Rock Your Brand Podcast

Do you find the road to success in the ecommerce industry a difficult one to navigate? Are you looking for an effective and streamlined process that you can emulate and build upon? Look no further! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through simple steps you can take to build your email list, connect with customers, let your personality shine through, clean up your email list, and much more! This is an episode for business leaders who are ready to take action, is that you? Don’t miss it!

Build Your Email List

Wouldn’t you love to have an email list with 9,000 subscribers ready and at your disposal? Can you image how much that would help your marketing and product sales efforts? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives you clear steps you can take to identify a target audience and build an email list. He uses one primary strategy to accomplish this goal, he bundles a few premium products that relate to the niche market he is targeting and he runs a contest for people to submit their email addresses for a chance to win. Scott gets this contest in front of people in the form of Facebook Ads. To hear more details on how Scott built his email list, make sure to listen to this episode!  

Don’t neglect easy ways to connect with customers!

One of the best ways to connect with customers and to build your brand is to utilize tools like Facebook fan pages, Facebook groups, and blogs. If you can spend time creating content for these three channels and output them in a consistent and engaging manner, you’ll see your following increase exponentially. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through how he has been able to push content, products, and deals through each of these mediums and connect with his customers in a way that allows him to adapt his brand based on their input. To get more tips and insights from Scott, make sure to catch this episode!

Build a relationship with your followers

If you want to increase your following and create loyal fans for your brand, you’ve got to produce a story or a personality that they can connect with. Don’t fake it, either make sure you find a niche market that you enjoy or connect with an individual who will serve as the face of your brand who does connect with that niche market. Again, don’t be something that you aren’t - authenticity is important. On this episode, Scott gives some helpful advice on how to make the most of telling your story and adding that personal flare to building your brand. Make sure you listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Don’t waste your time on people who aren’t interested!

An important step in building your email list and establishing your brand is making sure you take the time to clean up your contact list and give people a way out. The last thing you want to do is to inundate people with your brand promotions who will never buy your product. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives several ways that you can use to clean up your contact list and ensure you are connecting with people who are interested in your brand. If you are ready to take your business to the next level - listen to this episode!  

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:45] Reaching customers in your identified niche market with a contest and FB Ads.
  • [7:00] Leveraging a Facebook fan page, Facebook groups, and a blog.
  • [9:30] Let your personality shine through!
  • [15:30] Scott talks about his email open rate and how to utilize an email list.
  • [25:00] Introducing a second product.
  • [27:30] Don’t forget to clean your list.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Don’t miss TAS Episode #356 - HERE
  • Get all the TAS Workshop resources - HERE
  • Get all the TAS Buildlist resources - HERE
  • Don’t miss a single TAS Live event - HERE
Direct download: TAS357.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Is it possible to get in on the success everyone is talking about in the e-commerce space today? Isn’t it reaching a breaking point and getting too crowded? No! It won’t be easy, but if you are willing to put in the work, success can still be achieved. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through a seven-part plan that will help business leaders like you compete in a saturated market like Amazon and WIN! If you’ve been wondering how to get started and position yourself for success, you don’t want to miss this episode!

Find your niche market

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success when entering the e-commerce marketplace is to find a niche market. This means drilling down to more and more specific subgroups and areas of interest. Instead of just selling fishing equipment, go deeper with equipment specifically designed for fly fishing. Or instead of just selling backpacking gear, go deeper with long distance backpacking gear. The further you go with a niche group the better ability you have to cement yourself as the expert or go to vendor for that audience. To hear Scott go further with this concept, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Connect your brand with a story

If you want to see increased sales and a loyal following for your brand, you’ve got to put a face and a story behind it. If you aren’t fascinated and deeply connected to your niche market, find someone who is and have them be the face of the brand. Don’t fake it! People can smell that from a mile away. Pursue a niche market that means something to you or partner with someone who's passionate about that area of interest, then tell the story of why you started your brand. If you can connect your brand to a person and a story, you’ll go far. Listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear Scott explain this topic further.

Be consistent with your content!

One of the best ways to LOSE a following for your brand is to produce content inconsistently. This happens to many business leaders who get fired up about putting out a blog or podcast but they don’t have a schedule and they don’t have a plan so they haphazardly produce and publish content. That is a recipe for disaster! Make sure you create a plan and stick to it BEFORE you gather an audience for your brand. Look at Scott’s example, he regularly publishes content for the TAS community on a consistent basis. If you’d like to hear Scott go into depth about consistent content creation, make sure to catch this episode!

Build an Email List

If you’ve been around the TAS community for very long you know that Scott is passionate about helping business leaders like you see the wisdom in building an email list. If you want to see success and build a brand, a great way to do that is to connect with your audience through drawings for prizes associated with your niche market. It would look like this, target Facebook Ads to a page or public Facebook group that emphasizes Fly Fishing. Have that ad entice people to click to enter their name for a special fly fishing rod or tackle box, once they click on the ad they will find themselves on your landing page where they will enter their email address to be included in the drawing for the prize. Now you have your email list of people interested in your niche market, it’s that simple. If you’d like to hear Scott explain this idea further, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [6:00] Drilling down into a niche market.
  • [9:00] Find your target audience.
  • [10:30] Who is the person behind the brand? What’s the story?
  • [15:00] Content Creation.
  • [17:00] Publishing Strategy.
  • [21:30] Create a customer journey.
  • [26:00] Be consistent with your publishing routine.
  • [30:30] Build an email list.
  • [33:30] Listen to your audience then make the ASK.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS356.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you ever find that you are in need of some encouragement? A shot in the arm to keep you going when things get difficult in life and business? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from a TAS listener just like you! Joseph talks about how he started listening to Scott and began to put these tools and concepts into action. Now he’s starting to see some success in his business and YOU can too! Also on this episode, Scott covers driving traffic to your product listing, premium over generic product quality, insert cards, and much more!

The Ripple Effect

In your pursuit of success, you’ve got to get started somewhere. What is the one step you can take today that will cause a “Ripple Effect” over time? Even the smallest step can be added to little by little to amount to great success in the long run. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott talks about the ripple effect and how he’s seen it work in his life and the lives of TAS followers just like you! As always this episode is packed full of great lessons and insights that you can’t miss!

Drive more traffic to your product listing!

Have you struggled with gaining traction attracting the volume of traffic to your Amazon product listing that you’ve been for? What steps can you take to optimize your listing and adjust your methods to increase traffic? As you know by now, increased traffic usually leads to increased revenue. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear Scott go over a few strategies you can enlist to improve your PPC efforts, optimize your listing, and get the results you need. Make sure to catch this insightful episode - you don’t want to miss it!

Go Premium or Generic with product quality?

As an e-commerce seller, you know that one of the most important things you can do in your business is to increase your profit margin. But one of the dangers of focusing so closely on a large profit margin is that it can lead you to skimp on the quality of your product. Many sellers will say that they can produce a similar product for lower cost but you have to remember that public perception is KEY. The customer is comparing your product to the quality standard of your competitors. This is a very important subject to consider when you are going through product research. If you’d like to hear more details about this topic, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Should you include “Insert Cards” with your product?

One of the best ways to stand out from the rest of the competition is to include an insert card with your shipped Amazon product. These insert cards can perform an array of beneficial services for you as the seller. They can point buyers to your website for more helpful product information, they can include details about best practices with the purchased product, they could even include discounts on the customer's next order. But the question for many Amazon sellers remains, is it OK with Amazon to include an insert card with the shipped product? On this episode of the Amazing Seller, Scott explains how this subject sits in a gray area regarding Amazon’s TOS. He also goes through some helpful options for sellers like you to consider before you take the step to include insert cards. Don't’ miss this helpful episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:00] A word of encouragement from a TAS listener like you!
  • [9:30] The “Ripple Effect”
  • [11:00] Question #1: How can I drive more traffic to my listing?
  • [21:00] Question #2: How do I address returns and buyers disappointment?
  • [28:00] Question #3: What is Amazon’s policy regarding insert cards?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Ask Scott a question - HERE
  • Check out TAS PPC resources - HERE
  • Drop Scott a Note - HERE
Direct download: TAS355.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

You are in for another special TAS edition! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear part two of a two-part series with key e-commerce entrepreneurs as they pick apart three websites, give their suggestions for improvement, their thoughts on the future of e-commerce and much more! These guys come ready to put their knowledge and experience on full display. You are going to need a pen and some paper for this episode to catch all the helpful insight that these leaders bring. Also, make sure you check out part one of this series if you missed it the first time around!

What’s the Story behind the Brand?

In the e-commerce space, it’s important to have a top quality product. But what often gets buried is the reason behind the product. What is the motivation behind the brand? If you want to build a following and create fans of your product and brand, you’ve got to leverage the power of storytelling. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and a few e-commerce experts break down how important it is to tell a compelling story about your product and why you are selling it. They go over how they’ve seen this strategy play out in the marketplace and why they are convinced it's effective. Make sure you listen to this episode!

Who is the target audience for your product?

Next, to finding your niche product, you have to have a full-orbed understanding of the demographic breakdown of your target audience. There are a couple of methods to achieve these results. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear Scott and key e-commerce leaders go over tactics they’ve used to identify their target audience, build upon that information, and how to reach new customers. If you are ready to launch a product or if you just want to know how to increase your reach - don’t miss this episode!

The Future of E-commerce

Is it too late to get started and see success in the e-commerce industry? It’s no secret that the industry is growing and evolving but does that mean that there isn’t room for new sellers like you to get in and make an impact? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from e-commerce experts and their take on the state of the industry. They sketch out what they can foresee as the future of e-commerce and how leaders like you can take advantage of the marketplace. If you are wondering if now is the right time to jump in, don’t miss the insight that these experts bring!

Don’t get overwhelmed, get started TODAY!

When you get the chance to hear from experts and guys who have made a successful run in the e-commerce industry it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t let that happen to you! Learn from what the guys share about how to optimize websites and tighten up messaging but also get out there and make mistakes! An old adage says, “To get what you’ve never had, you’ve got to do what you’ve never done.” So take as much advice and insights as you can about the e-commerce industry but don’t let the volume of information paralyze you with inaction. Get out there and make an impact!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] The guys start breaking down a website.
  • [10:20] The story behind the brand. What’s the “Why?”
  • [15:00] How do you spread the word?
  • [19:50] Finding a target audience.
  • [23:00] The guys break down a coffee website.
  • [36:00] The power of a product’s story.
  • [39:00] What is the future of ecommerce?
  • [43:30] Closing thoughts from the guys.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS354.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What would it be like to be a fly on the wall in a room with e-commerce leaders discussing the ingredients of success? You don’t have to wonder! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear part one of a two-part series with key e-commerce entrepreneurs as they discuss their journeys toward success, how to validate products, picking a strategy, lessons learned in failure, and much more! You will need a pen and some paper for this episode to catch all the helpful insight that these leaders bring. Also, make sure you keep an eye out for part two of this series, you don’t want to miss it!

Everyone Starts Somewhere

Does it feel like you’ll never reach the heights of success that leaders like Scott have reached in their e-commerce businesses? Do you think that these leaders have some special edge that you don’t? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear how several e-commerce industry leaders got their start in the marketplace and it's not as glamorous as you might think. Don’t put these guys on a pedestal, they had to work through their own failures and difficulties just like you. Learn from their story and push through adversity to find your own journey toward success!

Identifying a product to sell

How do you find the best product to sell online? What methods do you use to validate that product and make sure it will provide you with profit potential. Should you spend time checking the marketplace, researching existing products that consumers are unhappy with, or should you build a brand and start cementing yourself as the expert in that field? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from entrepreneurs and business leaders who walk through the product validation process. If you are looking for your first product or for your next one, this is the episode that you’ll want to take notes on!

Find a Strategy that works for you

There are a couple of schools of thought when launching a new product in the e-commerce space. Which strategy is the best fit for you? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from e-commerce leaders who break down their approach to selling a product online. Find out how they would market the product, build a brand, and find their audience. If you are just getting started and want to know what different approaches work in the e-commerce arena, then you don’t want to miss this episode!

Lessons learned from failed products

One of the best ways to learn about a process is to learn about what doesn’t work. What lessons can you take away from e-commerce leaders who tried and failed with launching their products? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from industry leaders who walk through a failed experiment they had with one of their products. Each story is unique and brings a different perspective that will help sellers like you understand the process better and figure out what you need to do to make your efforts a success. If you are looking for key insights that you can use in your business today, make sure you catch this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] Steve, Ian, and Scott introduce themselves.
  • [7:00] Scott talks about his start in business and ecommerce.
  • [10:00] Ian talks about his start in business and ecommerce.
  • [19:20] Steve talks about his start in business and ecommerce.
  • [21:30] How to get started selling a product in the ecommerce space.
  • [27:45] Finding an audience for your product.
  • [31:20] Lessons learned from failed products.
  • [38:30] Difficulties with product quality from China.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS353.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Are you ready to jump into this week’s “Ask Scott Session?” As usual, Scott is fired up and ready to go with some great insights for TAS followers like you! So grab a pen and paper, this episode is PACKED with great insight that you will need to see exponential growth in your business. On this episode, Scott will go over his weekly advice, budgeting for PPC campaigns, product certification, best seller rankings and much more! If you’ve got a question that you are DYING to ask Scott, make sure you check out the link in the resources section to find out how you can get your question featured on an Ask Scott Session.

3 Ways to Fail at Everything in Life

You may have seen this great piece making the rounds on the internet but Scott wants to share it with TAS followers like you! So here are the “3 Ways to Fail at Everything in Life.”

  1. Complain about EVERYTHING. Have you ever noticed yourself complaining and making excuses? Knock it off!
  2. Blame others for your problems. Don’t play the blame game. Even if it’s someone else’s fault, don’t fall into this pattern.
  3. Never be grateful. Take stock of the great things you have in life. It can make all the difference!

If you’d like to hear Scott’s perspective on these three points, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller to find out why this has him FIRED UP!

Budgeting for PPC Campaigns

When you are starting a small business, you want to squeeze the value out of every penny. How can you make sure that you aren’t overspending on things like PPC when you are getting your business off of the ground? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott breaks down how you can set an overall budget for your PPC spending so you don’t break the bank. This will be helpful for those of you who are just starting out and trying to make sure you can navigate all the in’s and out’s of selling on Amazon. Get more details on this subject from Scott on this episode!

Product Certification

One of the difficult aspects of starting your business selling on Amazon is getting your product certified. Some products will be easier than others and you might even run into products being sold on Amazon that you can’t get certified yourself. Should you proceed with selling that product even if you can’t get it certified? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott dives into the reasons why you should approach this area with caution. He also gives helpful resources that you can use to make the most informed decision you can for your business. If you are just starting the process or if you are looking to start selling a new product, this episode will be very helpful for you - don’t miss it!

