight forwarder. The process may sound intense and intimidating but it doesn’t have to be! Most of the info you have to provide up-front will be kept on file and the process will get easier with time. To hear all the ins and outs of this process from Michael, make sure to listen to this episode!

How FlexPort can help sellers.

As you ecommerce business grows and you really have orders moving quickly, you are going to need to reach out to a logistics expert or organization that can help make your life easier. That is exactly what Michael Gallardo and his team at FlexPort want to do for sellers like you! On this episode, you’ll hear from Michael as he opens up about FlexPort and all the ways they can partner with you to streamline and simplify your shipping process. They work hard to equip and empower their clients with all the info they need to make the decisions that work best for their unique situations. If you are ready to take your business to the next level with a freight forwarder like FlexPort, make sure to listen to this episode!

Nothing replaces action!

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long you know that Scott loves to preach about why it’s so important to take action now, and often! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear that same message from another voice, Michael Gallardo. Michael joins Scott on this episode to give you all the info you need about freight forwarding, but he also shares pieces of his story and why the message of taking action is so vital for success. Find out why this important message of staying faithful to the process and taking action will really lead to results on this inspiring episode, you don’t want to miss it!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] Scott welcomes Michael Gallardo to the podcast.
  • [5:00] How did Michael get started with freight forwarding?
  • [9:30] When should a seller consider using a freight forwarder?
  • [14:00] Michael talks about running into difficulties with customs.
  • [18:00] The difference between air and sea shipping costs.
  • [20:00] How dealing with a freight forwarder works.
  • [32:00] Focus on the one thing you need to do next.
  • [35:00] Products that first time sellers should think twice about.
  • [38:00] Important freight forwarding info sellers need to know.
  • [44:00] Michael talks about dealing with customs.
  • [47:30] Nothing replaces action.
  • [50:00] What does FlexPort do? How can they help sellers?
  • [55:00] Closing thoughts from Scott.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS479.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What have you done lately to move the needle in your efforts to build your ecommerce businesses? How do you stay motivated when the going gets tough? For many TAS followers, it’s all about the Ask Scott Sessions. These special episodes help sellers like you find the energy and passion they need to keep their business on track. On this episode, Scott shares some of his thoughts of the week about staying focused, goes over whether you should spend your time designing a product from scratch, If affiliate review sites are a worthwhile investment, and much more! You don’t want to miss a minute of this exciting episode! Make sure to check out the link in the resources section to find out how you can Ask Scott a question!

Put your head down, focus, and take action!

What has been one critical piece of advice that has helped you on your journey to build a business? What made that advice stick so well for you? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares some thoughts that have been rumbling around in his head lately that you might find helpful. At the end of the day, you will run into challenges and difficulties as you set up your business, what you need to do is decide right now that those roadblocks won’t disrupt your focus. Scott wants to see sellers like you succeed, he encourages you to not sweat the small stuff, keep your head down, and take action! To hear more on this topic, make sure to listen to this episode!

Why you need to stop comparing yourself to others.

Did you know that one of the biggest enemies of success is getting stuck in the comparison game? It’s true! The more you look at those who are skyrocketing in their success and compare what they are doing to what you are doing, you’ll start to sink. Don't’ buy the hype that the grass is greener on the other side of the street, take care of your own grass! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives some helpful encouragement to sellers like you who might be struggling at this phase in your business development. You can make it if you can block out the noise and focus on what matters. Listen to this episode as Scott further explains why you need to stop comparing your business to others, don’t miss it!

How do you build a product from scratch?

Do you have a great idea that you know will do well in the marketplace? Are you struggling to find a supplier who can produce the product you imagine at a reasonable price? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he goes over some important steps that sellers like you can take to build a brand featuring a product built from scratch. Scott also explains that if this process is difficult, that’s a good sign, it means that your competitors will have to struggle through the same process and will likely give up. Don’t miss this episode as Scott give helpful advice that you can use today to save your time and energy and build your business effectively!

How do you find suppliers that will negotiate their prices?