BSR and Variations

When you set up a product listing on Amazon it’s always a best practice to have an option for variations selected there in the beginning for your listing. Once you have your product up and running and the sales are rolling in, you might find that some variations sell better than the main listing. Don’t worry about that! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott explains why one variation selling better than others shouldn’t concern you even if it is affecting your BSR. To hear Scott go into further detail on this topic, make sure you catch this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] 3 Ways to Fail at Everything in Life
  • [8:00] Question #1: How much should I have budgeted for PPC campaigns?
  • [13:50] Question #2: Does my product have to have certification?
  • [18:45] Question #3: A question about BSR and Variations.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • ASK Scott a question - HERE
  • Get all the TAS resources on PPC - HERE
  • Make sure to catch TAS Episode #293 - HERE
Direct download: TAS352.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Jump into another edition of the TAS Power Hour with Scott, Chris, and Dom! It’s always a great time when these three guys get together, banter, debate, and bring to light information that is helpful for sellers like you! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, the guys go over the recent change to Amazon’s email policy, a lively exchange between Chris and Dom, how to use Facebook Ads effectively, what you need to know about patents, and much more! This episode is packed full of great content. Don’t miss it!

Amazon’s Recent Email Policy Change

Are you wondering how Amazon’s recent change to their email policy for sellers will affect your business? How can you make sure that you stay within their terms of service? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott, Chris and Dom dive deep into this issue and give helpful advice on how you can adapt to these recent changes. Don’t get left behind, make sure you take the time to listen to this valuable episode and stay up to date!

Chris and Dom DEBATE!

Which sales strategy is the best; should you use tools and drill down on the data or should you focus on multiple fast selling products? Which options is the better use of your time? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Chris and Dom go head to head over this debate. They get pretty fired up (In a good way) and lay out the merits of their respective positions. Going back and forth and pushing back on each other's positions is not only entertaining, but it is really helpful dialogue for sellers like you who are trying to figure out what method would work best in your situation. Grab your pen and paper (And maybe some popcorn), this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

How to use Facebook Ads Effectively

Are you using Facebook Ads to drive traffic to your Amazon product listing? That might not be the most effective way to utilize Facebook Ads. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Chris breaks down the method he uses with Facebook Ads. He goes over how much more beneficial it is to drive customers from your Facebook Ad to a landing page to capture their email address. Then you can leverage that information to offer them discounts and you can more accurately track the effectiveness of those Ads. To learn more about how you can get the most out of your Facebook Ads and more, make sure to catch this episode!

What You Need to Know about Patents

One subject that comes up again and again in the TAS community is patents. Should you have one? How do you approach products that have one pending? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott, Chris and Dom talk about how sellers like you should approach the subject of patents. Scott has recently dealt with a product category that has a patent and he has some valuable lessons to share from that experience. If you’ve been trying to figure out this subject and how to navigate it, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] Scott, Chris & Dom jump into the TAS Power Hour!
  • [6:30] Emailing your Amazon customers.
  • [13:00] Chris talks about split testing.
  • [19:15] Best Seller Ranking Pay Per Click addressed.
  • [22:30] Chris and Dom DEBATE!
  • [33:00] Facebook Ads.
  • [36:20] What’s the deal with patents?
  • [48:00] Dom talks about getting “Ungated.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS351.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you find yourself constantly looking for the next great hack or tip to try out for your business? What makes you do that? Do you have a fear of missing out on insights that others might have? Stop stressing about finding the best hack or tip! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott encourages sellers like you to stick with the basics. He goes through seven key strategies for selling your products. He drills down into familiar areas and wants you to know that you shouldn’t be looking for the next great secret or insight before you’ve mastered the basics. So grab a pen and some paper, and take the time to write out all seven of these strategies, you don’t want to miss it!

Product and Market Research

One skill that you can always get better at is product research. Seriously. Don’t overlook this step. Go back to your product and your market and do an analysis, approach it with fresh eyes. Do the exercises that Scott teaches over and over again. Learn product research like the back of your hand. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott drills down further into this concept and the steps you can take to become an expert. This simple step could make all the difference between your success and the success of your competitor. Make sure to listen to this episode!

Focus on Sourcing

Getting a good deal and cultivating a good relationship with a supplier is extremely important. Dig deep! Don’t just rely on Alibaba or Aliexpress to find a great supplier to source your product. If you can connect and build a relationship with a supplier that you can trust - that is HUGE! So get out there and network, be a good customer for these suppliers and if you get to the point where they can’t help you with a particular product, see if they can connect you with someone who can. If you’ve built a mutual trust and great communication with said supplier you will go far. To hear Scott expand on this further, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Don’t forget to Optimize!

An important step you can take to drive traffic and build your business is to go back through all your product listings, Facebook Ads, and even your own website to double check for optimization. You want to make sure that you take full advantage of tools like "Splitly" that can help you hone in on your Amazon listings and optimize it for improved results. If you’d like to hear Scott dive deeper into this topic, don’t forget to grab a pen and some paper and listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Expand your reach with list building and more!

Do you have a solid outreach strategy? Do you know what corners of the internet that your target audience likes to spend time at? Have you directed your marketing resources in that direction? You’ve heard Scott hammer on this point many times but don’t skip it - build your lists! Do whatever you need to so you have an email list with people in your target demographic so you can run promotions and other key outreach activities through. If you haven’t built your list yet, what are you waiting for? According to Scott, this is the most powerful and overlooked step so pay attention!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [6:00] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #1 Product Research
  • [9:30] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #2 Sourcing
  • [11:30] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #3 Optimization
  • [14:30] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #4 Outreach
  • [19:15] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #5 Pay Per Click - Sponsored Ads
  • [22:30] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #6 Facebook Ads
  • [30:00] Seven Strategies for Selling Products - #7 Email Follow Up

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS350.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Celebrate and Reflect on Milestones

It’s tempting to just breeze past the little steps that you have taken on your journey toward success - DON’T! It’s very important to slow down to celebrate and reflect on the milestones you have reached along your journey. Naturally, it’s easier to celebrate victories but Scott encourages entrepreneurs like you to pause and reflect on the difficult hurdles you’ve overcome too. He has found that this simple practice of celebration and reflection has had a huge impact on his outlook on life and business. To hear Scott go further with this concept, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

When is a good time to start bundling your products?

Do you have a product that would pair really well with another product and is a perfect fit for bundling? Would it give you an advantage among your competitors? If so, you really should consider bundling your product. Instead of just having a bundled or unbundled product option, Scott encourages sellers to have three distinct SKU’s, one for the main product, one separate for the product that you want to add to the bundle, and then a distinct SKU for the two products bundled together. If you’d like to hear Scott explain this process in more detail, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

The process of getting ungated

Are you trying to get into a gated category on Amazon? Have you been thinking about approaching this process in the near future? Then this episode is the one for you! Scott breaks down several different approaches to getting ungated and how you should handle this process. It can be complicated but if you have a product that you know will perform well, then go for it! Get everything you need to know about the process and other resources that will help you along the way on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Should you worry about US politics and how it could affect your business?

It can be difficult to stay enthusiastic about the future and building your business when something like politics rears its ugly head. Many in the TAS community are a little concerned about US and China relations and how that will affect their business. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives his take on the situation and how he encourages sellers like you to prepare for the future. If this has been on your mind lately, make sure to take the time and check out what Scott has to say - you don’t want to miss it!

Don’t let CHANGE stop you from TAKING ACTION!

Along with the changing political climate, many TAS followers have concerns about changes with Amazon, Facebook Ads, Google and more. How can you prepare for these changes? What steps can you take to ensure that you don’t get left behind? All these questions are valid but Scott encourages sellers like you to take a longer approach. The truth of the matter is, change is constant. Don’t let the many variables and confusing changes paralyze you from TAKING ACTION! Stay informed, gather the best information available to you but at the end of the day, you are responsible for your own success.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:45] Celebrate and reflect on your Milestones!
  • [3:00] TAS follower shoutout.
  • [6:30] An update on TAS events.
  • [8:30] Question #1: A question about bundling products.
  • [17:00] Question #2: What is the process for getting ungated?
  • [22:00] Question #3: With the current political climate, should we be concerned about sourcing our products from China?
  • [30:00] Don’t let change paralyze you from taking action!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Stay up to date with the TAS FB Group - HERE
  • Check out the TAS Live info - HERE
  • Make sure to check out TAS Episode #189 - HERE
  • Make sure to check out TAS Episode #212 - HERE
  • Alibaba
Direct download: TAS349.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

How can you make significant steps toward building your brand and launching your Amazon product? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott reviews a recent coaching call he had with a TAS follower like you! Scott breaks down how the caller is currently fairing with his Amazon products, how he can improve, why he should build and email list, how he can leverage Facebook Ads and much more! If you’ve been trying to figure out your next step in growing your business, this is the episode for you! Grab a pen and paper, you don’t want to it!

Why you need to build an email list

Would you like to build your brand? Would you like to see your product sales take off? Then make sure you direct your energy toward building an email list! If you want to drive sales, increase traffic to your listing, and introduce new products the best resource available to you is a curated email list. If you can build a list that includes a majority of individuals who fit your target demographic then you have what you need to accomplish key goals toward growing your sales. If you’d like to hear more about how you can build an email list today, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Leverage Facebook Ads!

One of the best ways to grow your business is to expand your customer base. You can do this through email lists but you can also leverage Facebook Ads. Start by locating a target group on Facebook that aligns with your product's theme and category, then begin a marketing campaign directed at that group through Facebook Ads. Alternatively, once you’ve started an email list, you can feed that contact info into Facebook and market your product or offer to similar demographics via Facebook Ads. If you’d like to hear more about how you can leverage Facebook Ads to grow your business, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

What is your ONE THING?

As an entrepreneur, the multitude of conferences, books, and courses available to you can be overwhelming. In fact, many business leaders are paralyzed with inaction because of so many options! How can you cut through the noise and make the changes you need to succeed? You’ve got to focus like a laser beam on that ONE THING. Do whatever it takes to silence the other voices and advice you have at your fingertips and just focus on one thing. Focus on it for the next 60 to 90 days and see what happens! To get more great tips and insights like this one, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:40] Diversify your income sources.
  • [16:20] Why you need to build an email list!
  • [23:30] How you can leverage Facebook Ads.
  • [26:00] Boost your sales ranking and drive external sales!
  • [29:15] What is the ONE THING you need to do today?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Make sure to check out episode #333 with Jamie Masters - HERE
  • Don’t miss a single TAS event - HERE
  • Find out how you can get started building your email list - HERE
Direct download: TAS348.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

It’s time for another Hot Seat session! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris review a product listing submitted by a TAS follower like you! These guys don’t hold back, they go over every aspect they can think of to give this listing a proper run down. If you are looking for tools to critically examine your product listing to optimize it to the best of your ability then this is the episode for you! Scott and Chris also go over why quality images are so important, the difference between keywords and search terms and so much more! Grab a pen and some paper, this is an episode you can’t miss!

Don’t be generic, be specific!

When you start selling online you might feel drawn to be as generic as possible with your product listing in order to get as many viewers to your page. Don’t do that! Be as specific as possible in your title and in your product descriptions. You want people to know why your product is the best for a specific use. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris break down how important it is to focus your efforts on the specific rather than the generic. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Don’t skimp on quality images

When you are building a small business, every penny counts. You might be tempted to use cheaper images of your product for your listing. As tight as finances might be, don’t follow the temptation to skimp on quality images! If you’ve been a TAS follower for very long you know this is one of the topics that Scott is passionate about. He mentions this time and time again because this is really your best method of having your customers “Touch” your product. You want what they see to wow them and the best way to do that is to spend the money on high-quality images. If you aren’t convinced yet, make sure to catch this episode and Scott’s explanation of how important this step is!

Know the difference between Keywords and Search Terms

Do you know the difference between keywords and search terms? When you are dealing with PPC, you want to make sure that you are optimizing for search terms NOT keywords. The search term is what an actual Amazon customer is typing into the search bar. Think of keywords as seeds you give to Amazon so they know what words to associate your product listing with. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris break down more differences between these two phrases and how you can navigate them to get the results you are looking for - don’t miss it!

Approach your Listing with a critical eye

It can be tough to approach something critically after you’ve poured large amounts of your time and effort into it. But that approach is exactly what you need to succeed when you review your Amazon product listings. You can’t let it become your baby. You’ve got to be able to look at it in a similar way that you look at your competitor's listings. This will be difficult for many of you to do but it will really benefit you in the long run. Catch this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear Scott and Chris talk about how important this step is in maximizing your success!

 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] Scott and Chris take a look at TAS followers listing.
  • [7:00] Chris addresses the title of the listing.
  • [11:30] The benefit of using a tool like Scope.
  • [13:30] Don’t be generic. Be specific!
  • [15:15] Scott addresses issues with the product images on the listing.
  • [19:00] How to drill down on your targeting.
  • [24:40] Keywords vs. Search terms.
  • [33:00] Don’t get attached to your own listing!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Scope
  • Make sure to check out upcoming TAS events - HERE
  • Get all the TAS info on PPC - HERE
  • Make sure to join the TAS Facebook community - HERE
Direct download: TAS347.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Are you fired up and ready to go for the weekend? No? Then make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller and another installment of Ask Scott. On this episode, you’ll get important updates on TAS events and projects, Scott’s weekly message, and of course answers to questions from listeners like you! As always you’ll get the best insights and links to resources you need to see success and results in your business. Make sure you take the time to listen and even grab a friend who needs to hear about this great business opportunity!

Movement + Patience = Results

Everyone wants to see exponential growth and RESULTS. But seeing the results you’ve been dreaming about can be a long journey. You will need to learn some vital truths to get you where you want to be with your business. One of the most important lessons you can learn is to exercise lots of patience. This is especially vital when you are trying to build a business selling on Amazon. If you’d like to hear Scott go deeper with this truth, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Is it the right time to start Split Testing?

If you’ve seen your product listing gain steady and sizable traffic and you are ready to start branching out with options like listing different variations it might be time to start split testing. What does that process look like? What results should you expect to see? There are so many tools and processes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through this process and how you get the most out of it. Make sure you grab pen and paper, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Gaining access to a gated product category

Getting into gated categories on Amazon can be a very frustrating process. Have you done your research? Are you certain that the product you want to be listed in that category is going to bring you enough value to make the effort worth it? If so, there are a few options you have at your disposal to gain access to a gated category. Don’t give up hope! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott goes over his suggestions on how you can get access to a gated category. Don’t miss it!

Enhanced Brand Content

What benefits can using enhanced brand content on your product listing bring you? This is a complicated issue because it's going to be different for each seller. The best way to figure out the effectiveness of this method is to do a test on your product listing. Because there are multiple factors in place, giving it a good test is the best approach. If you decide to do down this route, make sure you record your data before and after the test to note any changes to your conversion rate or additional numbers. If you’d like to hear Scott go into more detail about this topic, make sure to catch this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:30] Some great TAS updates to be excited about.
  • [8:00] Scott’s message of the week. Movement + Patience = Results!
  • [9:30] Question #1: Regarding split testing, what volume would you look for before you'd consider running a split test?
  • [16:50] Question #2: What are your suggestions for getting into a gated product category?
  • [23:25] Question #3: A question about enhanced brand content.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Ask Scott a question - HERE
  • Get all the latest info on live meetups - HERE
  • Check out TAS ep. 312 - HERE
  • Check out TAS ep. 212 - HERE
  • Check out TAS ep. 294 - HERE
  • 1kfasttrack.com
  • Check out a great tool called Splity - HERE
  • Connect with the TAS Facebook community - HERE
Direct download: TAS346.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

How would you like to receive income from a product that you don’t have to continually market, ship, or promote? Does it sound too good to be true? It’s not! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from licensing and patent expert Stephen Key. Stephen explains how he got his start with licensing products, how you can get started, tips to save you money in the process, how to connect with potential partners, and how royalties work. This is a unique episode that will give you great insight into a profitable income avenue for sellers like you!