Have you reached the point in your product research and development phase where you are looking for a good supplier to work with? What if that supplier won’t produce your product at a reasonable cost? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares how sellers like you can locate the right supplier and negotiate in a way that leaves both sides satisfied. Don’t get stuck using a supplier that isn’t the right fit for you! Make sure to listen to this episode to get all the tips and insights you need to succeed!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:30] Put your head down, focus, and take action!
  • [9:30] Stop comparing yourself to others.
  • [12:00] Question #1: What design software do you recommend? Is this overkill?
  • [20:00] Question #2: Is it a good idea to invest in building an affiliate site kind of like a product review site? You talked about this in the past, is it worth it?
  • [30:00] Question #3: I found a great product but I can’t source it for a good price, what should I do? How can I negotiate with suppliers?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS478.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

How can sellers like you build your brand from the ground up by finding the right markets to start in? What does a brand focus approach look like compared to the open brand approach? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he goes over his preference for the brand focus approach. This episode is perfect sellers who are just getting started or are ready to begin building their brand in a competitive and aggressive way. Learn from all of Scott’s tips and insights so you don’t miss a beat as you wrestle through your brand building process, make sure to listen to this episode!

What is the difference between an open brand and brand focus?

You might be wondering as you start to lay the groundwork for your ecommerce business, “What is the difference between an open brand and a brand focus approach?” Which is the best option to build a thriving and productive brand? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares several reasons why he prefers the brand focus approach. The primary difference between the open brand and brand focus approach is that the open brand is much broader in its offerings, think of it like a hardware store, there might be a theme but it is still very broad. To hear Scott’s five reasons why he prefers to use the brand focus approach, listen to this informative episode!

Start by locating a big market.

If you are ready to start building your ecommerce brand, you’ve got to start by identifying a market. One of the best ways to start identifying markets is to use a touch list or explore categories and markets that you are passionate about. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott explains how sellers like you can quickly identify a good market to get started with and begin to niche down that market so you don’t have such a broad approach. Make sure to check out the resources section at the end of this post for great ways to get started with your touch list and the Product Discovery Bootcamp that Scott and his team have created!

How you can leverage related products to build your brand.

We’ve all been there, you are shopping for a product on Amazon and you see that frequently bought together option. Did you know that you can use that strategy to market your brand and build a suite of products that will keep your buyers coming back for more? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he describes his strategy that sellers like you can use to get buyers to trust your brand. It all comes down to delivering quality and value to your customer, if you can serve them well by packaging product together, it’s a win, win situation! To hear more about this important subject, make sure to listen to this episode!

The brand focus approach is tried and tested, trust it!

Do you find yourself wondering if the brand focus approach is right for you? Does it seem easier and less complicated to go for the open brand model? Wait, don’t throw in the towel! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott breaks down the brand focus approach in a way that makes sense and leads to sustained success. Hear Scott share the story of two successful brands that used this method to build widely recognized brand names. Both Bulletproof Coffee and Deathwish Coffee used the brand focus approach. Don’t miss this engaging episode and a clear path you can use to get started!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] Why you should check out the 24 hour product discovery challenge.
  • [4:00] Open brand vs. brand focus.
  • [8:30] Why Scott prefers the brand focus approach.
  • [12:30] Find a big market.
  • [22:30] Go to Google and search for your market, look under the “Product” tab.
  • [36:30] Scott goes over 5 action steps you and get started with.
  • [38:30] You’ve got to get in the right mindset!
  • [41:30] Two brand examples that used the brand focus approach.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS477.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

So many TAS followers love the chance to get Scott and Chris’ take on some of the issues and challenges they are running into as they build their ecommerce business. This is your chance to learn as the guys jump into another Hot Seat session. On this episode, they cover the 10x10x1 strategy, if it’s ok to launch a product with less than ten sales a day, how product variations factor into your product listing strategy, why it’s important to keep seasonal trends in mind, and so much more! If you are ready to step up your game and take your ecommerce brand to the next level, make sure to catch this helpful episode of The Amazing Seller!

What is the 10x10x1 Strategy?

How can you put your ecommerce business and your new product listing in the best possible position to succeed? Believe it or not, it starts from the beginning with using the right product selection criteria. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris go over why the 10x10x1 strategy is a helpful starting place for sellers getting their brand up and running. The 10x10x1 strategy is finding a product that moves ten units a day for at least ten dollars. Don’t miss this episode as the guys expand on the best way to use these criteria and much more!

Why variations can save you from running out of inventory.

As you build your ecommerce business, it’s important to consider ways in which you can keep as many people as possible interested in your product. One way to do this is to add variations of your product that would appeal to your buyers. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris talk about the many benefits of and some of the drawbacks of using variations in your product listing. A helpful point that Scott makes is that if you do include variations on your product, it may end up saving you from completely running out of stock of your products prematurely. To hear more on this subject from Scott and Chris, make sure to listen to this episode!

Make sure to consider seasonal trends!

How do you ensure that you don’t run into a massive drop off in sales for your product? While there are many factors that can occur that you can’t foresee, one factor you can prepare for is seasonal trends. Don’t get fooled into thinking that just because the product you want to sell is moving ten units a day right now that it will continue that number six months from now. Do your research and make sure that you don't’ overlook seasonal trends. Listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller as Scott and Chris discuss this important topic at length.

Take a long-term and multifaceted approach to building your brand.

What is your plan for growing your ecommerce business? Are you looking to make quick cash or do you want to grow something that will end up providing you profit for years to come? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott and Chris as they open up about the lessons they’ve learned and why it’s important to take a long-term approach to building your businesses. They guys explain how sellers like you can take a product that seems like someone would only buy once and leverage it to introduce that buyer to your brand that they can keep returning to. If you want to build a sustainable business, make sure to listen to this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] What is the 10x10x1 Strategy?
  • [5:00] Is it ok to launch products that will have less than 10 sales a day?
  • [9:30] How variations can help your product listing strategy.
  • [17:30] Remember to look at seasonal trends in product sales.
  • [20:30] Broadening your net and creating a brand that keeps buyers coming back.
  • [31:30] Takeaways from this Hot Seat Session.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS476.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Welcome to an exciting episode of The Amazing Seller podcast! This episode marks the three year anniversary since Scott started podcasting. He is so excited and fired up to celebrate and mark this special occasion with followers who have been with him since the start, those who’ve just started following along, and everyone in between. On this episode, you’ll hear Scott reflect on the last three years, share how he almost didn’t start TAS, the power of pushing through your doubts, why Scott got started selling on Amazon, business partnerships, takeaways, and much more! You don’t want to miss a minute of this fun and extraordinary episode!

Push through your doubts, it’s worth it!

Did you know that The Amazing Seller podcast almost didn’t happen? It’s true! As Scott was preparing to launch this crazy new experiment teaching people who were interested in starting their own ecommerce business, the doubts started to creep in. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott reveals some aspects of his story and how TAS started that he’s never shared before. Having been burned by an unsuccessful stint hosting a fitness podcast, Scott wondered if anyone would really be interested in what he had to say about ecommerce. Thankfully, Scott’s wife provided him with the perfect advice at just the right time. To hear Scott share this story in detail, make sure to listen to this episode!

Lessons learned from positive and negative business partnerships.

What has been your experience with business partnerships? Have you been burned before or have you had a harmonious relationship that led to great results? Are you considering entering into a business partnership in the future? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares some lessons he has learned over the years with both positive and negative experiences with business partnerships. While one of his partnerships didn’t turn out as profitable as he would have liked, Scott press forward and now enjoys a great business partnership with his new brand. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn from Scott’s hard-earned wisdom! Check out this episode to hear more!

Key takeaways from three years running The Amazing Seller

How can sellers like you get an advantage over your competition? You are already headed toward a good start by following The Amazing Seller! Being part of this community and learning from Scott’s years of experience will get you one step closer and thinking smarter about how to build your ecommerce brand. On this episode, Scott shares some really important takeaways that you can use today to get your business on strong footing.

  • Don’t go after products that are selling 50 units a day. Use the 10x10x1 Strategy!
  • If the product is all over Alibaba when you searching for it, don’t do it.
  • You need more SKU’s, consider using variations.
  • Amazon is trending toward favoring brands, build yours!
  • Don’t rely on tools to do all the work for you.
  • Remember that Amazon is a sales channel. Don’t build your entire business there!

If you’d like to hear Scott expand on these tips and more, make sure to check out this informative episode! You don’t want to miss it!