Steps to start licensing your product!

Learn from one of the best in the industry as Stephen Key takes Scott step by step through the process of licensing a product. The first step starts with analyzing the marketplace. Find your niche, find the problem you can bring a solution to or your improvement of an existing product. The next step is to have a professional create a 3D rendering of this product. You don’t have to actually create the product yet! Then create a sell sheet, this is what you will use to shop your idea around to potential partners. Lastly, you need to file a provisional patent application that gives you perceived ownership. Stephen masterfully goes through each of these steps in detail that could help you toward great success. Don’t miss this eye-opening episode of The Amazing Seller!

Don’t waste your money!

If you have an idea for a product improvement that you think will take off, don’t get ahead of yourself and spend too much money. There are steps you can take to elicit interest and even funds from potential partners that will get the product produced. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Stephen Key walks through the process of taking a product idea to market. You don’t want to miss his valuable insights that could save you money and help you strike a deal that will bring you royalties for years!

How to connect with potential partners

If you’ve decided that licensing your product is your next step in building your business, you’ve got to find partners. How do you find someone willing to buy the licensing rights from you? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Stephen Key gives some helpful advice and examples that will set you up for success. One exercise Stephen suggests is going down to your local big box retailer and find the place on the shelf where your product would go. Once there, look at the companies that are in that space, those are the business you want to try and partner with. You already know they are in a high-value space and if you approach them with an improved product, it’s a win, win scenario! To hear more insights from Stephen, make sure to catch this episode!

How do Royalty rates work?

Are you interested in licensing your product and want to know what to expect with royalty rates? You’ll learn a lot about royalty rates on this episode of The Amazing Seller! Scott’s guest, Stephen Key has all the information you need to start your journey toward licensing your product and getting a good deal on royalties. Stephen does a great job explaining what you should expect as you get started in this business arena. If this subject has piqued your interest, you don’t want to miss this informative interview!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:22] Stephen Key joins the podcast.
  • [7:00] How Stephen got involved with licensing.
  • [9:00] How you can get involved in licensing.
  • [20:00] Stephen walks through the process.
  • [29:00] How to connect with partners to license your product with.
  • [34:00] How royalties work.
  • [38:30] How to connect with Stephen.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS345.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

You know Scott only brings the best guests on The Amazing Seller that give you value and insights into selling on Amazon and building your business. On this episode, Scott’s done it again with guest Greg Mercer. Greg knows the industry intimately and wants to help entrepreneurs like you get the most out of your efforts to make a profit. He’s created a great application called “Fetcher” that will help you navigate the processes and systems involved with selling on Amazon. This is a helpful and information packed episode that you don’t want to miss!

Underestimating fees and expenses selling with Amazon

With some of the recent changes at Amazon regarding their storage fees, it’s good to get a helpful perspective from industry leaders like Greg Mercer. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Greg go over some tips to make sure you don’t overpay for storage fees, product returns, and more! This is a great chance to understand some of the more complex aspects of selling on Amazon. Make sure you grab pen and paper when you listen to this episode!

Are you leaving money on the table?

As a business owner, you want to make sure every dollar counts. You try to find every possibility you can think of getting the most value out of products you sell and systems you use. Greg Mercer joins Scott on this episode of The Amazing Seller to help you make sure you aren’t leaving money on the table with your Amazon business. Greg and Scott’s insights will help you understand the processes and in’s and out’s of Amazon's Seller platform. If you want to know how to make the most of your efforts, make sure to listen to this episode!

Check out Fetcher - no RISK!

Do all the software and tools available get your head spinning sometimes? There are so many options out there it can be hard to pick just one. To cut through the complexity, Scott’s invited Greg Mercer on the show to describe the benefits of his application, “Fetcher.” Greg has such confidence in the value and benefits Fetcher will give you as an Amazon seller that he’s giving away a FREE 30-day trial. Don’t worry about giving your credit card info. Just check out this great application and hear about all the benefits on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Is it too late to get into selling on Amazon?

Are you wondering if it’s too late to get started selling on Amazon? You aren’t alone! Scott and Greg get this question a lot. Don’t be discouraged, it’s not too late. You can jump on board and find success and independence. Make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller as Scott and Greg give an update on the state of the marketplace and how you can get involved with helpful tools and insights. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:30] Greg Mercer joins the show.
  • [5:45] A checklist to catch mistakes you might be missing.
  • [14:22] Underestimating fees and expenses.
  • [23:30] PPC spending.
  • [27:00] Figuring out FBA fees.
  • [31:00] The advantages that Fetcher can give you and how it works.
  • [41:30] Answers to common questions that Greg gets about Fetcher.
  • [45:30] Greg talks about a great Fetcher deal for TAS listeners.
  • [49:30] Some parting advice and insight from Greg.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS344.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you know your “WHY?” What drives you and keeps you going when business gets difficult? Have you taken the steps you need to keep that in front of you - like writing it out or printing an image of it and putting it next to your computer? You need to have this figured out so WHEN difficulty arises, you won’t be down for the count! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott drives this point home and tackles questions from listeners like you. This is an informative episode that you've got to catch!

1K Fast Track Update

If you’ve been a part of the TAS tribe for very long, you’ve probably heard Scott talk about the 1K Fast Track. This group is great for followers who haven’t jumped in and started their business yet. If are looking for a supportive and encouraging environment that will push you to reach the goals you set, this is the group for you! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives an update on the current group's progress and how you can sign up for the next one. You don’t want to miss it!

Can you use Social Media to promote your brand?

Maybe you’ve just started building your brand or you’ve been doing it for a while and you are ready to expand. Either way, you need to give serious thought to your social media engagement strategy. You cannot ignore this valuable tool to promote your brand and drive business! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through some helpful tips and how you can use this platform wisely. Make sure you have pen and paper ready for this episode!

Do you need a patent for your Amazon Product?

What steps do you need to take to protect your product from getting hijacked? This is a question that Scott gets regularly. You have a few options you can pursue. If you want to invest in a patent for each and every product you sell, that can get costly. You can also take Scott’s advice, which is to go into selling that product with the understanding that someone might try to hijack it. That’s a risk you have to be willing to take. Scott has more thoughts on this topic that you don’t want to miss!

Understanding Amazon’s BSR

Are you in the research phase and having a hard time understanding how to pick a product or category that will work for you? Does all the jargon have your head spinning? You’ve come to the right place! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott breaks down BSR (Best Seller Ranking) and how you can navigate that ranking and use it to your advantage. If you are just starting out or if you've been at this for a while, you will find something to take away from this episode. Don’t miss it!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:00] WHY are you in this business?
  • [8:20] Scott gives a 1K Fast Track update.
  • [10:30] Question #1: Have you used Social Media as a major sales funnel for a product?
  • [23:10] Question #2: Once I’ve made modifications to a product, do I need to get a patent?
  • [28:50] Question #3: What is the deal with BSR? How do I navigate this?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Ask Scott a question - HERE
  • Send Scott a note in the mail - HERE
    • The Amazing Seller P.O. Box 995 Fruitland Park, FL 34731
  • Make sure to check out TAS episode 339 - HERE
  • Make sure to check out TAS episode 312 - HERE
  • Make sure to check out TAS episode 189 - HERE
  • Catch Scott’s case study - HERE
  • For info on patents and trademarks click - HERE
  • Check out the latest TAS resources - HERE
  • 1kfasttrack.com
  • JungleScout
Direct download: TAS343.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What does it take to build a successful career? What lessons and habits do you need to learn to grow your business? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from successful business leader, Noah Kagan. Noah and Scott discuss, work-life balance, taking action today, the “4 P’s,” and much more. Noah is a gracious guest who generously shares his experience as well as case studies with the TAS audience. If you want to know what it takes to find the success you are looking for, make sure to listen to this episode with pen and paper ready!

Work Life Balance

Can you really have it all? Can you have a successful business AND a healthy personal life? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott’s guest Noah Kagan turns the table a bit and asks Scott how he finds time for both. Scott goes on to explain the boundaries he has set up to make sure he is there for his family even if it isn't’ the most advantageous decision for his business. If you have ever struggled with sticking to a disciplined schedule and balancing both your work and personal life, then this episode is for YOU!

Start TODAY!

Inaction is the enemy of success. Too often prospective entrepreneurs never get off of the ground because they are afraid of failure. Don’t wait, start today! If you have to flex your failure muscle a few times, don’t let that get you down, you are in good company. Failure means you tried for success, get back up and try again. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear Noah Kagan’s story. He shares his journey of ups and downs on the road to success. Noah has great insight to share, you don't’ want to miss it!

The 4 P’s

It’s always good to have a set of principles or guide rails that help you stay focused on your pursuit of success. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Noah Kagan shares the “4 P’s” that will help you evaluate what’s important.

  1. Purpose. What is your purpose in life and business? What gets you up in the morning?
  2. Product. Do you have a product you LOVE? Do you believe in it?
  3. Pay. Do you have idea of what your time is worth? Are you compensated accordingly?
  4. People. Do you enjoy the people who work with or for you?

To hear Noah and Scott expand on the “4 P’s” and much more, make sure to catch this episode!

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel!

There is a huge temptation in business to come up with the next great idea or product. If you can do that, great! But most leaders need to hear this one piece of advice from Noah Kagan, go with what works. It’s that simple, don’t try to reinvent the wheel! Look at what has worked in your business and figure out what you need to do to build off of and expand it. Don’t overcomplicate it if you don’t have to. To hear Noah expand on this idea and more, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:00] Noah Kagan joins the podcast.
  • [6:45] Noah’s story.
  • [15:20] Bringing on a business partner.
  • [27:00] Work Life Balance
  • [33:00] Noah’s 4 P’s.
  • [42:00] Start TODAY!
  • [45:50] Noah talks about his 24-hour challenge.
  • [51:30] How do you sell a product without the product?
  • [1:01:30] Noah talks about his gum experiment.
  • [1:03:30] Sales and Marketing tips.
  • [1:11:15] Parting advice from Noah.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS342.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Scott often has so many high performing and hugely successful guest on the podcast that provide great business insight. But from time to time, he also takes the time to share his platform with listeners just like YOU. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott has Megan Lofton on the show. Scott and Megan discuss her journey discovering FBA, researching and selling her first product, overcoming obstacles, and her plans for the future. If you are just getting started on the journey or if you’ve been at it for a while know, this episode delivers the insights you need to find success, don’t miss it!

Discovering Amazon FBA

Are you looking for a way to change your lifestyle? Do you want to spend more time with your kids, get out of debt, or travel? Getting started with selling on Amazon with FBA is a great way to accomplish your goals! Driven businesswoman Megan Lofton joins Scott on this episode of The Amazing Seller to discuss her journey as a first time FBA seller. Megan got interested in selling on Amazon over a year ago. She has launched her first product and is getting ready to launch a second one. If you want an inside look at what it takes to get started with FBA, you have to listen to this episode.

Email Lists can be a Game Changer!

Are you ready to start expanding your product’s reach? Maybe you are preparing for your second or third product launch. Have you started planning your approach utilizing an email list? If you haven’t, why not? This is a great way to connect with your customer base, refine your approach, and build raving fans of your brand. If you have decided that an email list isn’t for you or you aren’t there yet, give this episode of The Amazing Seller a listen! Scott will change your mind. He has found that using an email list can jump start your products in HUGE ways. Find out more about this topic on this episode!

You might be one missing piece away from success!

Do you ever feel like you are right there, on the verge of a breakthrough in business but you can’t put your finger on what it would take to get you there? What if you had someone in your corner who could come and give you helpful insight to see the success you are striving for? That is exactly why Scott started the TAS community. He wants to help business leaders like you get that extra push to get to the top. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with a TAS listener like you, Megan Lofton. Scott gives Megan some helpful insights as they discuss her first FBA product.

Learn through the process

Starting something new can be really hard. You might find that you second guess yourself and wonder if you have what it takes to see it through to completion. You are not alone! Getting started with an Amazon FBA business can be tough, but you need to remember that you will learn through the process. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from Megan Lofton who just getting her Amazon FBA business off the ground. Her story serves as a great example of someone who is learning through the process, the highs and the lows. You don’t want to miss out on this great episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:20] Megan Lofton joins the podcast.
  • [6:20] Megan talks about how she got started with FBA.
  • [11:20] An experience with sending a wire transfer.
  • [12:40] How did Megan find her first product?
  • [21:00] Has Megan started working on an email list?
  • [22:30] What is Megan’s next step?
  • [28:30] Scott talks about what Megan needs to do to get her product to take off.
  • [36:30] Megan talks about launching a second product.
  • [42:20] Learn through the process!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS341.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Have you figured out your “Why” yet? What drives and motivates you to reach for success in your business? You’ve got to find out what that is so you can tap into it when times get difficult. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives a personal update and a peek into his “Why.” When you hear Scott describe his life and the joy he gets from the freedom he has, you will understand why it’s so important to lock into what motivates you. Make sure to catch this great episode!

Make sure to share your success!

Have you ever done something really difficult that required a lot of determination and effort? During that difficulty, did you have anyone to encourage you or help you push through it? If you have experienced that before, you know it can make all the difference in the world. That is one of the huge benefits of the TAS Facebook group. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives a shout out to one of the TAS Facebook group members who shared his progress. If you aren’t part of this group yet, get on it! You will find encouragement, help, and camaraderie. It’s also a great place to share your success and get fired up! Learn more about this great resource on this episode.

Quality goes a long way

You’ve heard the saying, quality over quantity right? It’s an important lesson to heed when you are putting together your packaging for your product. Remember, anyone can turn out mass produced, low-quality products, but there aren't’ many sellers who take the time to add the little things that go a long way. It doesn’t take a lot to impress your buyers. Start small. Put some effort into quality packaging, a thank you note, a discount code on their next order, a product guide, and even high-quality pictures of the product in the posting. Any one of these options will elevate your product. Take the time and consider how you can take your product to the next level. Hear Scott expand on this concept and more on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Getting started with FBA

Remember when you were a kid and you were nervous about jumping into a pool without checking the temperature first? Do you ever feel that way when it comes to business decisions? Maybe you are wondering, like one of the listeners on this Ask Scott Session, what is the best way to get started with FBA? Scott gives some great advice and a couple of avenues to go down when you are just getting started in this pursuit. Make sure you take the time to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller to catch all of the insight Scott shares on this subject!

Get involved with other Amazon sellers

If you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while, you know how great it is to get with other sellers and trade tips and tricks. Joining the TAS Facebook group is a great way to get started with interacting with other sellers so you don’t feel like you are out there all alone. Another great option is joining or starting a local meetup with fellow Amazon sellers in your area. One TAS listener asked Scott what he thought about this idea. Scott is a HUGE fan of it and provided some excellent suggestions on how to get started on this 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!
  • [0:40] Scott gives an update about his personal life.
  • [2:30] Figure out your “Why”
  • [7:40] Shoutout to a TAS Facebook follower!
  • [9:10] Where do I start to begin putting together an info booklet or some sort of material to include with my packaged product?
  • [20:30] What is the best way to get started with FBA?
  • [27:35] How do you lay the foundation for a local gathering of Private Label sellers?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS340.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

You are in for a rare special episode of The Amazing Seller! On this episode, Scott sits down with TAS follower and fellow podcaster, Gordon Light from “Fit Successful Dad.” Gordon, an avid fan of Scott’s left a message for him on the “Ask Scott” line and the two connected. With a flip of the script, Gordon interviews Scott about life as an entrepreneur, parent, business leader, and more! If you’ve ever wanted to climb inside of Scott’s head for an hour, this is your chance! Don’t miss Gordon’s excellent interview with Scott on this episode!