The future of The Amazing Seller

After reaching an important milestone like three years of running a podcast and robust community, it’s helpful to take a step back and consider the future. Don’t panic, Scott isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives TAS followers like you a peek into what he sees as the future of the TAS community and ecommerce in general. Take this moment to celebrate with Scott and your fellow TAS folks and get excited about what's coming down the pike! Hear Scott exciting plans and other helpful insights on this can’t miss episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [0:30] The Amazing Seller’s 3 Year Anniversary!
  • [8:00] Lessons learned over the last three years.
  • [11:30] How TAS Podcast almost didn’t start.
  • [24:30] Why Scott started the podcast.
  • [29:30] Pushing through your doubts is worth it!
  • [31:30] Why did Scott get started selling on Amazon?
  • [43:00] Scott shares about a business partnership wasn’t successful.
  • [46:30] Scott’s takeaways from his 3 years running TAS.
  • [52:00] What is the future of TAS?
  • [55:30] Patterns of success.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS475.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you find it difficult to get started on your journey to build an ecommerce business? What seems to constantly hold you back? Fear of failure? Not knowing where to start? All of the above? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott welcomes a TAS follower like you, Arman, to the podcast to tell his story. Arman has struggled with many of the same hangups that you’ve faced on your journey and he’s here to give sellers like you hope! You don’t have to be an expert before you get started! Learn from Arman’s story and tap into the inspiration and motivation you need to move forward!

What is your “Why?”

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long, you know that Scott is big on helping leaders like you find your “Why.” Have you found yours yet? How do you keep it in front of you? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from special guest, Arman as he opens up about his “Why” and how it helped him get moving toward building his brand. Arman’s “Why” is helping to provide financial relief for his parents. Listening to Arman’s story, you get the sense that family is very important to him. His story is a great example for sellers like you who are trying to find that motivation to push you forward. To hear more about Arman’s story, make sure to listen to this episode!

What do you need to do next?

A huge struggle that many ecommerce leaders run into is figuring out what to do next. Have you struggled with that difficulty? What have you done to get unstuck and move forward toward your next objective? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Arman talk about why it’s critical to zero in on your next action step and work from there. Don’t let the enormity of building your business sidetrack you from taking action on the next thing you need to accomplish. Learn more about this important topic from Scott and Arman by listening to this episode, you don’t want to miss it!

Don’t underestimate the power of having the right mindset!

One of the most important aspects of getting a successful ecommerce business off the ground is having the right mindset. You can have all the right tools and step by step guides on how to start a successful brand but if you don’t take the time to get your mindset in the right place and pay attention to personal development, your success will be fleeting. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott and his guest Arman as they discuss the significance of getting into the right mindset. Arman admits that at the start of his journey, his mindset wasn’t in the right place, it was all about getting money. Now he sees the larger picture! Hear about Arman’s story and find out what you can learn from it on this engaging episode!

Thinking about the long-term is critical for success.

Where do you see your business a year from now? What about three years from now? Do you have your eye on the long-term growth and sustainability of your ecommerce business or are you only focused on the here and now? To build a growing and thriving business, you’ve got to get a vision for the long-term trajectory of your business. While it might be more satisfying to cash in on the profits and successes of your latest product, in the long run, it’ll hurt your chances for sustained growth and expansion. At the end of the day, you’ve got to take a long hard look in the mirror and decide if you want to build something that will continue to grow and generate profit or if you are only looking for that quick fix. Hear more about this important topic by listening to this episode of The Amazing Seller featuring Scott’s conversation with his guest, Arman.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [0:45] Scott shares a Facebook post from a TAS follower, Aman.
  • [5:00] Aman joins the podcast and shares his story, the cliff notes version.
  • [14:30] Aman talks about his mindset when he started out.
  • [18:30] What is the current state of Aman’s brand?
  • [23:00] How do you recover from losing momentum?
  • [28:30] Building an email list.
  • [31:00] Tips for putting together a giveaway.
  • [36:30] What do you need to do next?
  • [40:00] Don’t underestimate the power of mindset!
  • [47:00] Scott talks about running an auto PPC campaign.
  • [52:30] Why it’s important to think long term.
  • [58:00] Closing thoughts from Aman.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS474.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you ever find yourself in a lull wishing an opportunity would come by jumpstart something in your life to get you working toward your goals? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares a helpful challenge he’s put together to help sellers like you find that spark to get things moving. Use this opportunity to put away any lingering excuses and reach toward that dream of building a successful and thriving ecommerce business. If you are ready to put in the work and take the next step on your journey, make sure to listen to this episode and follow through with Scott’s challenge, you won’t regret it!

Do you want to sell a product or start a business?

What is your goal with selling on ecommerce platforms like Amazon? Do you want to make some side income and bring in a good chunk of change here and there or do you want to build a growing and thriving ecommerce brand that can bring you massive profits? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott challenges sellers like you to really take a moment to consider what your goals are and to evaluate if your approach is helping you reach your goals. This 24-hour challenge could be just what you need to take your efforts to the next level. Make sure to listen to this engaging episode!

Start your touch list!

Where do you even start to get an idea for the products that will succeed on ecommerce platforms like Amazon? Is it a good idea to just start searching online to see what sells in high volumes? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he breaks down his approach and how you can get a good grasp on a solid product list today! Scott teaches the concept of the “Touch list,” this is an exercise where you grab a pen and paper and write down all the products that you are touching or have within arms reach, right now. Once you’ve completed that exercise, you’ll have a good place to start your product research. To hear more about the touch list and additional ways to build a good list of products that will succeed, make sure to listen to this episode!

Explore and validate niche markets.

How do you find a submarket that will support and embrace the product you’ve chosen to move forward with? Do you just hope one will materialize or do you make market validation part of the discover mode? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott reveals how sellers like you can drill down and research niche markets. By taking this extra step to validate niche markets through social media sites like Facebook and YouTube, you’ll put your new product and brand in the best position to succeed. To hear more on this critical step, make sure to listen to this episode!

Get in the right mindset to succeed.

The bad news is that it is getting harder to launch an ecommerce brand, but the good news is that if you cultivate the right mindset, you’ll find success! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott takes the time to go over why he believes it’s vital for sellers like you to shift your mindset and adopt a new perspective. If you can embrace what Scott has taught through this 24-hour challenge, you’ll have all the tools you need to explore and validate products left and right. Don’t miss a minute of this informative and eye-opening episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] Do you want to sell a product or start a business?
  • [8:30] Action Step #1: Discovery Mode. 
  • [13:00] Action Step #2: Find broad markets represented in your product list.
  • [19:00] Action Step #3: Validation drill down, choose one or two markets to explore.
  • [26:00] Helpful questions to ask yourself as you build your brand.
  • [31:00] Getting into the right mindset to succeed.
  • [33:30] Do this challenge, you won’t regret it!
  • [34:30] Special TAS announcement.
  • [37:30] Scott recaps all three action steps.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS473.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What do you do to stay on track and motivated as you build your ecommerce business? Have you joined the TAS community to connect with your peers to problem solve and find encouragement? This is the place, every Friday where Scott answers your questions and helps give you that extra push as you tackle the ins and outs of starting your business. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares his thought of the week, tackles why your product listing might not be ranking as high as you’d like, what you need to do to use PPC effectively, and much more! You don’t want to miss a minute of this informative and engaging episode!

What do you do with FEAR?

What power are you letting fear have in your life? Is it holding you back or are you using it to move forward? How can you tap into the strength and energy you need to succeed as you build your ecommerce business? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares his helpful thought of the week that was inspired by a note his wife left him. In that note, Scott’s wife included a quote from Zig Ziglar that says, “Fear has two meanings, forget everything and run or face everything and rise.” How does that quote land with you? Which meaning of fear is winning in your life today? How can you make sure to stay focused on the positive and what you can do without being dragged down by the negative and what you can’t do? Learn more from Scott’s helpful perspective on this episode!

Why your product listing might not be raking high enough.

How is your business faring as you get started? Is everything running smoothly or have you encountered some hiccups along the way? What can you do when you run into challenges like seeing your product listing rank lower than you had expected? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott goes over why a product listing might be raking lower than it should. If you find yourself in a similar situation, Scott says that it is important that you take the time to go back and look at your competitors in that category and find out what keywords they are using and how your strategy stacks up. Scott goes into further detail on this scenario in this episode and encourages sellers like you to check out the resources he has put together on keywords. Those can be found in the resources section at the end of this post.

Is it a good idea to use a freight forwarder?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you have your product go straight from your supplier to Amazon? What are the pros and cons of setting up that process? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott explains some of the complicated aspects of this option and whether its really worth it in the end. Scott starts off explaining why it’s so important for sellers to get connected with an inspector or some sort of service so you know that your product meets your quality standards before it leaves the manufacturer. He then goes on to share why he’s a huge fan of using freight forwarding services, like Flex Port. To hear more about this important topic, make sure to listen to this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:30] Scott’s thought of the week.
  • [9:00] Question #1: Why is my product listing not ranking higher?
  • [17:30] Question #2: How do I use PPC effectively for all my listings and variations?
  • [24:30] Question #3: Should I use a freight forwarder or can my supplier hand it off directly to freight carrier?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS472.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

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