Making time work for you

How do you structure your work week? Has it been an effective use of your time? Scott always seems to be fired up and running on all cylinders. Part of his success is due to the fact that he has a very well thought out schedule. He has standing appointments for key business meetings, time planned to be with family, and time scheduled to work on passion projects like TAS. If you’d like to hear more about how Scott organizes his time and makes it work as a devoted husband and father, don’t miss this episode of The Amazing Seller.

How it all started

Some of the best ideas start off in the smallest ways. Scott found himself looking for ways to supplement his photography business when he started dipping his toe into online sales. Before he knew it, his business selling items online took off. There were many ups and downs along the way but Scott’s story goes to show that sometimes it takes just a little push to get things moving. What’s holding you back? What steps do you need to take to put you on the path toward success? Check out more of Scott’s inspiring story on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Imparting values to your children

How did you learn from your parents? Did they sit down and impart wisdom to you or was it more from observation? What is YOUR plan to pass on your values to your children? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott talks about his personal life, more specifically his parenting. He describes how his life as an entrepreneur has impacted his children and influenced the way they see the world. You can tell that Scott is super proud of his kids and he loves to share how they are taking the values that he has imparted to them and building off of it. If you’d like to hear more about how Scott teaches his kids about his values, you’ve got to check out this episode.

What is your “WHY?”

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone came along and waved a magic wand and granted your wildest dreams? But would that “Dream come true” be satisfying? Isn’t half the satisfaction in looking back at what you did to make the dream a possibility? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares the advice he would give to parents who are considering becoming entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the need to understand your “Why.” Figure out what that dream is, write it out, print out images of it, and make it your goal. Be as specific as you possibly can so you know when times get hard, and you want to quit, you have something to look to and remember the reason behind what you are doing. To hear Scott expand on this concept further, 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!
  • [2:20] Gordon’s Ask Scott Question.
  • [7:50] Gordon Light joins the podcast.
  • [16:00] What has Scott pumped up right now?
  • [23:30] What is Scott doing to generate revenue today?
  • [32:50] Scott talks about how he connected with his latest business partner.
  • [34:10] What does a typical work day/week look like for Scott?
  • [40:15] How did Scott build his first FBA brand?
  • [46:40] How has parenting influenced Scott’s business decisions?
  • [51:00] Scott talks about his journey pursuing supplemental income.
  • [57:30] How has the entrepreneurial lifestyle impacted Scott’s children?
  • [1:05:30] What was the decision like for Scott to leave his construction job and work for himself?
  • [1:09:00] What would Scott say to parents who want to become entrepreneurs?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS339.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What are the latest developments with the TAS crew? What new changes should you be prepared for? What can you do to get the most out of your business? It’s time for another session of the TAS Power Hour! Scott, Dom, and Chris are ready to deliver some great and exciting updates and tackle some important and relevant news. In their long-ranging conversation, they cover an Open Brand update, product positioning, keywords, product images, email list building, and so much more! You don’t want to miss this informative and helpful episode.

Make sure your product is in the right category

When you begin putting together your Amazon product listing, make sure to pay attention to the details. Even things like making sure your product are in the right category can be crucial to your success. The last thing you want is to get into the wrong category, start to rank really well, and then have Amazon come along and move you to your correct category and have you start from square one all over again. It may end up being a slow and frustrating process starting out but take the time and make sure your product is in the right category from the start to avoid a bad situation down the line. To hear Scott, Dom, and Chris discuss this further, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Don’t underestimate the power of a product’s image!

Getting started with selling on Amazon can be overwhelming. There are a lot of moving pieces and details that you need to pay close attention to in order to get your business started on a solid foundation. Because of all the complexities, you might be tempted to skimp on the image quality for your product listing. A word of caution - don’t skimp! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott explains how important good quality images are to a successful Amazon listing. If you are tempted to take the shortcut, make sure you listen to this episode before you do!

Build an Email List

What would it take for you to start a marketing email list? Do you need to hear the benefits? What about a successful example that will net you a great start to building a list? You’ve got to hear Scott, Dom, and Chris talk about how easy it is to get started with building a list. This is the vital next step you need to take to expand your business. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, they discuss their recent project of creating a Kindle book that they gave away and how that greatly improved and expanded their email list. It’s a great example of what you can do by learning these easy marketing strategies. If you’d like to hear more about building an email list make sure to check out this episode!

1K Fast Track

Have you been debating about launching an Amazon Private Label business? Are you still kicking the tires and trying to decide if this is for you? Just jump in! The best way to start is by getting involved with the 1K Fast Track. This is a group designed for people just like you. You will learn with others who are trying to get their start and who likely have the same type of questions and concerns that you do. Don’t wait any longer. Take the next step and get your name on the list for the next 1K Fast Track group. You won’t regret it! If you’d like to hear Scott, Dom, and Chris explain more of the benefits of this group, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:00] Dom and Chris join Scott for a TAS Power Hour.
  • [6:10] Dom gives an update on the open brand.
  • [14:00] What was the process like once everything went live?
  • [25:20] Dom and Chris talk about supplier issues in China.
  • [28:40] Amazon keywords, indexing and de-indexing.
  • [36:00] The necessity of having quality images.
  • [41:30] Is it worth it to up your price to qualify for Amazon Prime shipping?
  • [52:30] Scott talks about the Kindle book experiment.
  • [56:40] How much inventory would you ship in for FBA?
  • [58:00] 1K Fast Track update.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS338.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

How has your week been? Have you accomplished the goals you set for yourself? Or are you bogged down with problems in your business? Sit back and tune into this episode of The Amazing Seller. Whether everything is going great or you have experienced setbacks, this episode is for you. Scott talks about some key wisdom that has helped him focus throughout his week and accomplish his long term goals. He also tackles questions from TAS followers like YOU. As usual, Scott brings his fire and passion - you don’t want to miss it!

Stay the Course

Do you have difficulty focusing on tasks for the long term? Are you often sidetracked by distractions less important that fill up your time? You aren’t alone! Many people struggle to focus and finish the things they set out to accomplish. One key lesson that Scott has learned and implemented in his life is this simple yet profound truth, “Stay the course.” Try it! Focus on one objective or plan and give it everything you’ve got for at least 90 days. Scott suggests taking it further and committing to 6 months, but find what works for you. Learn more on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Separate UPCs for each variation

All the talk about UPC codes and SKUs can be very confusing. Do you need a unique one for each variation on your product listing? The simple answer is yes. You need to make sure that each different option that you provide both in size and color options need to have their own unique UPCs. If you’d like to hear more about this topic and Scott’s breakdown make sure to take the time, sit down with pen and paper and listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller. To go further with this topic and others presented on this episode, you can check out the resources section at the end of this post.

How YOU can get reviews for your Amazon product

Now that Amazon has rolled out its new “Terms of Service” many people are left wondering how to get reviews for their Amazon product listing. Scott shares his view that reviews are not the be all end all. He wants listeners like you to focus on getting sales, not reviews. Scott suggests that you follow up with the individuals who buy your product and offer them great deals. Wow, them, give them discounts and really treat them special. Then ask them to head over to Amazon and let them know how you feel. That's it. No guarantees, no promises, no gimmicks. If you follow Scott’s advice, you will see the positive results. If you’d like to hear Scott expand on this strategy and more, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Is retail arbitrage dead?

With a lot of the changes going on with Amazon, it can feel like opportunities for sellers are diminishing. But is that feeling true? Are there still opportunities out there for endeavors like retail arbitrage? Don’t pronounce it dead just yet! Scott is convinced that there are still many opportunities for profit and growth while selling on Amazon. Don’t miss this episode of The Amazing Seller to get Scott’s opinion on the status of the marketplace and how you can still succeed in starting and building a business online.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:40] Stay the course.
  • [9:00] Question #1: Do I have to have just one UPC that represents the entire product or do I have to have a unique one for each variation?
  • [14:40] Question #2: How do I get reviews for my product now that the Amazon terms of service has changed?
  • [23:30] Question #3: Is retail arbitrage dead?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS337.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Jargon and a multitude of terms can be confusing. You might feel like you are just barely treading water with all the information that come at you in the world of Amazon selling. Sometimes it can be really helpful to just pause and take a moment to solidify which terms mean what and how they build upon each other. Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been selling for a while, this episode is for you. Scott and Chris breakdown PPC Sponsored Ads, keywords, when to pull search terms, and so much more! Their helpful discussion will bring you clarity and maybe even correct some previous misconceptions. Don’t miss this informative episode of The Amazing Seller!

What is a “Keyword?”

To understand how a lot of the moving parts work regarding PPC and sponsored Ads, you need to understand some specific terminology. One vital term to understand is “Keyword.” A keyword in terms of Amazon Ads is something that you insert and then Amazon takes that as a base keyword and attaches it to search results for other related items. The “Search term” is what the Amazon customer is actually typing in the search bar. Scott and Chris take the time to slowly unpack and explain the ins and outs of these terms. Make sure to take the time and listen to their helpful training on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

How do you find the most relevant keywords?

As you are building your listing and setting up your PPC campaign, you need to find the most relevant keywords to focus on. How do you find the most relevant keywords to use? The most obvious way is to go to your competitors. Look at their title, bullets, and their description. Those will be relevant to your listing if you have a similar product. Don’t just focus on one competitor, go to multiple competitors and find the common theme. This will give you a good idea of which keywords are the most relevant to your product. To take it a step further, utilize tools to scrape listings for keywords or search terms. "Scope" is a great resource to use, you can find the link to this tool from Seller Labs in the resource section at the bottom of this post. Don’t miss out on more helpful lessons on relevant keywords from Scott and Chris on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Make sure to OPTIMIZE your listing!

What will it take to see your product listing take off? If you want to rank for certain keywords and if you want your listing to be shown for certain keywords, you have to focus on optimizing your product listing. Don’t neglect this crucial step! Go through your title, bullets, description, and your backend search field. Don’t just stuff your backend search field with random stuff that makes no sense. It will hurt you down the line. Learn more about keywords, relevancy, and optimization on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

When should you pull a search term?

Once you have let a PPC campaign gather the data necessary, you need to pull the search term. How do you know it's the right time to do that? Scott and Chris talk a lot about 50 clicks being the “True relevance point.” Chris will even pull it around 10 clicks. The closer you get to 50 clicks, it will cost you more but relevant your search term is at that point. If you can stay patient it will end up benefiting you in the long run. If you’d like to hear Scott and Chris expand on this concept and more, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [0:30] Chris joins the podcast.
  • [4:50] Auto-targeting vs. Manual Keywords
  • [6:50] What are “Impressions, PPC, CPC?”
  • [11:00] What is a “Keyword?”
  • [12:20] Three different types of keyword targeting.
  • [19:20] What is “ACOS?”
  • [22:00] Auto campaign strategies. The new way vs. the old way.
  • [29:40] The pros and cons of loading up on keywords.
  • [33:40] How do you find the most relevant keywords to use?
  • [39:20] Make sure to optimize your listing!
  • [41:20] Scott and Chris run through a scenario including keyword usage.
  • [58:30] When to pull a search term.
  • [1:09:20] Recapping the “New Way.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS336.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Success stories are great! But it’s also helpful to hear about the challenges that come with the success. Challenges are something everyone can relate to. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from one of your fellow TAS followers, Jarret Colton. You might remember him from TAS episode 252. Jarret has experienced recent success and challenges with his private label business. Scott and Jarret discuss inventory problems, building a brand, building an email list, and so much more! This is a great episode with practical applications that you can learn from to improve your business approach, you don’t want to miss it.

Dealing with inventory problems

The two biggest problems an Amazon seller fears are having a product that doesn’t sell and having a product that sells but running out of inventory. Have you thought through how to deal with these scenarios? Do you have a plan for liquidating your product if it doesn’t sell like you expect it to? What about a product that takes off and you run of out of inventory, what is your plan? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott talks with someone who has gone through one of these challenges. Jarret Colton has seen a good amount of success with his business over the last year but recently ran out of stock for some of his best selling products. Scott and Jarret discuss this issue and some steps you can take to prevent it.

Are you creating a product or building a brand?

It can be easy to get so caught up in finding a product that performs well on Amazon and then focusing on the next best seller that you lose sight of the big picture. Building a brand. The best way to create long lasting and sustainable success is to break into a niche market and start building a brand around those products. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott talks to Jarret Colton. Jarret is following through with this methodology and is building a great brand around a very specific market. If you want to learn more about the success of focusing on brand building over chasing the next successful product, make sure to catch this episode!

Building an email list

One of the most important things you can do to start setting your business up for success and move away from just relying on Amazon sales is to build an email list. Jarret Colton learned this lesson after he attended a recent TAS event in Arizona. Jarret has a growing and successful private label business that he wants to take to the next level. He put all the pieces in place using the giveaway resource “King Sumo.” Before long he started to get people signing up for his giveaway - that soon translated to likes on the Facebook page he set up. Jarret was impressed with how great this strategy paid off. So what is holding you back? Are you ready to get started and take the steps necessary to build your email list? If you are, make sure to listen to this episode and also check out the email list building resource at the end of this post!

Keep Looking Forward and Take Action!

Are you struggling to find success with your business? Have you put the time and energy in only to see little or no results? Stay with it. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott has Jarret Colton give an update on his progress with selling on Amazon. Jarret has been an avid participant in the TAS community and attributes his success to following Scott’s advice. He wants business leaders like you to know that it gets better the more you press on. Jarret’s mantra through all the ups and downs of building his business has been, “Keep looking forward and TAKE ACTION.” That should sound familiar. Jarret also highly recommends getting involved with the in person TAS meetups and events as much as possible. He says that has been a HUGE factor in the success he has experienced.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [4:30] 1k Fast Track update.
  • [6:30] Scott welcome Jarret Colton to the podcast.
  • [7:20] Jarret shares how his business is progressing.
  • [12:30] Dealing with product inventory and delays.
  • [16:20] Jarret talks about selling a product that he was really nervous about.
  • [19:40] What was the process like for Jarret getting this product ready?
  • [29:30] What is Jarret’s biggest problem right now?
  • [39:40] Jarret talks about a celebrity that was using one of his products.
  • [42:30] What is Jarret’s current status with his business?
  • [47:40] Has Jarret thought about expanding to the digital market?
  • [49:45] Parting thoughts from Jarret.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS335.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Do you have the excitement and drive you need to reach your business and personal goals? Are you going into the weekend with focus and purpose? If you need to get fired up about your business or just life - you’ve come to the right place! You know Scott is ready to deliver on some great answers to questions from TAS followers like you. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares some personal insights and stories, addresses hijacked product listings, keyword optimization for multiple listings, and so much more! This is the way you want to wrap up your week and go into the weekend ready to TAKE ACTION!

 The healthy practice of graditude

What are some of the daily habits you practice? Maybe for you, it’s going and grinding coffee first thing in the morning. Or maybe it's getting the kids dressed and ready for school. Beyond the ordinary, do you have daily habits that center you? Do you have a rhythm that brings you focus and purpose? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott starts off his Ask Scott Session with some helpful advice. He’s been doing this a lot lately and you can tell that the wisdom he shares is really near and dear to his heart. This week Scott talks about the power of appreciation. It’s all about taking stock in the good that you have in your life and reflecting in gratitude. To hear Scott expand on this wisdom further, listen to this episode!

Responding to a hijacked product listing

It’s every Amazon sellers fear - your product listing has been hijacked. Not only that, someone has hijacked your high-quality product photos too! What are your options? What recourse do you have available? Unfortunately, there aren’t many options after this has happened. What you do have is options to prevent this from happening in the future. It’s a difficult and cumbersome process but if you’ve been burned or if you are really nervous about someone hijacking your listing and/or product images, there are resources for you. If you’d like to hear what options are available to you regarding copyright and trademarks, listen to this episode and be sure to check out the resources section at the bottom of this post!

Keyword optimization for multiple product listings

If you’ve been listening to Scott for very long, you know that he is a HUGE fan of diversifying and getting multiple product listings out there. You’ve heard him say that it isn’t a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. If you’ve heeded this advice you might be in a similar situation that one of your fellow TAS followers is in. He called in and asked Scott how he should focus his efforts on keyword optimization when he has hundreds of product listings. That is a great problem to have! If you want to know the best method to using your time and resources effectively when you have such a large quantity of listings, this is the episode for you!

How do you know you aren’t hijacking someone's product listing?

With all the talk of listings getting hijacked and sellers losing out on hard earned projected profits, you might be wondering, how do I know I’m not hijacking someone else’s listing? If you are just getting started, it's easy to see why this can be confusing. You are trying to do good product research and break into a product category but you don’t want to be a hijacker. Good! Know the difference. When you find a category you can be competitive in - do your research. Don’t be afraid of swooping in and providing a better product and a greater value to the customers. There is nothing wrong with that. It becomes hijacking when you deliberately sell the exact same product that someone else is selling. To hear Scott expand on these differences, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller.  

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:00] Take everyday to pause in gratitude and appreciation.
  • [3:00] Scott shares a personal story.
  • [11:18] Question #1: How can I protect my product photos from being hijacked?
  • [21:50] Question #2: How can I maximize my time with keywords for multiple listings?
  • [31:50] Question #3: What is the difference between a hijacker and someone looking to break into a competitive product market?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Make sure to catch all the latest TAS resources updates - HERE
  • Take steps to copyright your product images - HERE
  • Listen to Scott’s episode on trademarks and copyrights - HERE
  • Learn how to build an email list - HERE
  • Scope
  • Tony Robbins
Direct download: TAS334.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

You’ve been here before. You know the drill, Scott will have some rockstar guest on the podcast and you will get struck by some powerful insight and then days will go by. You haven’t acted on that great idea or pursued that ambitious goal. Scott’s guest Jamie Masters says that’s because you haven’t focused on “The One Thing.” Jamie is convinced that you often get too overwhelmed by all the possibilities that you fail to act on one great insight or lesson. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, she encourages listeners like you to slow down and grab one takeaway. There is so much content on this episode that it will be hard to choose which one, but having that narrow focus will set you up for great success.

Push outside of your comfort zone

What is holding you back? Why haven’t you completed the goals you’ve set for yourself? It may sound familiar but one of the most important things you can do to increase your productivity and reach the goals you’ve set is to push outside of your comfort zone. If you keep setting low-risk goals, you will never stretch yourself and grow. There is an old adage that says, “If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.” What are you waiting for? Push through the trepidation and fear. Set difficult and risky goals that force you to go outside your comfort zone. You won’t regret it. Get more insight on how to push outside your comfort zone by listening to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

The power of meditation

Everyone has a different reaction when it comes to the word “Meditation.” For some, it conjures images of relaxation, quiet, and peace. For others, it is associated with the words boring, useless, and too “Touchy feely.” But everyone needs to have clarity and focus in their lives. Everyone wants to have the peace and freedom that results from meditation but that word or the images it conjures scares them away. Jamie Masters works with powerful and serious professionals. She has found that one of the keys to their success and increased productivity is this habit of meditation. Because she works with professionals who are usually wary of meditation, Jamie has discovered some tools and methods to ease leaders into the practice. If you’d like to hear more about the power of meditation, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Getting into your “Flow State”

Have you ever noticed that some periods of time in your day or week seem to drag on forever and then others zip by way too quickly? How can you harness these moments to maximize your efficiency and productivity? Business coach Jamie Masters joins Scott on this episode of The Amazing Seller to share the insights she has learned on the topic of time management. She explains that in a recent book, “Stealing Fire” the authors describe a “Flow state.” This is when you plan around and leverage those moments when you feel like you are “In the zone.” Most people are conditioned to notice those moments and think nothing of it, this is a way to hack those spurts of creativity and use them to their fullest extent. To hear Jamie expand on this idea, listen to this episode!

The Master Schedule

Do you ever ask yourself “I have so many things, I don’t know what to work on?” Is it difficult for you to find focus and clarity to accomplish the tasks that you need to complete? Everyone has been there at some point. How can you get the tools necessary to move forward with a clear actionable plan? Scott’s guest on this episode of The Amazing Seller is Jamie Masters. She has a time-tested tool that will help you get the results you need to achieve success in life and business. That tool is the “Master Schedule.” Make sure to listen to this episode as Jamie explains how this tool can help business leaders like you.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:30] Jamie Masters joins the podcast.
  • [3:40] Jamie shares her story.
  • [9:00] The One Thing.
  • [12:20] Push outside of your comfort zone.
  • [21:00] How do you turn off all the “Noise?”
  • [26:10] Getting into the “Flow state”
  • [30:50] How to stick to your priorities.
  • [47:40] The Master Schedule.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS333.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Wouldn’t it be helpful to pick the brain of an expert on Chinese suppliers? Imagine the insights and lessons you could learn from such a knowledgeable individual. Look no further! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott’s guest is Sam Boyd. He has intimate knowledge of the Chinese supplier market. Sam lives in China and operates a business called Guided Imports that helps business leaders like you get all the resources you need to run your production smoothly. Scott and Sam cover why you shouldn’t focus on a single strategy, how to secure a dependable supplier, a streamlined product validation approach, and so much more! Sam is so generous that he also provides a product validation checklist. You don’t want to miss this helpful episode.

Don’t rely on one single strategy 

A common mistake that many business leaders make when they start their efforts with selling on Amazon and dealing with Chinese suppliers is relying on a single strategy. You need to keep in mind that circumstances change, be flexible and adapt to how the market shifts. There have been many failed attempts to get an operation up and running because the business leader was locked into doing things one particular way and that handicapped their efforts for success. Don’t let that be you! Learn how you can be flexible to change on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Securing a dependable supplier for your Amazon Product in China

What is the best strategy when starting your interactions with a Chinese supplier? How should you present yourself? Do you go in acting like a big supplier or do you start off being upfront and honest about your size and scale? Sam Boyd lives and works in China, he has a unique insight on how to do business with Chinese suppliers. His advice to sellers looking for a dependable supplier is, to be honest and upfront. Years ago it would have been almost impossible to do business with a supplier if you were coming to them as a small-scale business, but that’s no longer the case. To hear Sam expand on his insight with Chinese suppliers, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

A streamlined Product Validation service

Do you have a bunch of great ideas for products to list on Amazon? Is the one thing holding you back the time needed to validate each product idea? There is a proven and successful way to outsource this step. Scott’s guest, Sam Boyd has a service that will take your product ideas and help you validate them in a streamlined process. This is a game changer. Imagine all the time and resources you’ll save! Listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear how Sam’s service can help you fast track your business toward exponential success.

Go with your gut, don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad Business Deal

Getting started as a Private Label seller can be long and laborious. Hang in there! By coming to The Amazing Seller, you have many of the tools you need right at your fingertips. Scott’s guest, Sam Boyd encourages business leaders to remain patient. If you are not seeing the numbers you would like to or if you don’t feel good about working with a particular supplier, don’t be afraid to start again. This is vital advice to consider that could save you a lot of money down the line. Go with your gut, don’t be afraid to walk away. Be confident that you have the resources there at TAS to help you overcome any struggles you face.

 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:15] Sam Boyd joins the podcast.
  • [3:40] Sam shares his story.
  • [5:20] What motivated Sam to move to China?
  • [8:20] What should business leaders be aware of?
  • [11:00] Sam talks about his checklist for product validation with suppliers.
  • [16:15] Funnel sourcing strategy.
  • [18:15] Are there any other sourcing options out there?
  • [21:50] How do you determine if you are working with a trading company or a factory?
  • [25:30] How do you narrow your supplier search down?
  • [30:00] What does the first communication with a potential supplier look like?
  • [35:20] How do you deal with the financial piece with these suppliers?
  • [41:00] What is the process with inspecting products?
  • [55:00] Sam talks about his validation service.
  • [59:40] What is it that sets Sam’s business apart?
  • [1:03:40] Parting advice from Sam.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS332.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Scott is fired up and ready to deliver on this Friday’s Ask Scott Session! He has been traveling and had the opportunity to meet up with some TAS followers in Dallas, TX. Scott also had the fortune to learn from Tony Robbins! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares some important insights and lessons he learned from both of those experiences as well as get to questions regarding liability insurance, fixing negative feedback, and dealing with no buy box options. This is the place for answers to YOUR questions, so sit down with a pen and paper and get ready! 

Making a personal connection really matters

Making the personal connection really matters! A lot of people may write that off as a platitude or simplistic statement but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Relationships matter in life and business. If you don’t get that, you won’t find success. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott describes how impactful it was to recently meet up with a group of TAS followers. He wants people like you to know that you have a HUGE influence on how he runs TAS and the services he provides. This isn’t just something Scott is passionate about, it’s applicable in business too! As you are building your business, consider how you can provide quality service and create raving fans - you’ll be better for it.

Lessons learned from Tony Robbins

While Scott was traveling he had the opportunity to hear from Tony Robbins. He walked away so pumped up from the lessons and insights he gathered that he wants to share them with his TAS crew! Here are three key lessons Scott walked away with:

  • Don’t fall in love with your project or product. Not every product will be a “Homerun.”
  • Fall in love with your market/clients/customers. Learn about them and how you can serve them better. Become an expert.
  • Focus. The power of clarity and commitment. If you can focus and commit to your goals, you can achieve whatever you want.

Scott also takes these lessons and shows how he has applied them to his life. He gives a great update on his progress with his personal fitness goals. Make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear more!

Do you need Liability Insurance?

Getting started with selling products on Amazon can be intimidating. Many people have a lot of questions and there are numerous unknown factors. One of the leading questions that comes up is what to do about insurance? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gets a question about how to determine if you need insurance as a Private Label seller and also whether you need it as a product reseller. Are you at risk? What do you need to do to cover yourself? Scott isn’t a lawyer but he is able to provide some helpful guidance to this question. Listen to this episode to find out what you need to do to make sure you aren’t putting yourself at unnecessary risk.  

How do you overcome negative feedback?

How do you overcome negative feedback as an Amazon seller? Maybe you made an early mistake and you are trying to recover. One of the best ways to recover your standing is to engage in retail arbitrage. Go out there and find items that you can list and hopefully turn a profit and start getting some positive feedback on your account. You can also reach out to your customers and go the extra mile to make sure they are happy and satisfied. This isn’t unfixable, this is something you will be able to overcome. You just need to sit back, make a plan and put it in place. To hear Scott expand on these solutions and more, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [7:30] Wisdom Scott learned from Tony Robbins.
  • [16:10] Question #1: Do I need liability insurance as a product reseller?
  • [23:15] Question #2: How can I recover from negative feedback?
  • [28:15] Question #3: I’m not getting the traffic that I expected, is it because I don’t have a buy box?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS331.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Wouldn’t it be great to get insight from someone who has worked at an Amazon warehouse? How about someone who has built a thriving eCommerce business and sold it at a good profit? What if you were able to get tips and hacks on how to build a strong and valuable relationship with Chinese suppliers? Look no further! Scott’s guest on this episode of The Amazing Seller is David Bryant. He has all the above experiences to share and a lot more. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. So make the time, sit down with a pen and paper and take in all the valuable insight David has to share!

Establishing supplier relations in China

How can you get the best value out of dealing with a supplier from China? Business leader David Bryant has some great tips and hacks to share about making the right connections and getting the best deals. David highly suggests traveling to China if you can make that happen. Once there you can go to trade shows and meet many of the suppliers and establish a relationship. David says that there are many suppliers that don’t show up on Alibaba and they are eager to get new clients. The best part is because they aren’t on Alibaba your competition is very low for their business. If you can’t make it to China, David suggests looking up the suppliers that are on the list for many of the trade shows in China. Then contact those suppliers and try to establish a relationship with them. To hear David expand on these tips and so much more - listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Selling your eCommerceBusiness

Starting something new can be very intimidating, it can also be exhausting. But for David Bryant, it’s exhilarating. David recently sold his eCommerce business and is gearing up for starting something brand new. He has learned the valuable lesson that his worth isn’t in his company, it’s in the skills and expertise that he has discovered in himself over the years. This realization allowed David to do what seems crazy to a lot of FBA business leaders, sell his business. David doesn't regret it for a moment. He was happy to make the deal and he’s fired up for his next project. You can learn more about David’s story on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

What is it like working in an Amazon Warehouse?

What is it like inside an Amazon warehouse? Scott’s guest, David Bryant recently sold his successful eCommerce business and decided to take the free time he had to see what it would be like to work for a seasonal position at an Amazon warehouse. He describes the process as “Seeing the sausage get made.” It was a fascinating and eye-opening experience for David. He spent his time at their “Oversize items” warehouse where he learned that Amazon has the capacity to ship just about anything regardless of size or weight. If you’d like to hear more about David’s inside look at an Amazon warehouse, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

The key to a successful FBA Business

What is one of the most important things you can do be successful with an FBA business? It sounds simple but David Bryant’s advice is to just get started. Don’t wait around for too long, get your feet wet! You might be really concerned about making all the right decisions - dotting your “i’s” and crossing your “t’s.” But the number one thing that is going to bring you success is getting the momentum started. David is confident that once you get that ball rolling, it will motivate you more than anything else can. So what are you waiting for? As Scott LOVES to say, TAKE ACTION!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:40] David Bryant joins the show.
  • [4:20] David talks about his background.
  • [10:00] Post college David travels to China.
  • [12:30] How should someone go about finding an overseas supplier?
  • [16:40] David talks about the success he found in his niche.
  • [21:00] Marketing a product well.
  • [23:00] David talks about setting the right price point.
  • [26:00] How did David and his team roll out new products and plan for the future?
  • [30:10] How do you use premium packaging when you are just testing a product?
  • [32:30] How would David test 20 new units?
  • [37:30] David talks about listing his company for sale.
  • [41:50] How confidant is David about starting a new company from scratch?
  • [45:50] How does David pick which products to pursue?
  • [47:30] David talks about working for Amazon as an experiment.
  • [54:20] Parting advice from David.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS330.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Have you considered buying or selling an FBA business? Then you came to the right place! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with Justin Cooke. Justin specializes in facilitating the sale of eCommerce businesses. He runs Empire Flippers and has some powerful insights to share with the TAS audience today. Justin and Scott cover the importance of diversification, how to position your FBA business for sale, and how starting and selling small FBA businesses can be profitable. There is a lot of content in this episode so make sure you grab a pen and some paper and even check out the transcript at the end of this post!

How important is it to diversify your business? 

How important is it to diversify your business? You hear a lot about how important it is to diversify your income in the eCommerce industry. Scott and Justin emphasize how necessary it is to grow your business in other sectors. Justin learned this firsthand when he had to make adjustments to his first business early on. The key is to remember that your business isn’t the moneymaker, you are. You are the one who has the skills and the ability to get stuff done. That is the lesson that Justin learned when he had to take his skills and pivot to find success. To learn more about Justin and Empire Flippers, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

What makes an FBA business attractive to a potential buyer?

What makes an FBA business attractive to a potential buyer? If you are considering selling your FBA business, you need to know that cash flowing assets are key. Potential buyers are looking for a business that is ready to go and making consistent profits. They want to be able to take the products that you have refined and marketed and plug them into their operation. To learn more about how you can position your FBA business to look attractive and turn a profit, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! 

Is starting up and selling FBA business a feasible business model?

Is starting up and selling multiple FBA businesses a feasible business model? If you have found your niche and you are really successful at identifying and marketing products well it would be a great plan to start up small FBA businesses and sell them for a profit. Going down this route would put you in a great position to understand the market and leverage your skills as an entrepreneur and startup specialist. Scott’s guest Justin Cooke goes through the benefits of honing in on this ability and turning a significant profit. You don’t want to miss 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!
  • [3:20] Justin Cooke joins the show.
  • [10:30] Scott and Justin talk about adapting to changes in the industry.
  • [12:40] Justin talks about diversification.
  • [17:30] What makes an online business attractive to buyer?
  • [24:40] Justin gives an example of an online business helped sell.
  • [28:40] Who are the buyers who purchase these businesses?
  • [33:30] Justin talks about how these online business are purchased.
  • [36:30] How does the inventory factor into the sale?
  • [39:30] How to do you transfer an FBA business?
  • [44:00] Do lawyers get involved in this process?
  • [46:00] What are these buyers doing, are they growing it or maintaining it?
  • [48:40] What is the selling sweet spot for FBA businesses?
  • [51:10] Are Amazon Associate and Ad Sense sites still selling well?
  • [54:20] Is it a business model for someone who can start up these Amazon seller businesses and then flip them?
  • [59:00] Last tips from Justin.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS329.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

This episode of The Amazing Seller is a special one! Scott is celebrating his 100th episode of the Ask Scott Session. Make sure to carve out the time for today’s episode. Scott will announce a very special opportunity for TAS followers like you to enter into a drawing for a FREE 30-minute coaching call with himself or Chris. This doesn’t happen very often and it's an opportunity with great value so pay attention on how to enter! Scott also covers celebrating wins, the future of eCommerce, getting Amazon reviews, and protecting your product from getting hijacked. This is an episode that you don’t want to miss!

Celebrate your wins in life and business!

With the rush of life, you can let “Wins” breeze past you without so much as a little pause and celebration. Don’t let that happen! Take the time to stop and look at what you’ve accomplished. You worked hard and sacrificed to get that win, celebrate it! Every little gain along the way adds up, to fight back against the doubts and setbacks you will need these wins to hold on to. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott celebrates one of these wins - the 100th episode of the Ask Scott Session! Scott’s enthusiasm is infectious - let his passion and energy get you fired up and ready to go out there and take action today!

Is it too late to get started with eCommerce?

A question Scott gets often is; “Did I miss the boat on eCommerce?” The answer is NO! It’s still a growing and ever changing market, the only thing holding you back from getting started today is YOU. Scott goes back to the main thing that helps business leaders and entrepreneurs thrive - offer a solution to a problem that lots of people are dealing with. If you can figure that out and market it well, you will be on the road to success. If you are on the edge about jumping into eCommerce, you have to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

What’s the deal with Amazon reviews?

Do all the recent changes regarding Amazon reviews have you confused about what you can and cannot do? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives some helpful insights on where to get started with your review strategy. It is important to note that it is against Amazon’s “Terms of Service” to have your family members leave reviews for your product. Scott’s suggestion is to stay away from leveraging your family relationships for that reason. Also, avoid “Deal sites” that offer customers deals in exchange for reviews. Scott suggests going to influencers on blogs, Instagram, etc. and have them run giveaways of your product. To hear Scott talk more about review strategies, listen to this episode and check out the resources in the links!

Working with manufacturers in China

Investing a lot of time and energy into product research and connecting with an overseas manufacturer can be nerve racking. How do you know they won’t give your product design to someone else or use it themselves? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott tackles this scenario. There are a few things you can do to protect yourself and communicate to the manufacturer that you are serious about protecting your intellectual property. Scott also offers some thoughts on getting legal help and pursuing a patent. Make sure to catch this episode!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:50] How to get a FREE 30 min. Coaching Call from Scott or Chris!
  • [4:40] Celebrate your wins!
  • [8:30] Question #1: Am I too late to the party? Can I be successful? Is there an updated cheat sheet to determine what the sales per day are according to the BSR rankings?
  • [14:40] Question #2: Can we give people promo codes or is Amazon not allowing that anymore or should we just pursue unverified reviews?
  • [25:30] Question #3: I’m working with a manufacturer in China and I want to know, how would you talk to the provider in China to make sure that they don't recycle the design that you invested in and sell it to other customers?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • T25 Beach Body Workout
  • Submit your name for a FREE 30 min. coaching call from Scott or Chris - HERE
  • Ask your question to be featured on an “Ask Scott Session” - HERE
  • Tell your success story - HERE
  • TAS interview with Greg from Jungle Scout found - HERE
  • Updated Jungle Scout resources found - HERE
  • TAS episode on Product Research found - HERE
  • TAS episode on digging deeper through the numbers found - HERE
  • TAS episode on review strategies found - HERE
  • TAS episode on future reviews found - HERE
  • Salesbacker
  • TAS resources found - HERE
  • Random.org
Direct download: TAS328.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Crowdfunding has a huge presence and influence in the startup marketplace. There are so many headlines that tell of the overnight success of product campaigns on sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. This seems like a perfect platform to integrate your product into. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with Khierstyn Ross a specialist in helping entrepreneurs launch their products on crowdfunding sites and beyond. You’ll hear her take on product validation, building a prelaunch audience, and seeing crowdfunding as more than a “One-time event.” Get ready for some powerful insights!

Validating a product for crowdfunding

The key to a successful crowdfunding campaign is momentum. You need to drive a lot of people to make pledges toward your product. How do you know a product will be a hit with a lot of people? Khierstyn Ross shares a few insights she has gathered as she consults with people trying to launch a product via crowdfunding. She encourages business leaders to get out and talk with everyday people about their product. Does it strike a nerve? Does it solve a problem that resonates? She doesn’t pretend to know the ins and outs of every industry or niche that a product will address but she knows how to help an entrepreneur ask the right questions. Get more helpful insights from Khierstyn on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

What is the best way to build a prelaunch audience for your product?

So you’ve done the research and you know your product is solving a problem that will resonate with people. How do you get people fired up about this product? How do you ensure that your launch day goes off with a BANG? Khierstyn Ross has a few ideas that will help you optimize your efforts to build a prelaunch audience. She has found that running Facebook ads with video is extremely successful in building that audience. This strategy is effective when you also include a special promotion to give ad viewers a discount percentage off of the item on launch day. To hear more tips from Khierstyn, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Is crowdfunding right for you and your product?

It seems like there is no end to the variety of products available on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. But is this method of product promotion and audience gathering right for you? The truth is you don’t have to have a completely new original idea for a product to be successful on a crowdfunding site. It is a great place for original product ideas but you can also have a familiar product that has been repurposed for a specific demographic or with features that no one else is providing. One fact remains, you need to have a physical product. If you are considering leveraging crowdfunding for your product launch, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Don’t think of crowdfunding as a one-time event

Most people think of crowdfunding as a one-time event. You promote and publicize a product, gain the funding needed, then ship the item to the backers. Done. But is that thinking shortsighted? Could you leverage crowdfunding as part of a larger business model? Khierstyn Ross has built a business assisting entrepreneurs who are just getting their product on the market. She is convinced that crowdfunding can be utilized as a tool to launch into even greater success. Find out how you might be able to use crowdfunding with your product on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:30] Scott welcomes Khierstyn Ross to the show.
  • [4:40] Khierstyn talks about her background in business.
  • [10:00] How does crowdfunding a product work?
  • [14:15] What happens to the funds raised if you don’t reach the stated goal?
  • [18:00] A Kickstarter page ranks high on Google right? Does that page stay up?
  • [20:00] What crowdfunding site is best?
  • [21:30] How would rolling out a product on one of these sites look like?
  • [23:30] What is the first step once you’ve done your product and market research?
  • [25:40] How would Khierstyn validate a product?
  • [30:00] What is the best strategy to build a prelaunch audience?
  • [33:30] Creating an appealing crowdfunding page.
  • [36:30] Who should use crowdfunding?
  • [40:00] What about patents?
  • [41:00] Don’t think of crowdfunding as a one time event.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS327.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Have you been waiting for Scott and Chris to get down to brass tacks and tackle a scenario like the one you are facing? Well look no further, it’s time for the Hot Seat! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris will break down a question from a TAS follower like you. They will cover product variations, keyword optimization, how to move your product quickly to recoup your costs, and so much more! This episode might have just right the tips, insights, and lessons you need to up your game and take action. Don’t wait. Grab your pen and paper tune and into this content rich episode.

Use caution when adding color variations to your product listings.

The last thing you want is to spend money that you didn’t need to. A critical step in the product research phase is to make sure you aren’t adding options that your potential customers are not expecting. For example, some products don’t need color variations, at least not right away. Listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller as Chris and Scott discuss the reasons to be cautious about which variations you add at to your product listing. If you are just getting started, make sure that you catch this helpful episode!

Optimize the keywords in the title of your Amazon product listing

Sometimes the best solution for a problem you’ve been having is the simplest one. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Chris gives some great advice on how to optimize the title of your Amazon product listing. Don’t forget that quick glances at your product and titles MAKE a huge impression. Consider restructuring your title if you aren’t getting the results you are looking for. Don’t include unnecessary words. An example is using the words silver or chrome when describing stainless steel, those colors automatically come to mind for the consumer. If you are wondering how you can optimize your title, make sure to listen to this episode!

Tips on how to move your product quickly.

If you have some products that you’ve used in a testing phase or you just can’t seem to move them, what are your options? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott gives some great tips on how to move product quickly and recoup some of your costs.

  • Lower your price. See if that makes a difference. Lower the price for a few weeks.
  • Go to a place like Snagshout or Slickdeals and list it there. Do a close out sale.
  • Reach out to a blogger or Instagram page to see if they would do a contest with your product.

To get more great tips and insights from Scott, make sure to listen to this episode!

Approach your listing with fresh eyes

An old maxim says that “Familiarity breeds complacency.” You’ve seen this truth play out in your own life. You get used to the weird sound your car makes and you don’t notice it until someone who never rides in your car gets in. Well, the same can be said of your Amazon product listing. You’ve spent so much time building it and crafting it to be “Just right” that you may have become blind to it limitations. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Chris encourages sellers like to you to take a look at a competitor's listing and pick it apart. Then he wants you to take that same critical eye and turn it on your listing to see what you might be missing. This simple step could help you spot that one thing that you’ve been missing.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:10] The situation that’s on the hot seat today!
  • [9:50] Caution for adding color variations.
  • [15:30] Optimizing keywords in the listing’s title.
  • [23:40] Scott and Chris break down the numbers for this product.
  • [26:30] Some ideas on how to move your product quickly to recoup cost.
  • [30:00] Chris talks about the best PPC (Pay Per Click) strategy.
  • [36:00] Some parting advice from Chris.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

  • Listen to the episode Scott mentioned about depth and demand - HERE
  • Find all the Hotseat episodes - HERE
  • Watch the live events sizzle reels - HERE
  • Slickdeals
  • Snagshout
Direct download: TAS326.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Are you fired up and ready to go? Do you have what you need to succeed as a business owner? If you are looking for that shot in the arm and some answers to questions you’ve been wondering about, then you came to the right place! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott starts by jumping right in with a “Thought of the week.” He then tackles questions about operating as an Amazon seller outside of the US, protecting your customer, and steps to protect your listing from getting hijacked. Before you head into the weekend, make this last stop to get the insight you need to equip you on your journey toward success.

Don’t get comfortable in your business!

Everything in our culture screams at us to get comfortable as quickly as possible and for as long as possible. Discomfort and difficulty are two words that our society trains us to run away from. Should you listen to that message? Is that good advice for life and business? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott tells a personal story about how getting comfortable led to a scary situation in his home one night. Listen to this episode and learn the lesson that Scott discovered that night and how you should avoid getting comfortable.

What options do you have an Amazon seller outside the US?

If you want to catch the wave with private labeling and selling on Amazon but you live overseas, what are your options? Is it worth the effort? Scott tackles the best options for business owners who are trying to get started with Amazon selling from overseas. One method is understanding that during the product research phase, this is going to be costly and not generate much of a profit, the point is the research on the product. Another option is having the supplier ship the product to Amazon with a PDF that you send to them. A lot of people are nervous about this option but it’s not likely to become an issue. If you want more details on these options, take the time to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Serve your customers with excellence.

Making money and getting success is a key ambition for many business owners. Another concern should be serving your customer well. What do you do when you have a valuable product but it also has some elements of danger to it? Do you provide numerous warnings? What about including safety items to protect the consumer? Scott walks through a couple of options you have as a seller to protect your own liability and ensure that you are doing right by the customer. If consumer safety with your product is a concern, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Worried about getting your Amazon Listing Hijacked?

So you are just starting out with selling on Amazon and you a little cautious. You aren’t sure if you want to spend the time and energy moving toward one product only to get it hijacked by someone else down the line. How do you prevent this from happening? Scott emphasizes that the product research phase is key here. You need to do as much of the work that you can and possibly even consult an attorney. Scott also touches on the value of bundling products to help keep others from hijacking your listing. To hear Scott expand on these ideas and more, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:20] Thought of the Week - you should not become comfortable.
  • [8:50] Question #1: Is there a way to buy stuff from AliExpress and then sell it onto Amazon without private labeling it?
  • [14:15] Question #2: I want to include a safety item with my product, what is the best way to do that?
  • [19:50] Question #3: How can I prevent hijackers in my niche market?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS325.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Complexity can be simplified if you have the right tools. Scott has your back. He looks for every bit of advice, tips, scenarios, and insights that will help you excel in your business. Because of his diligence and networking abilities, Scott came across a helpful blog post from Jeff Cohen and his team. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Jeff go over the tools you need to leverage your marketing list, how to garner reviews for your product, and how to go from good to great levels of success. You don’t want to miss this powerful and practical episode!

Imagine, you have some products that have been slow or nearly impossible to move and Amazon is letting you know that you have an increase in storage fees coming. Should you pay it? Can you liquidate it? What do you do? Jeff Cohen came across a similar scenario when he heard from one of his clients. That client proceeded to utilize “Snagshout” and successfully liquidated his product, made money, and sold additional products in the process. If you are facing a similar situation or you just want the peace of mind by having the tools necessary to tackle it if it comes up, you came to the right place!

On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with business leader Jeff Cohen. Part of their conversation touched on garnering reviews for Amazon products. Jeff gives some helpful tips to keep in mind when trying to accumulate a good number of reviews.

  • Don’t ask for a review if the product was purchased at a very heavy discount.
  • You cannot ask the buyer for a positive review.
  • You cannot tell the buyer what to write in the review. No examples of a perfect review.

Listen to this episode to get more useful tips and insights from Jeff!

Sometimes the easiest solution to a lot of problems is sitting right in front of you. Why not use the tools you have and the resources at your fingertips to solve issues you run into? Jeff Cohen points out that one of the greatest advantages to building a marketing list and cultivating a brand following is leveraging that when the time comes to liquidate products. He suggests that if you need to liquidate products quickly, offer them at a great discount to your brand following. It makes them feel special and it solves your problem. It’s a win, win! To hear Jeff expand on this thought further, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

It has been said that the enemy of doing something great isn’t doing something poorly, it’s settling for good. Where are you settling for good rather than pushing for great in your business? One area to be aware of according to Jeff Cohen is your storage fees through Amazon. He says that a lot of people focus their research and time trying to figure out how much it will cost to get their product to Amazon but less focus around how to manage their storage fees once it gets there. He is convinced that this one issue is holding a lot of business leaders back from seeing significant sales and profits. Don’t settle for good, shoot for great! Learn more from Jeff on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:45] Scott welcome Jeff Cohen to the show.
  • [4:00] Jeff talks about liquidating products quickly.
  • [7:00] What’s the news around the big review change?
  • [10:30] Jeff’s tips about reviews.
  • [15:50] What is the average return on getting reviews from giveaways with and without solicitation?
  • [21:20] A strategy for liquidating products.
  • [26:40] An update on “Snagshout”
  • [31:00] Jeff talks about list building.
  • [34:20] A special deal for TAS followers.
  • [36:45] Scott stumps Jeff.
  • [39:00] Jeff and Scott talk about Seller Summit.
  • [44:00] One last piece of wisdom from Jeff.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS324.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott interviews Steve Chou, a successful business leader, and entrepreneur. After years of building a thriving eCommerce business, Steve decided to take his insights and knowledge to help others get started in this booming industry. The primary way Steve is imparting his knowledge is by organizing high-quality and high-value conferences. Don’t check out at the thought of attending a conference. You might think it’s not worth your time, but you don’t know what you are missing! Listen has Steve and Scott make the case for leveraging the networking and collaborative opportunities available at eCommerce conferences.

Let’s face it, conferences can feel like a HUGE waste of time. If you have a family, it’s super inconvenient to take off for a few days and leave your spouse and kids behind. Is it really worth it? Steve Chou use to think that conferences were a waste of time too. Now he attends five to six conferences a year and he’s become a conference organizer. What made him change? What value did he find? He found that collaboration and networking were a wonderful byproduct of attending these gatherings. Hear more about how Steve has leveraged attending conferences to expand his business and success on this episode of The Amazing Seller.

What goes into crafting the most memorable and impactful conference events? What makes a conference stand out from all the rest? Avid conference attendee and business leader Steve Chou has learned over the years what makes a great conference. In recent years, he has turned to organizing conferences that stay small and intimate. Steve is convinced that the most value a person can get out of a conference lies in WHO they interact with. Information is wonderful and it’s an important feature but getting to know someone and bouncing ideas off of them is one of the most valuable yet underrated keys to a successful conference experience.

Everyone has been there, you went to a conference to get a jumpstart to your business and yet days or weeks later you still haven’t taken any action on what you learned. How do you apply the information you receive from eCommerce conferences? Conference organizer and business leader Steve Chou suggests finding someone who will hold you accountable. Maybe this is someone you meet at the conference, maybe it's a family member or business associate. The key point here is, you need someone who will check in and hold you to implementing the information you gathered at a conference.

There are many people curious about and trying to get started in eCommerce. Is eCommerce still a viable industry to start a business in? Is it worth taking the time to explore and invest in? Entrepreneur Steve Chou is convinced that the best is yet to come regarding eCommerce. He says that eCommerce is still just a small fraction of overall sales. Patterns show that it will continue to get increasingly difficult and competitive as more and more people pour into the marketplace. Steve highlights the necessity of finding the unique value proposition of what you are selling. To here Steve expand on this idea and more, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:30] Scott welcomes Steve Chou to the show.
  • [4:30] Steve tells a little about himself.
  • [6:50] Why does Steve go to so many conferences?
  • [13:30] Big things can happen from attending one event.
  • [21:30] What advice would Steve give to people who attend events?
  • [23:00] How do you organize events that appeal to the most people?
  • [27:30] What has Steve learned from past events to improve upon?
  • [30:00] How do you apply the info you gather from conferences?
  • [36:30] Who will be speaking at Steve’s next conference?
  • [46:20] Is e-commerce still a viable industry?
  • [51:00] A face to the brand or business.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS323.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Have you just started taking steps to build your business? Or have you been at it for some time now? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott has some wisdom to share and questions to answer that will be helpful no matter where you are in the process. Listen as Scott shares a vital truth that has inspired him on his journey to success. Also, he addresses questions from TAS followers like you! Don’t miss out on Scott’s helpful insight and contagious enthusiasm!

Small Wins add up to fuel success in life and business

Everyone is focused on the big wins and the splashy success stories. That’s what gets the clicks on web articles and even newspaper sales. What you won’t see celebrated in the headlines are the small wins. So why should you care about the small wins? When you stack up small wins over time, that leads to a story of success. Big gains and overnight success stories are the exceptions, not the rule. Most people live their lives and experience growth both personally and professionally just a little bit at a time. To hear Scott expand on this idea more, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

1K Fast Track

What is holding you back from getting started with your own business today? Is it fear of failure that is holding you back? Or is it a lack of capital? Whatever it is that is keeping you from taking action - Scott has a plan to help you get started! Scott has successfully launched his passion project, The 1K Fast Track. He has already helped many TAS followers get started on the road to success and he wants YOU to be involved in the next group. Find out how you can get started with the next group by following the link included in the resources section at the end of this post.

Chinese Sourcing Sites for your products

Is Alibaba the best option for sourcing your product? What about another Chinese sourcing site called “1688” that is cheaper but is only in Chinese? With an ever changing economy and dealing with partners in a different country, uncertainty is a common feeling for a lot of business owners in this market. Scott has been through a lot of these same scenarios and he has a vast network of colleagues whose wisdom he can draw upon. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott goes through the benefits of using a site like “1688.” He also addresses some possible advantages that Mandarin-speaking business leaders and entrepreneurs can leverage for additional income. If you’ve been wondering whether the sourcing site you use is the best option out there, you have to listen to this episode!

Issues with Brand Registry

Are you getting ready to launch a product? Are you still in the research phase? There are some important things you need to know regarding brand registry. Scott breaks down how vital it is to have your business’ brand or logo on your product and also on your website. This is how Amazon verifies that you are the owner of that brand. Navigating these questions regarding brand registry and be very confusing and maybe even frustrating. Make sure you listen to this episode and search through previous The Amazing Seller episodes to cover all your bases.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] Small Wins.
  • [3:50] A little win from a TAS member.
  • [6:00] 1K Fast Track Update.
  • [8:00] Question #1: Do you have any experience with the sourcing site “1688?” How can a mandarin speaker leverage their skill in the marketplace?
  • [12:30] Question #2: The product I’m selling doesn’t have my company name printed on it. Is that going to be an issue with brand registry?
  • [19:40] Question #3: Is it a good idea to put together a kit and enter a fairly competitive market and then possibly sell individual components in this market once I’ve established myself with the kit?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS322.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Are you ready to get started with selling online? How great would it be to hear from someone who has recently found the success you are looking for? You might be wondering what does selling online look like, how can you get started? You’ve come to the right place! On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott sits down with Gary and Kim Rey who went from zero to one million dollars in sales all through Retail Arbitrage and Online Arbitrage via Fulfillment By Amazon. You will hear how they got started, how they divide the labor and some of their best practices and tips that you can implement today! Don’t let any more excuses keep you from pursuing success, take action!

Retail Arbitrage and Online Arbitrage - what is the difference?

Lingo and insider verbiage can be very confusing. You might be afraid to ask or maybe you forgot so here is a quick recap of what Retail and Online Arbitrage are. Retail Arbitrage is surveying retail stores to find products that there is a demand for on Amazon. Online Arbitrage is the same thing but it’s all done online, no physical shopping in the retail stores. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from a husband and wife team. Gary enjoys OA and his wife Kim enjoys RA. Don’t miss the lessons you can learn from their recent success!

Retail Arbitrage is a great way to get started with selling online.

You know you want to get started with selling online but you aren’t sure what route to take. Should you start with Retail Arbitrage (RA) or Online Arbitrage (OA) or something else? Kim Rey found that starting off with RA was really helpful for her. Kim started by buying just a few extra items here and there when she was out shopping. She would look at the profit that she would be able to make on each item and decide from there. Her strategy has changed over time but she found this to be a great way to get started. Find out what you can learn from Kim and her husband Gary’s experience on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Selling on Amazon using existing listings.

Selling online can be very intimidating. There is a lot of different strategies and lingo to wrap your mind around and you are nervous about losing your money and failing. This is one of the reasons Scott invited Gary and Kim Rey on the show today. Gary and Kim have successfully learned and streamlined an approach to Retail Arbitrage (RA) and Online Arbitrage (OA) that works for them. They don’t even get involved with creating their own listings on Amazon. Gary and Kim simply find products that are performing well and that they can get at a low price and then post those products to existing listings on Amazon. This may not work for everyone but it does simplify the process. To hear more about Gary and Kim’s story, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Don’t let your personal preferences influence what you buy and sell.

You’ve heard it said that “You are your own worst enemy.” Gary and Kim Rey would agree with that statement. They have been highly successful engaging in Retail Arbitrage (RA) and Online Arbitrage (OA) over the last couple of years. One of their biggest tips when getting started with RA and OA is to avoid personal bias. Even if you cringe at the thought of black nail polish, don’t let that keep you from researching the price and possibly making a big profit. They’ve learned over the years that there are many different and niche interests in the marketplace and if they can learn and adapt to these interests, they will be more successful for it. Learn more lessons from Gary and Kim on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [2:00] How the 1K Fast Track can help you.
  • [5:40] Scott welcomes Gary and Kim Rey to the show.
  • [6:50] Gary and Kim share their story.
  • [9:50] Gary breaks down Retail Arbitrage (RA) and Online Arbitrage (OA).
  • [15:50] Kim talks about RA.
  • [27:15] How can you get started in RA?
  • [34:15] Is everything Gary and Kim sell via Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)?
  • [39:50] Is it more competitive with OA or RA?
  • [50:20] Kim talks about the products they buy and their Return on Investment (ROI).
  • [53:10] Gary and Kim do not create any new listings.
  • [54:50] Don’t let your personal preferences influence what you buy.
  • [59:10] Gary shares some parting thoughts.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS321.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Everyone needs inspiration. We’d be nowhere if leaders and passionate individuals didn’t share what fired them up. Scott’s guest, John Lee Dumas will get you fired up and ready to go with his powerful lessons and insights. On this episode, John shares about the power of a proven framework, how to master productivity, get a jump on your day, get out of a funk, and so much more! If you’ve been looking for the right encouragement and motivation to take you to the next level in your pursuit of success, look no further. John and Scott discuss the tools and tips you need to implement change in your life and business today. Get ready to take action!

Master productivity, discipline, and focus with the “Pomodoro Technique”

Do you find yourself limited on time? Are you constantly squeezing in just a tiny bit of time here and there for your dream project when you can? There is a better way. You can master your time management with a powerful tool. It’s called the “Pomodoro Technique.” Innovator John Lee Dumas has benefited greatly from this method of focus and discipline. He wants every driven individual to discover this tool and maximized their ability to pursue their dreams. To hear John expand on this idea and more tips to help you succeed, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Win Tomorrow Today!

How do you stay on top of the untamable beast called life? What can you do to remain focused and dedicated to the goals and objectives you want to accomplish throughout the day? Business leader John Lee Dumas coined a strategy that can help you stay on top of the things that matter. He’s called it “Win Tomorrow Today.” John’s plan helps you shape a focused morning routine that you can implement as soon as you wake up in the morning. He wants every business leader to experience the success he’s found and get a hold of the day before it gets a chance to take it away from you!

Do you see a problem in the world? Be the solution!

You’d think after several successful product launches and a fruitful career as an entrepreneur and innovator, John Lee Dumas would rest on his laurels. You would be wrong. In fact, even as his latest product, “The Mastery Journal” is in full swing, John has his eye on the next endeavor. What is it that makes guys like John keep going? Simply put, John has an ability to see “holes” or problems in the world and he isn’t content with hoping someone else will solve it. He takes that old adage “Be the change you want to see in the world” to heart! John’s passion and drive are infectious, you won’t want to miss him on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

How to get out of the “Funk”

Sometimes you get stuck in a “Funk.” Even with all of the powerful and helpful tools at your disposal, sometimes the path forward seems clouded. Business leader and innovator John Lee Dumas has one key piece of advice to get out of your funk. John’s advice is going to sound really familiar to the TAS crowd - take action! If you want to be, you have to do. Don’t just dream of writing a book, you have to start writing. Get engaged with the things you dream about accomplishing. Just take a step, that is where success is made. To hear John unpack this idea further, make sure to catch this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03 ] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [3:20] John Lee Dumas joins the show today.
  • [6:20] The power of a proven framework.
  • [9:20] John’s journey toward productivity and success.
  • [12:30] John’s three personal strengths.
  • [14:00] Struggles in switching from digital to physical product sales.
  • [18:00] John talks about his donation efforts tied to the Freedom Journal sales.
  • [21:15] How to master productivity, discipline, and focus. The Pomodoro Technique.
  • [25:40] Win Tomorrow Today!
  • [29:40] How to self-evaluate.
  • [34:30] What’s next? What else does John see out there that need to be addressed?
  • [39:00] How to connect with John’s content.
  • [40:00] John’s advice on how to get out of the “Funk.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS320.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Are you ready to take the next step on your journey to success? What piece of wisdom or encouragement could help you as you venture out into the unknown? Scott is pumped to bring this week’s episode of The Amazing Seller where he tackles audience questions and shares his experience and insight to help entrepreneurs like you succeed. On this episode, Scott give an update on the 1K Fast Track Launch, whether to take out a loan for startup funds, the risks involved in selling an ingestible or topical product, and so much more!

Update on the Successful 1K Fast Track Launch

Scott and his close friend Dom Sugar have successfully launched and filled their first 1K Fast Track group. Scott is fired up and passionate about the potential this experiment has to impact the lives of men and women who need a push in the right direction to get their business started. Although the first group is filled, Scott and Dom are highly encouraged by the huge demand that has stemmed from this project. If you want to learn more and get your name on the list for the next round, make sure to sign up! The link is located under the “Resources” section of this post. Don’t miss out on this powerful opportunity to TAKE ACTION!

Is it wise to take out a loan to get your FBA business started?

What do you do when you’ve followed Scott’s advice from episode 312 to put together some cash to start your business but it’s still not enough? What other options are available? Should you take out a loan to get started? If these questions resonate with you, you aren’t alone. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott tackles the topic of taking out a loan for startup capital. Scott’s cautious and hard earned wisdom is extremely helpful here. Don’t miss his thoughts on borrowing money and some possible alternative options so you can get started today.

Ingestible and topical products, worth the risk?

So you have a great product that you are certain will produce value to your customers and impressive profits. Sounds like a dream come true, right? If the product involves either ingestion or topical application for the customer, Scott urges caution. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott walks through the risks and potential hazards to selling products that people will ingest or apply to their skin. Don’t be discouraged if this sounds like your product, Scott doesn't rule it out. He provides helpful wisdom that will enable you to succeed. Make sure to catch Scott’s input on this topic and so much more!

Confronting the risks and costs of starting an FBA business

Starting something new can be extremely intimidating. Let’s face it, a HUGE part of that trepidation is around the risks and unknown factors involved. Many entrepreneurs face this challenge, especially the ones starting out with launching an FBA business. So how do you handle the unknowns? What is your strategy? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott breaks the process down and gives helpful tips and tools that can start you on the road to success. Don’t miss the valuable lessons right at your fingertips!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:25] 1K Fast Track - You need to check this out!
  • [6:40] Question #1: Should I take out a loan to start a FBA business?
  • [15:20] Question #2: Is there any way to get certification for edible products? What are the risks involved?
  • [22:40] Question #3: What are the true costs involved in starting a new FBA business?

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS319.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What comes to mind when you think of marketing? Do you think of flashy advertisements on TV, in the mail, or maybe even popups? It seems that “Marketing” is a dirty word in today’s business climate. But there is NOTHING dirty about it. It’s simply storytelling. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott interviews email marketing rockstar Ryan Lee. They discuss the usefulness of email marketing, dealing with haters, and telling a compelling story. Most importantly they talk about building a relationship with your clients and how to avoid coming off as a JERK! Both Scott and Ryan are fired up and ready to GO! Are you?

Is email DEAD?

The trend right now in internet marketing is to gather an audience on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms. Email is dead, or at least that is what some might have you believe. Ryan Lee is convinced that this isn’t true. He explains that people are still drawn to the email inbox for business communication, file sharing, and more! Ryan has witnessed and continues to see the power behind email marketing. Don’t buy the hype and put all your eggs into the social media basket! Learn how to use email marketing effectively from Ryan on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

Email Marketing, Strategy trumps Tactics

When it comes time to start building your email marketing list, where do you start? How do you begin the relationship with your clients? Ryan Lee is an expert in creating compelling email marketing content. His advice is to stay away from gimmicks and “Tactics.” Ryan says that a relational approach is the key to success when it comes to email marketing. If you can get people interested in not only your product but in YOU by telling interesting and relatable stories, clients will keep coming back for more. Listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller to hear more about how you can optimize your email marketing strategy for success!

Dealing with the naysayers and haters

How do you deal with hostile feedback? Most professionals in the business world understand the value of listening to and learning from reasonable critical feedback. But what do you do with the aggressive and persistent negative responses to your business? Ryan Lee has learned that the approach that works best for him is simply ignoring it. That sounds simple but Ryan has had to be intentional about this. He doesn’t even let the negative feedback come across his desk. He has an assistant who keeps that sort of feedback away from him. You might not have the resources for an assistant at this point on your journey - so find what will work for you. Don’t get bogged down with negative and unhelpful feedback.

Marketing as Storytelling

Don’t you love it when you get to hear a good story? The best is when you hear it in person from someone close to you. How can leaders in the business world capture this sense of interest and intimacy in their storytelling? After all, that’s what marketing is; storytelling. Ryan Lee has built great success around his ability to communicate to strangers via email marketing in a way that resonates with them. He says that the key lesson he has learned in his success is being true to who he is. He has found that being honest and authentic is attractive to his client base. To hear Ryan expand on this concept and much more - don’t miss this episode of The Amazing Seller!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [1:10] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [5:50] Ryan Lee joins the show today.
  • [7:30] Ryan’s background.
  • [16:15] Diversify, diversify, diversify.
  • [17:30] Email Marketing
  • [18:40] Who is the “Face” of the company? Who is sending the email?
  • [21:00] Scott and Ryan breakdown a product example.
  • [33:45] Is email dead?
  • [38:00] How do you utilize an email list?
  • [45:00] How do you deal with the haters?
  • [53:00] Play to your strengths. Don’t try to be something you aren’t.
  • [54:20] Who does Ryan market to?
  • [56:40] How do you tell a story without boring people?
  • [1:06:00] How to connect with Ryan.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS318.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

What do you do if you have all the passion, dedication, vision, and organization to start your own business but technical nuances can sometimes overwhelm you? Don’t give up! You need experienced and thorough experts that can help you navigate complicated waters. Scott and his team at The Amazing Seller have gone through all the tough and “in the weeds” details so don’t have to! Let Scott and Chris guide you on this episode as they break down the UPC code debate, where to get UPCs, and other great business advice! Rest assured, you came to the right place.

What are your options when obtaining a UPC for your product?

If you are just getting started with selling on Amazon, a lot of the recent talk about UPCs can get really confusing. What you need to know is that UPCs are essential to selling your product on Amazon and with other retailers. You might be wondering, “Where do I get a UPC for my product?” You can get a UPC from GS1 or other Third party providers such as Snap. The big difference between these two options is that GS1 gives you ownership of your UPC. They create the unique UPC and hand it to you for a cost. Most third party providers like Snap obtain the first few digits of the UPC from GS1 and then generate the rest. You can verify via GS1 the UPCs that you obtain from Third parties to make sure you are compliant with Amazon’s standards. This might all sound very confusing but Scott and Chris take the time on this episode of The Amazing Seller to break down what this all means and how it directly impacts business owners like you.

What you need to know regarding Amazon’s policy with UPCs

Let’s cut through all the jargon and get to the clear cut information that you need to make sure you are compliant with Amazon’s standards. The last thing you want is to go into selling with Amazon or continuing to sell with them and go off of the wrong information. So here is what Amazon wants you to know regarding their recent change in UPC policy:

“We verify the authenticity of product UPCs by checking the GS1 database. UPCs that do not match the information provided by GS1 will be considered invalid. We recommend obtaining you UPCs directly from GS1 and not from other 3rd parties selling UPC licenses to ensure that the appropriate information is reflected in the GS1 database.”

This means that you CAN continue to get UPCs from 3rd parties but they MUST be verified via GS1. Anyone can verify a UPC through GS1. Don’t panic if your UPC is provided by a party like Snap. Just double check to make sure it is valid via GS1. If it’s not, there are steps you can take to address this. To hear Scott and Chris expand on this topic, listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller.

Key advice when you are just beginning your business.

Lots of people come out of the woodwork when you start a business to share in your excitement and give you their advice. How do you determine which voices to listen to? It’s kind of like parenting in a lot of ways. When you first find out that you and your spouse are expecting, everyone wants to chime in on how you should start off as new parents. But at the end of the day, the best advice is what Chris mentions on this episode of The Amazing Seller. You can take all these opinions in and consider them but ultimately, you have to do what’s best for you. When all is said and done, you are the one that has to live with the decisions that are made. Don’t allow yourself to get pressured or convinced to take advice that doesn’t sit right with you.

Don’t miss this simple step when starting your business!

When you first decide that you are going to start your own business, emotions are flying. There’s joy, excitement, anxiety, nervousness, and so much more! In the rush of emotions, sometimes you forget the little details that are vital to success. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott talks about one of the early mistakes he made with his photography business that cost time and money him right when things were taking off. Don’t miss out on this great advice. Learn from Scott’s mistake and find out how you can start your business off with your best foot forward!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:20] Let’s talk UPCs
  • [3:30] Where you can get UPCs
  • [9:00] Chris and Scott discuss Pat’s post about UPCs
  • [14:00] Renewal fees
  • [14:30] Amazon’s policy regarding UPCs
  • [21:30] If you are just starting out, here’s what you should do.
  • [29:00] Chris’ advice - Do what’s best for you.
  • [30:20] What to do when you are coming up with a business name.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS317.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Most people slow down as they approach Friday but not Scott! He is fired up and ready to go. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott addresses some important questions regarding Facebook Ads, selling on different channels, suppressed listings, and so much more! Scott also gives an update on the status of his “Flow” and the temptations he’s overcome this past week. Make sure to listen as Scott challenges The Amazing Seller tribe to pay attention to what “Noise” you are letting into your mind. This Friday’s episode is a great way to kick off the weekend, don’t miss it!

Removing the “Noise”

Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Where did that thought come from?” Do you find yourself easily sidetracked by all the distractions around you? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott takes a moment to address what might be causing these common issues. He is convinced that the main reason you face distractions or “Random thoughts” is because you aren’t paying close enough attention to the substance you let into your mind. This might sound weird, but it’s true! What you consume intellectually has a direct effect on what goes on inside your mind. This isn’t a debated issue when it comes to diet and nutrition - why should it be a surprise when the same principles are applied to thought life as well? Listen to this episode to hear how Scott has found success silencing the “Noise” and how you can too!

Looking forward to philanthropic opportunities

For many people part of The Amazing Seller tribe, the goal is financial independence. While that is a wonderful goal, there are others who have their sights set even higher. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you will hear from an enthusiastic member of the tribe who hopes to help others with his success. Scott then launches into a dream he has to participate in linking a successful product to a worthwhile cause. This is what success and financial freedom can bring you - the opportunity to dream big and get a vision for helping others!

Effective product advertising on Social Media and beyond

Every seller wants their product to catch fire and bring success. In addition to the standard process and methods Scott and Chris tackle, down the line there are ways to engage a Social Media audience for your product. Where do you start? When do you start? These are great questions and it’s important to remember that timing and strategy are key as your product gains success and takes off. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott address these questions and how to begin Social Media engagement. Don’t miss out on Scott’s valuable insight!

Dealing with Amazon Suppressing your listing

Imagine you are chugging along and your product is taking off, busting all your expectations. Sounds great, doesn’t it? What if, right in the middle of all that excitement and success, you find out that Amazon has suppressed your listing? Panic sets in. Then you find out that other listings that sell almost the exact same product that you were selling are still up and making money! What do you do? On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott addresses this very scenario. His wisdom and helpful insight are on full display as he tackles this obstacle with all the experience he has gained. There are many reasons something like this might happen, it’s good to have resources like this one - just in case!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:20] Removing the noise.
  • [5:00] Getting into your flow - Update
  • [7:00] A success story from an audience member.
  • [7:30] Tieing the sale of a product to a great cause.
  • [11:00] Question #1: How do you utilize Facebook for advertising your product?
  • [17:15] Question #2: How do you choose which venue to promote your product through?
  • [23:50] Question #3: What do I do when Amazon suppresses my page? Should I move on?
  • [32:30] Remember, choose wisely about what you let into your brain!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS316.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

Does the recent news from Amazon regarding increased inventory storage fees have you worried? Are you scrambling to figure out what you are going to do about your shrinking profit margins? Don’t panic! Let Scott and Chris guide you through the information and give you some tips to understanding and dealing with storage costs. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott and Chris will discuss tools that can help with inventory projection, how to plan ahead, and even take some questions from the Facebook Live session! Make sure to catch their helpful solutions.

Understanding the storage rate changes from Amazon

Whenever there is a sudden change or a change you didn't see coming, you’ll experience a bit of shell shock. It can leave you reeling and trying to make sense of what is going on. Many Amazon sellers are facing this situation with the current change to the Amazon inventory fees. Scott and Chris have the experience to walk through what all of this change means for you. Don’t let panic and fear set in. Take a deep breath and listen. The changes are simply Amazon’s way of expediting their sellers. They need to keep product moving so they are increasing long term storage rates. What this forces you as an Amazon seller to do is to think carefully about how much inventory you really need for the next three to four months at the Amazon storage location. If you think about it, this change can spur you on to be a more shrewd business owner. Listen to Scott and Chris break it all down on this episode of The Amazing Seller!

A helpful tool to project inventory needs

Information can be a helpful tool if you know how to use it. The wisdom to decipher and understand raw data comes often to those who have studied it and have spent a lot of time interacting with it. For most people, this seems completely out of reach and intimidating. Having one part to a two part solution isn’t only intimidating, it's frustrating. So when a tool, a tip, or person comes along to show you the way, you jump at the opportunity. That’s exactly what Scott did when he started using the online tool “Fetcher.” Scott knows a successful idea when he sees one and he has learned the value of using Fetcher. It’s tool that helps you makes sense of all the inventory data you have at your fingertips. To get ahead of the competition, Scott recommends checking out Fetcher.

A lesson with inventory learned the hard way

Some people have to learn the hard way. Scott has had his fair share of easy and hard lessons in life. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Scott shares a lesson he learned from having some troublesome inventory that wasn’t selling quickly enough in Amazon’s storage. He took a great opportunity that Amazon was promoting which allowed him to pull most of this troublesome product at no cost. From that experience, Scott has learned some valuable lessons regarding packaging, inventory costs, and much more. To hear Scott expand on this lesson, make sure to catch this episode!

How should newcomers approach inventory costs and volume?

When you are just getting started on a new venture like selling on Amazon, unknown variables can be terrifying. That is a huge reason why Scott and Chris started their efforts toward coaching and helping people get the hang of this exciting industry! They are here to help break down the process and make it easier for entrepreneurial minded individuals to find success and financial independence. So when a new challenge like the rising costs of Amazon storage fees presents itself, Scott and Chris want to remove the fear and intimidation that might bring. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, Chris has some great advice he wants to share with sellers just starting out. If that’s you, make sure to listen in and find out how you can be smart with your inventory projections!

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

  • [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast!
  • [1:25] Scott welcome Chris to the show.
  • [2:00] Chris and Scott jump into talking about storage fees.
  • [5:15] Understanding how Amazon is setting its storage fee rates.
  • [6:50] Scott talks about a tool he’s been using called “Fetcher.”
  • [9:20] How billing for storage fees works with Amazon.
  • [10:45] Scott and Chris start taking questions from Facebook Live.
  • [10:55] Have you used the inventory age report or any of the inventory reports that are available inside of Amazon?
  • [11:50] What Fetcher can do over Amazon’s inventory dashboard tool?
  • [15:55] Scott talks about a time when he had to pull inventory from Amazon storage.
  • [21:10] How to project how much inventory you should have stored with Amazon.
  • [27:35] How long can you store inventory at Amazon before the costs start rising?
  • [32:20] For someone just starting out, how should they think about these storage issues?
  • [38:00] Know your numbers!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Direct download: TAS315.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30am EDT

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

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

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

Creating a Market Map

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

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

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

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

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

Getting inside a customer’s head with a PLAN

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

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

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

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

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

Validating a product: The Pat Flynn approach

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

Staying in “The flow”

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

How do you add color variations to a product listing?

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

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

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

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

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

Should you pursue product reviewers who contact you via Amazon?

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

Afraid of launching a DUD product? Stop making excuses!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

Are there certain states that are better for entrepreneurs?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

How Ryan started thinking about creating a freight forwarding company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to optimize a product bundle effectively.

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

Weird things happen when the spotlight shines on you.

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

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

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

Why you have to just start. No excuses.

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

The power of joining Facebook groups surrounding your product niche.

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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